223 Mini Mauser

[303 hunter]

I recently bought a M85 Mini Mauser in 223. I added Warne steel bases,and a Nikon 2-7x32 scope. The rifling is advertised as 305mm; which coverts to 1 in 12 if I did the math right. After a careful break in,I started shooting for groups. With the 1 in 12 barrel, I was sure it would like 55 gr. bullets. All I could get was a 3" group. I also had some 62 gr. bear soft points. The groups shrank to 1" after some adjustment for bullet weight. The 55 gr. bullets were Federal and PMC fmj. My buddy has a CZ 527 in 223 with the same barrel twist that loves the 55's, but won't shoot the 62's. Any ideas on this?

 

[Bushpilot]

I'd try another 55 gr. It should shoot them just fine. Maybe it was just a coincidence that it didn't shoot the others very well.

 

[LoonWulf]

try softpoint, or match bullets in ALL weights upto 60ish. I dont think a 1-12 will stabilize a 68, but i could be wrong lol.

Your rifle might well like a different bullet then your friends, or what you have fed it so far.
My old 700 .223 (1-12) would shoot 55grn balistics into itty bitty groups, but wouldnt hold a decent pattern with hornady, or speer FMJs. It also shot the 52grn hollow point Federal AEs really well, but wouldnt shoot the FMJs. Oddly enough it shot best with 64grn powerpoint factory ammo, killed many a deer with that load.

 

[greyling22]

mine (custom stocked charles daly) seems to like a 50 better than a 55. it will cloverleaf at 100 with a varmint nightmare jsp over varget. most loads seem to do 1" or so. My barrel heats up very fast. 3 good shots and the 4th is way wide.