Think I found my load!

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788Ham

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I took my .223 rifle, 788 Remington, to the range today, wasn't too pleased with it the other day. The other day I shot some loads I've shot for a long time, 52 gr. Sierra BTHP, with a charge of IMR 3031 powder, looked as if it were patterning a shotgun, { not really, but I'm a perfectionist }. Todays load was 55 gr. BTHP, Mid-Way "Dog Town" bullets and a charge of H332. After 4 shots to adjust my scope from the previous outing, I shot 8 rds into a spot below the bull, not bad at all, I then adjusted scope up 3 clicks and shot one more round. I marked off the shots on target, went back and shot 4 more rounds. I was astounded when I went to check the target, "not possible" ! I measured when I got home with calipers, .498, not quite 1/2 " . Now my question comes into play here: Do you then subtract the bullet diameter, .224 from that number to get the MOA? If so, that MOA is .274 !! I am totally stoked about this load if this is correct in my assumption. Will wait to hear from the gang.
 
Pictures or it DIDNT Happen:neener:


what Grain of Powder did ya Use... i am Using WC844 and curious where you found yer sweet spot..

Love the Dogtowns Myself.... had some Great shooting today as well... was windy so dosent look as good on paper :cool: But was Fun
 
I'm not intelligent enough to upload the pics... or I would.

The powder charge is 23.0 gr. , you're on your own as far as safety !!!

The hole I shot from the previous 8 rds, was measured at .687, just below the one I mentioned.
 
My dealings with WC844 vs H335 is WC844 is 1-2gr heavier.... so my recent loads at 24.6 are just about right...

Enjoy those Dogtowns... great Bullet
 
788Ham said:
I took my .223 rifle, 788 Remington, to the range today, wasn't too pleased with it the other day. The other day I shot some loads I've shot for a long time, 52 gr. Sierra BTHP, with a charge of IMR 3031 powder, looked as if it were patterning a shotgun, { not really, but I'm a perfectionist }. Todays load was 55 gr. BTHP, Mid-Way "Dog Town" bullets and a charge of H332. After 4 shots to adjust my scope from the previous outing, I shot 8 rds into a spot below the bull, not bad at all, I then adjusted scope up 3 clicks and shot one more round. I marked off the shots on target, went back and shot 4 more rounds. I was astounded when I went to check the target, "not possible" ! I measured when I got home with calipers, .498, not quite 1/2 " . Now my question comes into play here: Do you then subtract the bullet diameter, .224 from that number to get the MOA? If so, that MOA is .274 !! I am totally stoked about this load if this is correct in my assumption. Will wait to hear from the gang.
Click to expand...

That's H335 correct? Or did you mean H322?
 
You beat me to it. Is it H335 or H322? If it is H335, I am not that surprised that you are shooting good groups. My best .223 groups are with H335 or WC844 and 40gr Nosler Varmeggedon bullets. Five shot group at 100 yards you can cover with a nickel using my 1/12 twist bolt rifle. Congratulations on finding your rifles "sweet spot".
 
I don't understand.
The OP said H322, there is such a thing as H322, and 23 gr is a middle of the road load for 55 gr .223.

I've got some low end .22-250 ready to shoot with it next week.
 
I don't doubt your gun shooting that tight of groups. My 788 in .223 shoots 1/2" groups all day long with a Sierra 52 gr HP, 26.0 grs of H335 and Remington 7 1/2 primers. It's kind of fun watching other shooters trying to shoot as well with their heavy barrel varminters that cost three times as much :D
 
Jim Watson said:
I don't understand.
The OP said H322, there is such a thing as H322, and 23 gr is a middle of the road load for 55 gr .223.

I've got some low end .22-250 ready to shoot with it next week.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, might be a typo or something. BTW, reread his post.
 
H322 is the powder I used in these loads, I hit the "3" too many times, sorry about that.

Bush Pilot, You are correct in that statement! I use CCI 400 SRM primers, the brass I used was range pickup's, nothing fancy. This little rifle has shot astounding groups since I got it, today was an exception with no wind, 74 degrees, my old eyes holding up. I bought mine for $135.00 12 years ago at a GS.

I've used 3031 for years, just tried the H322 on a whim, someone had told me to try it, glad I did.
 
Jim Watson said:
I don't understand.
The OP said H322, there is such a thing as H322, and 23 gr is a middle of the road load for 55 gr .223.

I've got some low end .22-250 ready to shoot with it next week.
Click to expand...
Actually he said H332, not H322. That's why I asked. For a 55gr bullet, 23.0gr is about a starting charge for H335. But for H322, 23.0gr it just about max for a 55gr bullet. With so many new reloaders reading the forums I figured it might be a good idea to clarify.
 
Actually he said H332, not H322.

A case of seeing what I expected which was not the same as others seeing what they expected, eh. So I was wrong but I was right.
 
That same bullet and powder with a charge of 24.8 grs. is my accuracy round out to 200 yds. in my Tikka T3 Lite with a 1 in 8 twist . On a windless day which rarely ever occurs in central Oregon it will chew a ragged hole at 100 yds. and stay within 1/2 inch at 200 .

10 Spot
 
Now my question comes into play here: Do you then subtract the bullet diameter, .224 from that number to get the MOA?
Click to expand...
The letters M O A mean "Minute of Angle" so using "MOA" as your group measurement is not correct. If your group size .498" edge to edge your group indeed would measure .274" measured on center. That is some good shooting and an accurate combination.

Many of benchrest shooters use H322 because it's known to produce very accurate ammo. I'm also not surprised how well it shoots.
 
Thanks Arch for the clarification on the measurement, wasn't sure, I'd heard different ways of getting the correct measurements. YES, my fingers stayed gripped to the "3" instead of moving on, hope thats the only mistake I ever make. Ha

I was really pleased with that load, have never shot that small of a group, course, no wind helped also. Thanks guys for all of your input and info, this THR group is hard to beat !
 
243winxb, Thanks for posting that website info, some very valuable info there! This is what I meant in the previous posting ^^, you folks are hard to beat !!
 
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