Wasn't really super interested in the guys powder, mainly because he said he just wanted it gone and not all jugs were full, and he wanted 100 bucks for it, was hesitant about driving 3 hours for 100 bucks worth of powder, but decided as a favor I would do it. Picked up the powder and these are...
I like accubonds but not till you get impact velocities of 3200 fps or more. Better, cheaper, more accurate options available. I stick with Berger VLD's or Hornady ELDM's in the 140 flavor in my creed. To each his own.
if the bullets are M855 green tips, IIRC they are 62 gr. In the complete reloading manual for the 223, Hornady. has a listing for the 60 gr using 27.4 gr as a max charge with a MV of 3000 fps, Nosler lists a 68 gr load with a max of 27 gr @2870 fps, Speer list a 70 gr load of 28 grr. @2681...
After 14 years have the mechanics 98% fixed on my truck, so bought 2 doors and a fender to fix the sheet metal and paint it. I like this truck, mainly cause I don't have 100K to buy a new one!
coopers are larger than the red shouldered. Those and the kestrels are amazing little birds. however, the impact of a coopers hawk on a dove is impressive to witness, It sounds like a professional tennis player on a serve and looks like you dynamited a pillow.
MV? you get an impact velocity around 3200 fps you will figure it out, Kirby Allen ran the .257 120 gr at 3500 fps and they would not penetrate 1 jug at 500 yards.
at right is a 160 accubond that impacted a green maple block at 3520 fps, it retained 64% of its weight and expanded diameter was .62" and penetrated over 13".
Hornady just came out with a .257 134 gr. ELDM, yes a match bullet, however my experience and experience of others over the last 4 years says they perform as well or better than the ELDX line on game. Also a 128 ELDX with a BC of .633.
level the rifle on a bipod, affix the scope, with the rifle level, line the reticle up with a plumb line, I use a post in a tennis court fence that I checked for plumb with a level. then I run the verticle adjustment stop to stop and watch it crawl up and down the edge of the post. If it wanders...