First shots with my new heavy Barrel

[Russ77]

The bolt looked fine and worked with the other ammo. The fiocchi was the only stuff that gave me trouble

[rfd12fv]

did the fiocchi chamber smoothly and easily?

if not, there's probably a dimension of the brass or bullet or oal that's not making yer rifle happy.

if it does, there could be an issue with the brass and/or charge.

either way, the solution with fiocchi is clear.

hand loads are SO much better. :smile-new:

[Russ77]

Another fun day at the range. I shot very well but I could not for the life of me hit the 750 yard steel. I could get close but it just wouldn't happen. I guess that just out of the 55 grain capabilities

[rfd12fv]

with its 1:9 twist, i have no problem stabilizing those excellent 69 grain sierra match king boat tails - give 'em a try!

[Russ77]

I think I will. Will I have to RE- zero the rifle when going to a higher grain?? My guess is that I will

[rfd12fv]

I think I will. Will I have to RE- zero the rifle when going to a higher grain?? My guess is that I will

yep, almost certainly.

[Texas10]

I'm not sure how much a HB Axis differs from a model 12, besides a slightly shorter barrel and .050 or so less on barrel dia. on the Axis however, I'll offer a few suggestions nevertheless.

I have found that American Eagle 50 gr, Varmint tipped ammo (p/n AE223GTV) shoots very well out of my 223. It's cheap from Palmetto State Armory and shoots sub MOA. I use as a warm up load, and as a benchmark load if I suspect something is a bit off, whether it's me or the gun. It is a 3350 FPS load and I've shot it as far as 700 yds. with surprisingly good results.

As for a heavier load, I've found the 69 gr. Sierra Tipped Match King over IMR4320 to be particularly good in my 26 inch, 9 twist varmint barrel model 12. I shot three, 5 shot rounds today and got .298, .315 and .358 MOA results at 200 yds. in light rain and wind.

I've also worked up a load using 75 gr Sierra HPBT and IMR 4320 that shot spectacularly well when temps were over 90F, but fell off considerably below that temp. Nothing I've tried so far has recouped that group size with the fall temperatures. Guess I'll have to wait for summer and see if history repeats itself.

Never a dull moment….

[rfd12fv]

texas10, any stability issues with the sierra 75's? i wasn't sure about the smk 69's but they fly good out to our max range distance of 300 yards. love the axis hb!

[Texas10]

Yes, I'm going to go with stability issues to explain my experience with the Sie 75gr BTHP. I posted a question about it, but got no response except to "try Varget", AKA "unobtainium".

In my initial load workup at 100 yds, I started near minimum load, progressing in .5 gr increments. First group measured 2.3g inches, and gradually tightened to a very respectable .190 at just over max book (Hornaday) load.

My next trip to the range with 15 rounds loaded at best tested levels yielded three 5 shot groups measuring .189, .298, .316.

After trying another primer, and powder, I settled on IMR4320 and CCI400 primer as the best and continued to see similar results, until fall temperatures arrived and groups suddenly opened up to over an inch.

Interestingly, I shot Hornaday factory loaded 75gr. BTHP Match ammo side by side with my load and the Hornaday grouped with overlapping holes while my load was more of a pattern than a group in the cooler temps of Fall.

So yes, I'm going with stability issues in the denser air of Fall to explain the change in group size.

Conditions during best groups: 95F, 680 ft. MSL, 29.90 Hg., light winds, high humidity. Temps when poor groups were experienced; 70F - 80F, dry air.

My apologies to the OP if I've hijacked the thread.

[rfd12fv]

texas10 - i meant bullet stability in terms of a 1:9 twist barrel spinning a 75 grain bullet with no key holing in the target face.

[Texas10]

Exactly, 12FV. It is my understanding that wobble will not only cause keyhole, but also cause in-flight deviations from POI, with progressive scatter under increasing air density.

Is this what you're experiencing?

[Russ77]

Wow what a difference the weather makes in keeping your barrel cool. It was in the high 50's this morning( that's cold for us California people) and my barrel stayed nice and cool all morning. I went through a lot more ammo not having to wait as long in between shots. Saw an amazing rifle next to me on the line. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/6e30bd527839b08d924da145e8a247c5.jpg

[rfd12fv]

now that, good sir, is a REAL heavy barreled rifle. :cool:

[Russ77]

gonna give these little babies a try. 700 yards here I come
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/17/3e04e4095232b5651ac1b90b39833ba5.jpg

[rfd12fv]

'swhat i use, 'cept i roll my own. the sharpie colors on the tips correspond to a specific charge of varget ...

http://i.imgur.com/vshJLer.jpg

[godale]

really looking hard at the same gun in my area. the price is 319.00 it doesnt feel too bad but i just cant like the stock. boyds has them for 144.00. the local big chain store has a model 12 in 223 and for another 300.00 it feels alot better including stock.choices.... choices

[Russ77]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/14/64ab5895c2669d8e2d476602a0b4b97b.jpg
Got to go out and shoot with my new stock. I didn't see any difference in accuracy but it had a much nicer feel to it when shooting. I'm really happy with the way it came together

[foxx]

now that, good sir, is a REAL heavy barreled rifle. :cool:

LOL The barrel's not that big. THere's a piece of plastic or something over the barrel to help reduce mirage from heat coming off the barrel into the line of sight in the scope.

[WinnieTheBoom]

LOL The barrel's not that big. THere's a piece of plastic or something over the barrel to help reduce mirage from heat coming off the barrel into the line of sight in the scope.

Ugly as sin but they work wonders, LOL.

[minnesotamulisha]

Nice shooting! Is that the Primary Arms 4-14 mounted up top?