I have been at this for a few years now and tried different things such as powder, bullets, primers, cases all seeking to tame the accuracy monster and the other day at the range i was able to load 55gr v max with 24gr benchmark and send 5 in a nickel at 100yards. I've got this load to shoot tighter before but i must have been off the other day. I was invited to do some varmint hunting last night and loaded up 20 55gr v max 223rem with the 24gr of benchmark and headed to the field not know what to expect. I wanted to shoot these loads out to 200-300yards and see how accuracy was before heading to the field but last night wouldn't allow it.
We parked the truck atop a hill and began glassing the bean fields and we noticed a large woodchuck ranged at around 230yards. I said well its now or never lets take our first animal with my reloads and see if i can even hit the dang thing. It got spooked and ran into the woods but another big one came out about 250yards away if i remember my spotters range right. I attempted to shoot with the bipod in sitting position but it was too wobbly therefore i went prone. I adjusted the turrets for 2 inch elevation from my 100yard zero and the woodchuck came out and i fired and missed. I said well they must not group well at this range. He gave me another shot and i fired and dropped him in his tracks. my 55gr v max found its mark and performed well. I was so ecstatic words couldn't describe it. I usually get a great sense of pride when punching paper with my reloads and being able to outshoot factory ammo but last night changed all that. first animal taken at over 200yards with my own loads. I will have to go up in charge a little bit until i hit another accuracy node because the v max didn't perform like factory so I'm sure its a little slow.
Thanks to all you guys here on THR who have helped me the last few years in my reloading journey it had paid off in more ways than one.
We parked the truck atop a hill and began glassing the bean fields and we noticed a large woodchuck ranged at around 230yards. I said well its now or never lets take our first animal with my reloads and see if i can even hit the dang thing. It got spooked and ran into the woods but another big one came out about 250yards away if i remember my spotters range right. I attempted to shoot with the bipod in sitting position but it was too wobbly therefore i went prone. I adjusted the turrets for 2 inch elevation from my 100yard zero and the woodchuck came out and i fired and missed. I said well they must not group well at this range. He gave me another shot and i fired and dropped him in his tracks. my 55gr v max found its mark and performed well. I was so ecstatic words couldn't describe it. I usually get a great sense of pride when punching paper with my reloads and being able to outshoot factory ammo but last night changed all that. first animal taken at over 200yards with my own loads. I will have to go up in charge a little bit until i hit another accuracy node because the v max didn't perform like factory so I'm sure its a little slow.
Thanks to all you guys here on THR who have helped me the last few years in my reloading journey it had paid off in more ways than one.