First time out with new build and handloads.

[GaryB]

First time to the range with fire formed brass and handloads for the new 223AI. All in all a pretty good day.

All groups are five shots at 100tds.
This first target is with Sierra 63gr SMP's with 25gr H335. As close as I can tell(no dial caliper here) this is just over 1/2".



The second target is with Speer 52gr HPBT and 26gr of H335 It measures just over 3/8".



The last target is with Speer 52gr HPBT again and 27gr of H335. It measures just under 3/8".



I only had 60 brass cases fire formed so not able to do much testing today. The other load I tried was a 55gr Spitzer SP from a bunch of bulk stuff I've had for awhile. None of it did well, but everything I tested today stayed under an inch so I'm pleased.

Lots of time left this summer for further load development. Need more components!!!
Gary

[Brent]

Looking good.

How do you measure? Center to center, outside, inside?

Think you might want to go ahead and put a stick to those and get some measurements. These are 3/8 and 1/4 groups with a .204.

http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/a...204testing.jpg

[GaryB]

Are you thinking these groups measure larger than what I said? I measured these as close as I could with a tape, center to center(WAG). I don't have my dial caliper here or I would measure edge to edge and subtract the diameter of one lone bullet hole.

In the first target the center circle is ~11/16" and the group measures between 1/2" and 5/8". Like I said, just over 1/2".

The bottom two targets are 3" target dots and the center circle is 1 1/2". These two measure real close to what I said also.

I'm not trying to cheat.

Gary

[Brent]

You didn't say you measured them at all in the original post. You said as close as you could tell. I really don't care, didn't think you were cheating, but thought for reference purposes a stick or a comparison might help.

I get called all the time for groups on other forums so I throw in a stick or something for reference. The internet is full of experts don't ya know. Heck there is one guy who consistently measures inside to inside of his impacts as a group. On a .338 that reduces his group by .68 inches. A .224 will reduce it .45 inches. If I get real picky I measure inside edge to outside edge so I have an edge to measure. I guess it doesn't matter, was just curious, and was just a wonderin.

[GaryB]

Wasn't trying to be a smart arse. I apologize for the confusion. I will try to remember to place a ruler in my pics from now on.

[rdamours]

Any way you measure it...it's hella good. I'm hoping for similar results.

[capreppy]

If you have access to H322, give it a try with the lighter weight bullts (50 & 52/53). I've had excellent results with this powder and the Hornady 50gr Z-Max/V-max. I've got a jug and a half of this left so I bought 4k of the V-Max's the other day to keep me shooting for a good long while.

[GaryB]

If I can find it I'll try the H322. It looks to be a little faster burning than the H335 so it might work better with the lighter bullets.

Capreppy, where do you purchase the Hornady V-max bullets?

Thanks
Gary

[capreppy]

I bought them from Powder Valley. They had them briefly at the beginning of April (April 4th to be exact as my order will be due to ship sometime this week possibly). I'll order more of the Z-Max's when the come in stock as well. My 1/9 loves the 50gr Z-Max/V-Max, plus they tend to me a little more available since everyone is stuck on the 55gr bullets (fine with me and leaves me an opportunity FIND bullets while everyone else is struggling to find something to shoot out of their rifle). Without much load development, I'm able to get 1/2 MOA out to 200 (longest within 30 mins of me). I thought about tweaking the load, but frankly I'm perfectly ok with 1/2 MOA. I've got 1k 69gr Nosler CC's that I need to finish load development on. This will be my round for this rifle for anything out to 500 (within 90 mins of me). I've got 8# of Varget specifically for the heavy 223 bullets (both out of my bolt and my AR).

[Shakey Jakey]

Delete

[Shakey Jakey]

You didn't say you measured them at all in the original post. You said as close as you could tell. I really don't care, didn't think you were cheating, but thought for reference purposes a stick or a comparison might help.

I get called all the time for groups on other forums so I throw in a stick or something for reference. The internet is full of experts don't ya know. Heck there is one guy who consistently measures inside to inside of his impacts as a group. On a .338 that reduces his group by .68 inches. A .224 will reduce it .45 inches. If I get real picky I measure inside edge to outside edge so I have an edge to measure. I guess it doesn't matter, was just curious, and was just a wonderin.

An inside to inside measurement will only decrease it by the diameter of the bullet.