need .223 WSSM loads

[Laker_Taker]

HI There,
I just bought a 223 wssm browning A bolt. I have been playing with Varget and my range is 37 -41 grains and I'm shooting 55 grain BT's. The best I can get is two inch grouping at 100 yards. I did buy a box of ammo and I can't hit the target from a gun rest. I am getting very frustrated dealing with this gun. Has anybody out there have a good load or have any of the same issues as I am? Any response is welcome.

Thanks Aaron

 

[JD338]

Check the scope bases and rings to make sure they are tight.
Also check the bedding, make sure the action screws are tight (approx 30 inch pounds) and that the barrel is not touching the stock. There may be a pressure point at the forend, Other than that point, the barrel should free float in the barrel channel of the stock.
What kind of scope are you using?

JD338

 

[Laker_Taker]

My scope is a Leupold 3.5 X 10 X 40. I took it off my deer rifle. I shoot a 22-250 and I needed a backup gun for a P-dog hunt in october. All the screws seem tight and locktite was used. How can you tell if your barrel is free floating? This is a brand new gun and I'm total in shock that factory winchester ammo can't hit the target as were my hand loads can get a two inch grouping.

Aaron

 

[JD338]

How can you tell if your barrel is free floating? Aaron

Wrap a $1 bill around the barrel and slide it down through the barrel channel. You may have a pressure point at the end of the stock where it makes contact with the barrel. Behind this point, the bill should slide freely between the barrel and the stock all the way to the recoil lug. What this means is that the stock is not touching the barrel, which is good. If you ahve a spot that touches, you may have to disassemble and sand down that high spot.

You have an excellent scope so that shouldn't be an issue.

JD338

 

[Laker_Taker]

I was able to take a piece of floss and ran it under the barrel up to about where the throat would be. Is this what I should be looking for? (free floating)

Aaron

 

[JD338]

I was able to take a piece of floss and ran it under the barrel up to about where the throat would be. Is this what I should be looking for? (free floating)

Aaron

Thats what I'm talking about. Try it with a $1 bill.

JD338

 

[Laker_Taker]

I did try a one dollar bill and there is a spot that will hang up the bill but I can get it to go thru if I do a sawing action. Should this spot be sanded down? This is Brownings composite stock.

Thanks Aaron

 

[JD338]

I did try a one dollar bill and there is a spot that will hang up the bill but I can get it to go thru if I do a sawing action. Should this spot be sanded down? This is Brownings composite stock.

Thanks Aaron

Where exactly is this high spot located?
Most pressure points are directly below (6:00) the barrel about 1.5" from the tip of the stock.

JD338

 

[Laker_Taker]

The rub spot was at the 07:00 about two inches above the throat area. When I took off the barrel you could see folded over plastic from the molding. I used emery paper smoothed it off and now the barrel is complete free. Do you know if the short mag is an accurate gun? My 22-250 can place three shots into a dime at 100 yards. I bought the short mag because it was on clearance for 350.00.

Aaron

 

[JD338]

Aaron,

I have no experience with the 223 WSSM so I can't give you any opinions.
350.00 sounds like a good price.

I think you may have found the problem and you were able to put a quick fix on it. :wink: Try shooting it again and let us know how she shoots. Odds are, you will get much better accuracy.

JD338

 

[Laker_Taker]

If I can get another day like today only 75 degrees I'll give her a shot and see what happens and post my results.

Thanks Aaron

 

[R Flowers]

Aaron, sounds like good advice you have been given so far.

However, that gun may never shoot well if the one I owned is any indication. I bought a Winchester Model 70 Super Shadow Super Short chambered in 223 WSSM and it was a piece of junk.

My gun shot factories as well as it would anything I tried. I tried 40, 50, 52, 53, 55, and 60 grain bullets. I tried Varget, H 4350, H 4895, etc. etc. I changed the scope, I changed the rings, I installed a Jewell trigger.

No go, that gun just would not shoot and the more I shot it the worse it got. It was fast as hell, even with that 22 inch barrel, but the groups were erratic at best. I would work up a good load that might shoot 1.5 inches and think I was onto something. I would go home and load up some more of the same stuff and shoot a 6 inch group.

The last day I shot it I shot a couple of 1.5 inch groups with the 55 grain factory loads. I decided that was as good as it was going to do. I wanted it for coyotes, so that would probably be good enough. I took it off the bench, gave it a good cleaning, and went back to the bench to sight it in 1.5 inches high with the factory load. I never hit the paper again !!!

I damned near gave the gun away just to be rid of it. The guy who bought it sent it back to Winchester. They sent him a complete new rifle. He kept it maybe a month and sent it back. They replaced it yet again. It would not shoot, either. He screwed that lousy chrome lined barrel off and put on a good barrel. He chambered it for 243 WSSM that time. Now it shoots great !!!

So, all I can say is good luck. I own two rifles chambered for WSM cartridges and they shoot great, but that WSSM was a lousy rifle.

 

[JD338]

RF,

I seem to recall you talking about this rifle in the past.
Any ideas as to why they don't shoot? Could it be the caliber, too much overbore?

JD338

 

[R Flowers]

JD, I am sure you remember my talking about that junk rifle. I was plenty pissed off over the whole thing.

I am not sure the overbore situation was the entire issue, though it probably contributed.
I had high hopes for a light, handy coyote gun. It was all black and would have been great for calling. The velocites were simply amazing.

The guy who I sold it to is a machinist and did a little measuring. He contends that the chrome lining in the barrel was acturally shrinking away from the steel slightly in the breech area. His theory was that the bullets were being squeezed down smaller than usual in the breech and then pretty much rattling down the bore.

All I know is that with an after market barrel it now shoots great.

 

[Glock Man]

We were able to get decent accuracy provided that we kept the velocities down on the 223wssm. That cartridge is capable of shooting 4000fps+ no problem, but 3500-3800 seems to work much better. The life of the rifle will be much better if you keep it to that velocity range.

 

[JD338]

Thanks RF.

Ya, I do remember........ :lol:

JD338

 

[Laker_Taker]

I tried out the gun last night and it still won't shoot worth a darn. I called Browning and they want me to send it in.

Ill see what they think next.

Aaron