bikemutt
Member
I hand loaded some .223 cartridges for my Savage 10 bolt rifle with Hornady ELD Match 73 grain bullets today. After taking some measurements with the Hornady OAL gauge, it became apparent the bullets seated to either Hornady spec, or SAAMI spec would be way off the lands for this rifle.
I loaded 30 rounds to SAAMI COL of 2.260 and 10 rounds 30/1000 off the lands for this rifle. That split the difference between Hornady's recommendation for 20-40 thousandths bullet jump.
As an aside, the SAAMI-max seated rounds were good, this is an accurate rifle that digests most good ammo well.
So, the ingredients for this recipe:
Black Hills twice loaded brass, neck sized, Lee Precision
Cases trimmed to 1.750
CCI BR-4 small rifle primers
22.5 grains Varget
Hornady ELD Match 73 grain bullets seated to COL 2.335
Nasty medium to heavy rain, not much wind, cold
I was pleased with the results, only 2 5-shot groups I know, but this looks promising. Figured a share was in order.
I loaded 30 rounds to SAAMI COL of 2.260 and 10 rounds 30/1000 off the lands for this rifle. That split the difference between Hornady's recommendation for 20-40 thousandths bullet jump.
As an aside, the SAAMI-max seated rounds were good, this is an accurate rifle that digests most good ammo well.
So, the ingredients for this recipe:
Black Hills twice loaded brass, neck sized, Lee Precision
Cases trimmed to 1.750
CCI BR-4 small rifle primers
22.5 grains Varget
Hornady ELD Match 73 grain bullets seated to COL 2.335
Nasty medium to heavy rain, not much wind, cold
I was pleased with the results, only 2 5-shot groups I know, but this looks promising. Figured a share was in order.