Hand load for Wby. Sub-MOA varmint special .223

[greedycapitalist]

I have a Wby. Sub-MOA Varmint special in .223 Rem. It has a 1 in 12" twist barrel. I have the following powder: H335, H4895,BL-c(2),H414, H4831sc.
I have used magnum primers for the ball powders as per the direction of the Speer manual # 13 that was included with my RCBS reloading kit. I shot 1/2 MOA groups with Remington 55 gr BTHP factory loads but they are too expensive to shoot as often as I like to shoot (thus the reloading kit). I have not been able to duplicate those groups with handloaded 55gr bullets( remington 55gr hp, sierra 55gr hp, nosler 55gr bal.tip). I have tried probably 75 different powder/bullet loads with not much success ( read sub MOA). I am meticulous about all measurements, tightened scope and base screws, cleaned the copper fouling after each 10 shots, all the stuff the bench rest guys at the range say to do(they are most eager to give advise). If any one can help it would be most appreciated.

 

[rcmodel]

Wore the barrel out from too much load testing & cleaning?

Seriously, buy another box of the Remington factory loads and see if they still shoot as good as they did at first.

I suspect it is a problem completely unrelated to your handloads.
Perhaps loose or mis-torqued action screws, bedding, a scope went south on you, or?

If Nosler B-T's won't shoot sub-MOA with some H-335 powder charge & standard primers, it is not the loads.

BTW: (I am not convinced Magnum primers are needed or desirable for best accuracy in the small .223 case.)

rc

 

[greedycapitalist]

Is it possible to wear out a barrel after 500-600 rounds and cleaning with a bronze brush?

 

[rcmodel]

NO. That was a joke.

It is possible to wear one out by cleaning from the muzzle and letting the cleaning rod joints & handle ding the muzzle crown though.

rc

 

[NCsmitty]

I applaud your persistence, as that is necessary in some cases.
You have some of the best selection of powder for good velocity and usually accuracy. H335, H4895 and BLC2 are great in 223. H414 and H4831SC are a bit too slow burn wise so concentrate on the first 3 mentioned.
Your good on the primers with ball powders.
The factory load that you shoot well is probably using using Remington Accutips, I'm guessing. Those bullets are hard to get as components, in fact a lot of the good bullets are hard to get right now.
I would suggest The Hornady 52gr A-Max, if you can get them. Perhaps one of the 52-53gr flat based match bullets may work as well.

I'm thinking lighter bullets here to match the 1in12 twist better.

I'm also thinking too much cleaning between shots, and would extend the cleaning to at least 40 rounds. I've found the barrel needs some fouling to settle in for good groups.
If you can chronograph the factory rounds, it will give you a benchmark to work with in developing something similar.
I use the 52gr A-Max in my 22-250 with under 1/2" the norm.
Good luck.

NCsmitty

 

[greedycapitalist]

Thank you much for the tips. I have the H414 and h4831sc for my '06. I'll try those those bullets you mentioned. Those factory loads were the accutips I think. Darn good round but they go for $27+ per box.