I've got a CZ 550 Varmint with a 1:14 barrel. I intend to use it for groundhog hunting.
I bought 80 rounds of Winchester white box 45 grain jacketed hollow points for the brass. After shooting the first 40 rounds sighting in and some paper punching, I worked up a couple of pressure series using 52 grain Sierra Match King HPBT and 45 grain Sierra Varminter SP. I used H380 with both. I bought the Lee Deluxe Die set and was neck sizing only (unfortunately the neck size die broke after only 43 rounds).
I loaded 5 cartridges for each powder charge, going from the starting charge all the way up to the highest non-compressed load. I saw no signs that any of these loads was causing too much pressure. The best group I got was with the 52 grain Match Kings and 38 grains of H380. However, the factory ammo seems to shoot just as well if not better. Do I just need to shoot more groups with the Match Kings, or should I try another powder or some different bullets? I have IMR4064 and IMR3031 which I use for other calibers and I am thinking about buying some Sierra Blitzkings, Hornady A-Max/V-Max and or Nosler Ballistic tips. Any particular bullet weight anyone can recommend?
I bought 80 rounds of Winchester white box 45 grain jacketed hollow points for the brass. After shooting the first 40 rounds sighting in and some paper punching, I worked up a couple of pressure series using 52 grain Sierra Match King HPBT and 45 grain Sierra Varminter SP. I used H380 with both. I bought the Lee Deluxe Die set and was neck sizing only (unfortunately the neck size die broke after only 43 rounds).
I loaded 5 cartridges for each powder charge, going from the starting charge all the way up to the highest non-compressed load. I saw no signs that any of these loads was causing too much pressure. The best group I got was with the 52 grain Match Kings and 38 grains of H380. However, the factory ammo seems to shoot just as well if not better. Do I just need to shoot more groups with the Match Kings, or should I try another powder or some different bullets? I have IMR4064 and IMR3031 which I use for other calibers and I am thinking about buying some Sierra Blitzkings, Hornady A-Max/V-Max and or Nosler Ballistic tips. Any particular bullet weight anyone can recommend?