.223 VTR Questions.......

Powerstroke · Mar 13, 2010

I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much from this rifle or not ??

The best groups to-date have been with the 60gr B-tips. It's a personal issue of the canalure that I visibly do not like, so I started going other directions 50gr B-tips, 55gr B-tips, 55gr B-kings, 52gr SMK's, (75gr A-max which is probably too much for the twist ) and trying hard to get the 70gr VLD's to shoot. Across the board, 1.5 inches down to 3/4 inch groups @ 100yds.
Now this is also the rifle I had issues with the extractor and couldn't hardly close or open the bolt - fix equaled Sako Extractor being installed and the firing pin / hole being sleeved and ground as well as a phenominal trigger job.
Last weekend I decided to attempt a bedding job on the tuperware stock and was able to get the barrel to float after a lot of cutting.
Are todays results acceptable ? Mind you the wind was fairly healthy and the target would blow side to side by half inch at times.
I feel this thing should do better.........
Thoughts / Ideas appreciated...... :?:

My 7yr old even wanted to shoot the "tri-angle barrel gun" :grin:

DrMike · Mar 13, 2010

Your son certainly looks at home behind that rifle.

russ808 · Mar 13, 2010

PS, I notice your son has those hearing protectors. Do you use them also? If so how do yoou like them? Thinking of trying them as I can not cheek my rifles with regular ear muffs.
Russ

rick smith · Mar 14, 2010

Powerstroke, there is more to group shooting than a lot of folks think. If the wind was moving the target you would be hard pressed to shoot a great group. Parallex in the scope? Consistant bench position for you and the rifle. What powder? Have you tried other powders and seating depths? Now that the rifle is bedded, is the action stress free? Barrel stay floated after a few shots?Rick.

HeathSexton · Mar 14, 2010

I don't know what powder you are running but I have tried 25.0grs of H4895 with 55gr bullets in 3 .223's, small sample I know, and all 3 have been really really accurate. I don't know the velocity from my Stevens 200, probably not burning fast but from my little Stevens 200 I am getting .4" - .6" groups. It was 3104fps from my 1:12 twist Encore. The Stevens is a 1:9 twist.

Powerstroke · Mar 14, 2010

Russ,
I have the same issue and don't like the muff's at all. Of all the hearing protection I've ever used, these are the most comfortable and easiest to use in my opinion.

Rick,
Stress free action I can't guarantee - the rifle shot like this before hand as well. I've had three different scopes on it - 5 different powders, two differenet primers and have moved the seating depths around.
I've read some controversy on the intragrated brake they put on these guns......... ? I should be happy with it as I bought if for more of a truck / atv gun.

Heath -
I have yet to put any H4895 down the tube -
Powders have consisted of W748, H332, H335, Varget & N-140

rick smith · Mar 14, 2010

Had a Rem Model 7 that acted that way until I ran Benchmark through it. Then it would shoot about any bullet I tried. Some rifles can be very specific in their wants. Had several hundred rounds down the tube and was about ready to sell/trade for another rifle. Windy day, moving target, not bad groups considering the conditions.Rick.

YoteSmoker · Mar 14, 2010

If I were in your position, I'd take a look at the 60 grain V-max and maybe the 60 Hornady HP and try powders like H335, Varget, W748. The 60 V-max shoots wonderfully accurate in my 12 twist 22-250. IMR 4198 or H4895 might work ok too. Good luck!

nomosendero · Mar 14, 2010

YoteSmoker":3nipk6pg said:
If I were in your position, I'd take a look at the 60 grain V-max and maybe the 60 Hornady HP and try powders like H335, Varget, W748. The 60 V-max shoots wonderfully accurate in my 12 twist 22-250. IMR 4198 or H4895 might work ok too. Good luck!

+1!! The 60V-Max does great in my RRA 1-8 twist & is a great varmit bullet!!

RiverRider · Mar 14, 2010

rick smith":2x0x0e39 said:
Had a Rem Model 7 that acted that way until I ran Benchmark through it. Then it would shoot about any bullet I tried. Some rifles can be very specific in their wants. Had several hundred rounds down the tube and was about ready to sell/trade for another rifle. Windy day, moving target, not bad groups considering the conditions.Rick.

I can't say my rifle (700 Classic in .223 Rem) doesn't like anything but Benchmark, but I can say with certitude that it likes Benchmark a lot with 50-grain SXs and V-Max. I am about to start playing with the 50-grain BTs I have on the shelf and expect fine performance.