S&W 1500 in 223 Your most accurate bullet?

[Broom96]

Hi All,

Found a like new S&W /Howa rifle, been shooting 55 grain bullets factory & hand-loads in the 1 in 12 barrel. It's very accurate ! Forget about heavy bullets in this 1 in 12 barrel!

I'm always looking for the more accurate bullet, so I bought a box of Nosler 40 grain bullets.
I selected the "Most accurate load" from my reloading book & was rewarded with a very tight group.
To save others & me time & money, can some of you post your best loads with factory & handload's. for a 1 in 12 barrel?

Thanks for any help,
Broom96

 

[damienph]

I have a 24" heavy barreled Howa 1500 in a factory Hogue overmolded stock.

My most accurate load is Hodgdon H-335 and 55gr Midway USA "Dogtown" bullets. At 100 yards from a rest or bipod, I commonly shoot .4" five shot groups. My groups do tend to string vertically but always touch.

 

[Broom96]

Hi damienph,

Thanks for the reply. I'll give it a try, my pal has some of that powder.

I'm guessing your rifle is a later model with the steel bedded tubes. I bet a little bedding material will cure your stringing problem. I'm assuming your barrel is full floating as my later 308 is.
The stock on my older 223 has the over-molded stock which had a few snug spots that seemed to move from shot to shot.
My gunsmith did his bedding magic, which happily solved any shot to shot variation. Any poor shooting is totally the fault of the guy behind the rifle.

Be well & enjoy life,
broom

 

[retiredbadge8091]

I like a 52 grain JHP. Speer was the go to bullet but they've been tough to find and my stockpile has run out. The Hornady 53 gr. V-Max looks promising as a replacement. Both my S&W 1500 and my Remington 788 like lighter bullets better.

 

[Broom96]

Hi retiredbadge8091,

Thanks for the reply! I'll look into the lighter bullets a little more.
The 55 grain bullets shot well 1 1/2 inch at 100. The 40 grain shot much tighter at 100 yards maybe 3/4 inch!
I'm older then dirt, so I can only take about 10 shots before I start shaking a bit. I just relax & shoot some more!

Be safe & enjoy every day,
broom

 

[Broom96]

Thanks for all your help!
Broom