Anschutz rifle singing the 22 hornet blues

[theCZ]

Ok folks, first off I debated whether to post this under this group or the handloading group, since my problem deals with both issues. So here's the deal, I have an Anschutz 22-Hornet that is giving me problems. I took up handloading specifically for this rifle. I was given this rifle by my grandfather who inherited it about 20 years ago. It has dual set triggers and seems to be a pretty good gun. It's wearing a leupold vx II 3-9x. I took up reloading because factory ammunition is very expensive, and it's also seated too far into the case for my barrel and accuracy is very poor with factory ammo of all varieties (best group with hornady ammo was 6" at 100 yards). So I started out with 45g hornady sp's, IMR 4198, Federal gold match primers with bullets seated out to best length. I was experiencing lots of vertical stringing at 100 yards (about 5 inches or so with five shots). So I removed this little round lug thing that was dove-tailed into the barrel about two or three inches from the breech end of the barrel. I also sanded down the stock so it was free floated. I went out with ten rounds of angry little hornets (winchester brass, fed. primers, 11.0 grain 4198, 45g noslers). Previously this combo had been the best for me, but still a lot of vertical stringing. So this afternoon at the range, no wind, temperature about 28 degrees f. First target, four shots 100 yards; two shots touching horizontally, two shots touching four inches directly above the first two. The same thing happened with the next target. Scope mounts and rings are tight, trigger is very light and I've learned to handle the 1oz or so pull once the back trigger is set. Any thoughts what this could be? Should I put back the disk that was dove-tailed into the bottom of the barrel? I have also tried different powder and different sized bullets. I'm just about going crazy over this and ready to save up for a nice .223! I would really like this hornet to start working for me.

Let me say right now that any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
If needed, I can take digital pictures of the rifle, targets, ammo, and anything else really related to this rifle.

 

[mete]

Vertical stringing is usually a problem of bedding. If there are no other obvious problems I would glass bed the rifle or have it done. An Anshutz in 22hornet should be capable of 1" groups.

 

[Matt G]

Something's up-- my NEF HandiRifle will give me 1" with factory Remington.

Please post a picture of the rifle, and groups.

Are the rings set as wide as possible, given the scope and mount?

What's your COAL? Case OAL?

Full length or neck sizing your cases?

 

[theCZ]

I'll get a picture up hopefully this afternoon.

-COAL=1.704 (Found COAL for this rifle by using a once-fired case, bullet, calipers, and a marker, as per instructions in the nosler 5th edition reloading manual pg. 42).
-COL= As for COL, I have not been trimming cases to a certain length, but since I've been testing only batches of 10 or 15 at a time I seat the bullet in steps and taking the cartridge out and measuring it until I get the proper COAL.
-I'm using RCBS Full Length Resize dies and full length resizing my cases. I'm measuring each charge with the 5-0-5 scale that came with my rock chucker.

 

[theCZ]

Ok folks, update. I loaded up some more 45grain Nosler Solid Base Hornets with 11.0 grains IMR 4198. I shot it at fifty instead of one hundred yards. group size was .54", which is good enough for me at the moment. I still have to glass bed the action, but I think that's a winter break project.

 

[Gordon]

My Exemplar .22 hornet puts then into .75" at 100 yards with some factory ammo I've tried. My handload of 40 grain A-max over 12.5 grain of Lil gun does about .5", If I hold em good.!

 

[theCZ]

Thanks for the recipe, I'm gonna give Lil' gun a shot, I've heard lots of good stuff about that powder.

 

[Sparky]

May want to check the bore diameter. There has been a good bit written about variation in Hornet bore dimensions , especially between European &domestic guns. The bores run .222, .224etc ,etc. Your Anschutz sounds like it's old enough to have the "big" bore dimensions. IIRC bullet makers used to supply Hornet specific bullets because of the bore variations.