Range visit, next step?

[Waldo]

I scored a box of .224 Vmax 40g'ers so thought I'd give em a try in the Bergara Scout. Previously put Sierra and Nosler 40g thru with good success. Both of those have been flat base and the vmax a boat tail.

Starting to think the lil scout doesn't like boat tails as results weren't great, not bad but wanted more.
All pushed along by 2207 in new winchester brass and Rem small rifle primers.
Did 3 shot groups of 21.5g and 22g then copped a range closure on 22.5g so only got two shots away.

Consistent pattern emerging, more go powder bigger group

Thinking I could persevere and try and find a sweet spot or just assume boat tails aren't for this rifle and grab a box of flat base pills and maybe stepup to 50g pills for something different?


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[MISSED]

My 222 shot the 40 Vmax well with 2207 but really well with BM1 try 21.5 grains behind the 40

edited by me

[The Raven]

My 222 shot the 40 Vmax well with 2207 but really well with BM1 try 2.5 grains behind the 40

I suggest a bit more powder if you want the projectile to leave the barrel.

[Waldo]

Mmm don't have any BM1 so will try and stick with powders I have, cheaper to buy more pills than powder

It got me thinking though as I do have some RL15 and RL17 (use that in the 17Rem) but just checked the Alliant web site and they don't list either of those for the 40g pill in the two two two. Might have to check the old Alliant book in the shed, that'll teach em

ADI do list some 2208 (which I do have) recipes but it is a bit pedestrian in the speed stakes (even more so than Missed's BM1 recipe), nah don't wanna go there.

I'll ponder some more..............................

[Camel]

Get another gun

[mick_762]

What about stoking them up a bit more?
Checking for pressure etc - I am comfortably using 22.7gn of 2207 with a 50gn ZMax. Tikka T3 lite.

Lawyers Note: Work your own loads up etc etc etc.

[Waldo]

Get another gun

That's enough from you if you don't mind

What about stoking them up a bit more?

IIRC according to the online ADI book 22.0g was max, 22.5g showed no signs of pressure and I actually had started to load up some 23.0g the other night but the case was pretty full so backed out. Yeh, big chicken I know but I don't like compressing things much

I still have a couple of 22.0g and 22.5g loaded so I may chuck em over the chrono when I get a chance and see how fast they are going.

Complete overall length is a bit longer than noted in the ADI table as I seem to be able to seat em pretty long with the single shot so it should take a bit more powder without too many issues.

[stinkitup]

Or try 20- 21 grains?

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[The Raven]

Or try 20- 21 grains?

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[Branxhunter]

G'day Waldo.

If the Bergara was your only centrefire I could understand wanting to ensure that your load gave the highest velocity with good accuracy to ensure the flattest trajectory for shooting 'way out there'. But as I understand it you also have (among other toys) a Rem .17 and a 5.6x50, both of which could fill that role.

So how do you usually use the .222? Walk around rifle? Most shots within 100-150m taken from field positions? Then top velocity - while nice - is not necessarily a bbq stopper.

The load for my Anschutz .222 is 19.5gn of AR2207 behind the 40gn V-max. This load is at the lighter end of the scale, and velocity is reasonably pedestrian as a result. Does this concern me? No, as it shoots very, very accurately for a little light barrelled rear-locker sporter with a barrel that is not pretty to look down, and it is perfectly suited to a walk around varminter/ fox whistling rifle where range is generally less than 150m. Holding over my knees or over a log or beside a tree trunk I can't hold steady enough to confidently shoot further than that. If I want a hot rod to shoot faster and further I have other options.

I agree with Stink - given your results on paper so far try some lighter v-max loads with the AR2207.

The other things is that you might be right - perhaps the Bergara just doesn't like boat tail projectiles. After having been loading 55gn Sierra BTSPs in the .223 for a while I recently found that it loves flat base 40gn offerings. It shot really well with the 40gn Sierra BKs, and gave similar accuracy by keeping the same load but just substituting for cheaper Nolser Varmageddon 40gn flat base projectiles. Let me know if you would like me to post a few Noslers up to try.

Marcus

[Waldo]

Hey Marcus,

Logic and reasoning elegantly put, does that really have a place in a shooting forum

Yes, too many toys tools is a bit of an issue at times when it comes to choosing what to grab. You are right though the little scout is best when used as a walk around and shooting off sticks/knees it is pretty handy.

It goes against my philosophy of cranking things up as I'm not likely to ever wear anything out but yeh I'll give it a trot at a more pedestrian pace and see what it does.

Cheers,
Waldo

[Branxhunter]

Hey Marcus,

Logic and reasoning elegantly put, does that really have a place in a shooting forum

Well you know that if my load was 0.5gn over max I would have a logical argument to justify that too!!!

Marcus

[stinkitup]

G'day Waldo.

I agree with Stink - given your results on paper so far try some lighter v-max loads with the AR2207.



Marcus

Now that doesn't happen often .

My response was based on the groups shot unless the barrel getting warm was opening things up. I run 20gr of 2207 in my 222 rimmed martini so you never know. Also have some 40gr varmageddons if you need another 10 to try.

Ryan

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[Waldo]

OK I've joined the less is more brigade and just threw together 4 each of 20.5g and 21.0g

I may get a chance on the weekend or it may have to wait another week before I throw em down range and see how they go.

[stinkitup]

Good luck

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