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Old 09-10-2017, 10:28 PM
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Default Finally tried Varget in .223

Shot some Varget .223 handloads in a bolt gun and liked it.
55gr Hornady FMJ.
Heres the target the first time with the Sport at 100yds.
Jim
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Last edited by jimbo728; 09-10-2017 at 10:31 PM.
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Old 09-10-2017, 10:47 PM
Ivan the Butcher Ivan the Butcher is offline
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I load 75 A-max (I still have about 1500 put back!) with Varget for a single shot Savage target rifle (loaded way to long for any magazine!) and get 3" at 1000 yards. For SAMMI length rounds I prefer H332, H335, and WW748. Primers really need to be "Best Quality", CCI BR-4 or Rem 7 1/2 really shine for hot loads, and Fed 205M for medium to just be low Max pressure loads.

Your photo looks like a nice round group, for elevation that means a decently consistent velocity!

Ivan
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Old 09-10-2017, 10:55 PM
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A 55 grain Sierra spitzer will cut that in 1/2.
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Old 09-10-2017, 11:45 PM
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That would be nice. My biggest problem is what I have to live with with really bad hands. Im lucky I could do that.
My best group with that rifle was with IMR 4895 and 69gr Sierra Match Kings. That one came in at under 1/2 in.
All said, I am my worst limiting factor. I am glad that that Sport shoots well.
Jim
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Old 09-11-2017, 06:03 AM
Ivan the Butcher Ivan the Butcher is offline
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It is very seldom that we can out shoot our weapons!

My standard 22 Center fire bullet is a 50 grain poly tipped boat tail. Either the Nolser Ballistic tip, the Sierra BlitzKing, the Hornady V-Max or the Combined Technologies Silver Ballistic Tip (the most expensive!). Barns has some entries, but I haven't found them to be as accurate as any of the other 4. When I get a new 22 Center fire I use which ever I have the most of to develop the most accurate powder/primer combination, then load up 5 of each of the others and see which bullet the rifle (or Contender) like best. I only have had one rifle that like tow of the bullets the same, normally there will be one that out shines they others! Now that silencers are becoming popular, My AR likes a different bullet/load silenced than unsilenced. Of 6 rifles and 2 Contenders 3 like Combined Tech. best, and 2 each for the others. (Includes the gun that likes 2 different bullets best .077 groups at 100 yards!) (I also use a different bullet in all 22 Hornet guns and one for a 223 long range rifle.)

Also I found that the different chamber designs effect the light bullets performance. I have a very good Cooper 21 (1:12 Twist) that says it has a 223 chamber, but it turns out to have a 5.56 NATO chamber. The extra free bore caused 1/2 to 3/4 inch group problem. I increased the OAL length about 1/8" past SAMMI until I touched the lands and the group immediately dropped below 1/8" group! Being a single shot, I don't have to worry about fitting in a magazine.

Just some info and ideas for you to try out, to see if you can catch Mr. Gofer's eye!

Ivan
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Old 09-11-2017, 07:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo728 View Post
My best group with that rifle was with IMR 4895 and 69gr Sierra Match Kings. That one came in at under 1/2 in.
All said, I am my worst limiting factor. I am glad that that Sport shoots well.
Jim
The 4895/69MK is a classic combination. Varget also works well bullets heavier than 55gr.

I buy Sierra 52gr MK bulk and use that bullet in front of H335 for my all purpose load. Because I buy all my components bulk, each cartridge costs about the same as LC XM193. That way I know if I miss it is my fault.
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Old 09-11-2017, 09:58 AM
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IMR 4895 was all I had on hand when I restarted loading .223 again after a long break. In rifle my focus was on M1 food for High Power shooting.
I was surprised that it shot as well as it did.
Ivan, I will be studying data for your powder choices for sure.
Jim
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Old 09-11-2017, 04:13 PM
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Quote:
jimbo728 wrote:
My biggest problem is what I have to live with with really bad hands.
I noticed the writing on the target in the picture. Up against that, I would say that group is excellent. Congratulations.
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Old 09-11-2017, 05:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hdwhit View Post
I noticed the writing on the target in the picture. Up against that, I would say that group is excellent. Congratulations.
The bad writing gives away my hand paralysis.
Some how I get by.
Shooting and reloading keeps me going.
Thanks
Jim
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