Reduced Rifle Load Accuracy?

[Jaywalker]

Do you normally sacrifice any accuracy by loading down to the bottom of the Minimum - Maximum load range? I understand this question is too general to permit a real definitive answer, but I'm looking for general indications anyway.

I'm considering re-starting reloading after 25 years, and I didn't understand much of it back then. I'd really like a (very) short action .221 Fireball, and have posted to the Gunsmithing forum a question about rechambering the Hornet to .221, and got some good ideas. Another possibility is to buy a good .222 and just reduce the loads down to 2,700-2,800 fps. That would reduce the noise, give me all the performance I want, and have a real advantage of not requiring gunsmith involvement.

The question is - when I reduce thre noise in the .222, do I also reduce its famed accuracy? What do you think?

Jaywalker

 

[critter]

I have no experience with the .222. HOWEVER, in many calibers I have tried reduced loads 30-06, .223, 35 Whelen, 45-70. In almost all these cases, accuracy was really good with the reduced loads along with the benefits of low recoil, low noise, etc. If I were you, I'd sure give it a try. Please use PUBLISHED loads, however, as SOME really low loads can cause problems. You DO NOT want to stick a bullet in the barrel and you DO NOT want to have a low-powder 'detonation' type explosion which is SOMETIMES SAID TO BE POSSIBLE in large cases using slow powders. Best of luck.

 

[E357]

Reduced loads in those small cases work well but please use quick powders. I've used "target" 357 loads and pistol powders in my Hornets for practice when I don't want to make much noise and the accuracy is still there as long as you don't want to shoot over 100 yards. At 50 yards I get all the holes touching with the 40 gr. VMax and my 10 inch Contender.

It very similar to shooting a .22 Magnum that you can tailor to your specific gun.

I read on one of the benchrest boards that a lot of people play like this with the .223 and get super accuracy at the 50 yard line. I think the wind would be a real problem further out bcause of the low speed and light projectile.

Elliot

 

[Jaywalker]

I'll certainly stick to the range between the Min and Max recommended in the manual - I remember the flap about reduced Bulleye load (2.7 g) possibly causing detonation in .38 Spec cases from Way Back Then.

Using the faster burning powders I hadn't considered though, since I planned to stick to the min-max ranges. I know my manuals don't specify burning speed - where can I get that info?

Jaywalker

 

[Steve Smith]

Actually most manuals have a burn rate chart.

 

[Jaywalker]

Obviously in those parts I HAVEN'T read. Thanks, I'll look tonight.

Jaywalker

 

[E357]

From Hodgdon

Powder Burn Rate Chart:


Elliot

 

[swifter]

I've had good, but not excellent accuracy in my .222 using around 10 gr. Blue Dot and a 40 gr bullet. Regard 12 gr as absolute max, and work up, this is not a low pressure load!
Its also positional, elevate the muzzle and "bump" the rifle to settle the propellant around the primer for consistency.
YMMV!!
Tom

 

[wingman]

In my loading experience I found that most guns,(pistol & rifle) are more
accurate with reduce loads, sometimes
by a small percentage of max. If shooting
for accuracy, max. loads for me are
unnecessary.
For some shooters they just like that
big boom.

 

[popbang]

In 222 I use a lot of reduced loads. The idea was to get down about 1500 fps for use on small game. Usually I load a 55 grain FMJ over a light does of 2400. For light loads 2400 works well.

 

[Jaywalker]

Good info.

I just had a BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious). The goal here is to replicate the Hornet's velocities and noise signatures. Even with the loads I found duplicating the Hornet's velocity, these loads in .222 use about twice the Hornet's 12 grains of powder! Will this not result in, roughly, twice the noise?

Jaywalker

 

[swifter]

In the .222, I believe the Blue Dot loads burn completely in about 16" of barrel. This will reduce muzzle blast/flash, as the gases are no longer burning, and are cooling as they exit the muzzle. YMMV really applies here, but lower charges are not as loud as a .22 LR from my 24" barrel.
And yeah, the velocity runs between Hornet and Bee.
Tom