Latest 223 range report

[kmw1954]

Finally found time to get back out to the range to work on my load ladder for my Savage Axis 223. The components being used are Hornady FMJBT 62gr and the powder is Ramshot TAC with a real mix of primers. Primers so far have been CCI #41 which this gun absolutely disliked, Some CCI 400, Federal and now also some Remington 7 1/2.

Last batch consisted of 22.5, 22.8 23.1, 23.4 and 23.7 gr. of powder. The 23.1 looked very good and the 23.7 looked even better with 12 round groups. So this last loading I loaded 18 more 23.7, 23.8 and 23.9.... The 23.9 were all high right and had the largest spread. The 23.7 and the 23.8 was hard to tell them apart. On last target I shot 3X3 groups at the same bull with 3 bulls on the target each load getting it's own bull. The 23.7 and 23.8 each put 6 out of 9 inside a 2" bull. The 23.9 only had 3 in the bull. These targets also have a 3/4" white center bull inside the 2" red bull. The 23.7 load had one inside the white and two touching. the 23.8 had one touching the white and the 23.9 had one.

So again as I have only been shooting a rifle since September not really certain how much is still me needing more trigger time. But at this point I will load more of these 23.7/23.8 loads and use these as my base load as they also seem to be more accurate than the factory loads I was shooting.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Sounds like you are getting dialed in pretty good. More trigger time is always a plus, did my best shooting with multiple range sessions per week. Could practice techniques and maintain them better than in one long range session.

Fmjbt bullets are not the most accurate so if you're moa or better you found their sweet spot. Keep us posted on on your progress.

 

[kmw1954]

Not to MOA YET but I think much of that is me. These seem to be shooting fairly well for a 10cent bullet.

 

[Bartojc]

Fmjbt bullets are not the most accurate so if you're moa or better you found their sweet spot

Agree with this. Sounds like you are close.

-Jeff

 

[Charlie98]

I've always shot open sights or peeps... it was a bit of a learning curve moving to a scope. My Savage also has the Accutrigger, which takes some getting used to. Just keep at it... it sounds like you have the cartridge down, time to work on your shooting technique!

 

[kmw1954]

Just keep at it... it sounds like you have the cartridge down, time to work on your shooting technique!

I have to agree completely. This loading may not be the exact most accurate there is but for now it is something to work with and build my marksmanship. I may need to alter or change stocks as yesterday I noticed I wasn't quite repeating my hold and my cheek wasn't always firmly on the stock.

 

[Charlie98]

I noticed I wasn't quite repeating my hold and my cheek wasn't always firmly on the stock.

I need to build or install a cheek riser on my Savage... I know my head isn't locked down on the stock like it needs to be. I also need to establish a reference point for repeatability.

 

[stillquietvoice]

may need to alter or change stocks as yesterday I noticed I wasn't quite repeating my hold and my cheek wasn't always firmly on the stock

I use a buttstock cartridge holder and several layers of foam along the top to get a better cheek weld. Have to replace one cartridge holder after 4 years of use it's wearing out.

 

[kmw1954]

I use a buttstock cartridge holder and several layers of foam along the top to get a better cheek weld. Have to replace one cartridge holder after 4 years of use it's wearing out.

I was just looking at those. The Comb Riser Kit w/o loops.

 

[kmw1954]

Actually I was just up in my room making more bullets until the wife came home. Lights are still on and the powder measure is still full. Back to it after dinner. Loading up more of the 23.8gr TAC.

 

[2ndtimer]

Actually I was just up in my room making more bullets until the wife came home. Lights are still on and the powder measure is still full. Back to it after dinner. Loading up more of the 23.8gr TAC.

You might even consider going a little higher with your powder charge. I have loaded many hundreds of the Hornady 62 gr BTHP with 24.5 gr of Ramshot TAC and have gone as high as 25.8 gr in A/R’s without problems. It seems the A/R’s we were shooting like the 24.5 gr load the best as accuracy seemed to deteriorate the higher we went. (Still okay accuracy and pressure wise, but to keep groups around one MOA at 100 yards, 24.5 seemed to be the sweet spot.)

 

[kmw1954]

2ndtimer, I fully understand and do accept that there is most likely a higher accuracy node in here and at some time I may go looking for it but for now this middle node will work and I can use it economically to build trigger time and work on my marksmanship. For now I need to work on some of these pulled, dropped and jerked shots so I can judge a little better what's me and what's the ammo.

Though all-in-all I was pretty pleased with the results from yesterday. Both from the gum/ammo and from me!