Chrono results

[JamieC]

I did some load testing today at the range, after that I had some ammo left over, pulled out the chronograph, wondering what ya'll think. As a base, the ZQI ammo chrono'd @ 2902fps. I reloaded some Everglades 75gr HPBT using Reloder 15. 23.2gr produced an average of 2408.3fps. 23.8gr produced 2479.8fps, 24.3gr produced 2536.6fps. The last two produced groups of an inch and an inch and a quarter, (best four out of five) @ 100 yards. Using H335, 60gr Hornady 60gr SP, 23.0gr got me to 2529.2fps, 23.4gr got to 2529.2fps. I had one round left using Winchester 748 for the first time. With a 55gr VMax, it hit 2689fps. BTW, the gun is a TWS I built from a kit, 1:9 twist, 16" barrel. Pretty happy with the most of the groups today, I feel the ones I chrono'd are on the slow side.

 

[JamieC]

Nobody's got an opinion? From what I've been reading, most manufacturer's specs on velocity are using 20-24" barrels, so some of the loss of velocity is there. The ZQI ammo spec @ 3,000fps. Mine tested @ 2902 avg. Using my handguns, the different ammo I reload is all about where it's supposed to be so the chronograph seems ok. I'm about 250fps behind the Alliant site info, they were using a 24" barrel. According to the Hornady manual, H335, 22.9gr, 60grSP, 26" barrel, they report 3,000fps, nearly 400fps faster than what I 'see'.

 

[kcofohio]

What scale/dispenser are you using? Do you have check weights to verify your scale is accurate?

 

[rsrocket1]

The ZQI ammo is listed at 3000 for a 20-24" barrel and you are getting 2902 out of a 16" barrel?

I would bet that the ZQI was chrono'ed with a 24" barrel so you are doing just fine @ 2902.

Quickload says that 25g H335 under a 55g fmjbt would give 3080 with a 20" barrel and 2911 out of a 16" barrel so it is completely believable.

More important: how are the groups with that ammo? Looks like your homebrew ammo is completely acceptable so why not stick with that?

 

[JamieC]

What scale/dispenser are you using? Do you have check weights to verify your scale is accurate?

I don't have a weight check, haven't really had the need, (till now). All my reloading has pretty much worked out to the speeds I expected. I should make sure. I'm using a Lee scale BTW.

 

[JamieC]

The ZQI ammo is listed at 3000 for a 20-24" barrel and you are getting 2902 out of a 16" barrel?

I would bet that the ZQI was chrono'ed with a 24" barrel so you are doing just fine @ 2902.

Quickload says that 25g H335 under a 55g fmjbt would give 3080 with a 20" barrel and 2911 out of a 16" barrel so it is completely believable.

More important: how are the groups with that ammo? Looks like your homebrew ammo is completely acceptable so why not stick with that?

I'm getting good groups with the ZQI ammo, bought a bunch when it was on sale at Wal Mart. My gun really likes it. I'm working on some new loads using H335, CFE223, Reloder 15 and recently Winchester 748. The gun is capable of 1" groups at 100 yards. Last week I had some around 2 1/4" @ 200 yards.

 

[rsrocket1]

Strangely enough, my 20" AR likes Federal bulk and PMC Bronze the best and those chrony'ed at 3000 fps so my first work ups were to try to match the velocity. I used the once fired PMC cases, 55g Xtreme bullets and worked up to 3000 fps using H335.

Fairly evident what this gun likes.

 

[JamieC]

My gun really likes the 55gr VMax bullets, the ZQI shoots much better for me than the Privi Partisan, American Eagle that I have on hand now. The 75gr HPBT I got from Everglades is working real well. The Hornady 60gr SP aren't bad, just not at the top of things that work in my gun. Since I like SP ammo for SD, I'll work and see if I can't make 'em shoot better. I shouldn't complain really, they will shoot 2-3" groups @ 100 yards now. I didn't think my groups were all that good till I actually measured them, pleasantly surprised. Still not sure on the actual measuring process. I've read that out of a 5 shot group, 'generally', the three best are what the gun is capable of, the other two are human error. Sure does make a difference, LOL