Mic

Sunday was awesome! Weather was great, did some shooting, went on a little bike ride after, but I finally got time to go through a bunch of batches of rounds I made.

I am actually happy with the results of what I loaded.

I went to the range with 8 different loads of 55FMJBT Ball Ammo, and started to fire away.

In 5 shot groups, I ended up with very interesting Load Data, and from it, I learned alot.

8 loads, 3 of H322 and 5 of BL-C2, I walked away with not only finding out my best of the loads that kept the best grouping, but a good consistency check of what velocities are best for the this bullet.

Of the H322, my 2 lowest loads, which by my books Load Data, shows between 2900 and 3000 FPS, each performed at sub 1 inch groupings. One was .6, the other was .8.

On the BLC-2 Front, interestingly enough, the same by the book velocities grouped at .6 and .8. So it shows me there that the velocities (I don't have a chronograph, so I can't verify what the actual velocity is, just by what the book says it should be "Around" is that around the 2900 FPS, this Winchester Ball Ammo groups well.

The downside is, even though the BLC-2 is cheaper per pound, it ends up being 2 dollars more expensive per 1000 rounds, just because of the amount of grains of it used.

Of my SS109 Steel Penetrators, the best groupings I got where at lower velocities at .9 inches. These are pulled military bullets, so was not expecting them to keep that great of groups. Around the 2700-2800fps by what the book says it should be around.

Next on the list will be a chronograph to buy, but right now, the "shoot and feel" of the 55fmjbt is good enough for me to feel confident in loading up a few hundred rounds for target practice.

At 110 bucks per 500 rounds, I don't think I can go wrong

migxdm

where did you get your pulled bullets? i cant find em no where!

DJ Nathan V

Damn I need to learn how to reload.

Mic

Gunbroker

WarriorDriver

is that at 100yds?

Reloading is fun!

Mic

50 yards, which is what I have read to be a good compromise when testing loads for the .223 for 100 to 200 yard because of the trajectory.

I did run across something last night when doing some research though on the ss109. Even though it is a heavier bullet, and heavier is better for the 1/7 16 inch, it apparently excels in a 20 inch and above at 1/9 for accuracy.

So I'm going to load up a bunch of different rounds to test between the 16 and the 20.

As far as the 55gr stuff is concerned, I am going to load up probably 50 rounds, and test it out at 100 and 200 and see where I feel with it. At 100 yards I'm a pretty good shot with Iron Sights. I'm still waiting for my scope to come out (the AR332 from Burris).

Back to the SS109, I want to try a couple more different powders. The stuff I loaded was with BL-C2

WarriorDriver

oh ok, this is through an AR Im assuming?

I have my mini14 shooting under 1/4" at 50yds, and my bolt .223 with 3 shot clover leafs.. :) keep working it! This is with 52 gr HPBT's and IMR4198 powder, good stuff! I have yet to get the bulk 55fmj's to shoot how I like... Ive also ran a couple of a buddies H335 powder through mine with very accurate results.

Mic

yes, it is through the AR. And I could definitely use some work on just shooting. Getting back into it after over 10 years of not firing any of my guns, has made me a bit rusty.

Hopefully once I get comfortable with things again, I can start putting stuff through even closer.

But using just factory ammo to judge from, which I was doing "Burn In" test shots (20 rounds) prior to moving over to the reloads, that alone gave me something to shoot for as far as if it was more accurate, or less accurate.

Once I get even just a little magnification on my AR's, I'll be able to move my groupings down. I enjoy Iron sight shooting though, and I think the better you are with Iron sites, it will make you just that much better with optics.

WarriorDriver

could be, people say that, but its hard to screw up putting a big cross on what you want to kill. haha..

koorbloh

you've obviously never seen me shoot.

the big cross doesn't help me all that much

KillermondoDude

was shooting the shit out of Clays at 100+ yards with Heffays Tikka

Mic

You can still pull your shot though. If you let the gun jump to much, yade yade, it all effects accuracy.

koorbloh

I won't be satisfied until I can do that at 200, consistently.

KillermondoDude

we need to find a 600 yrder so we can really stretch it out

WarriorDriver

you must be talking with open sights? 225yds with a 17hmr and .223 with a scope is easy.. (last month it was anyway)

100yds

koorbloh

no, scoped. I'm not looking to be amazing, just good enough for what I do: plinking and hunting.

koorbloh

I'd really like to see just how off I am this far out...just for kicks

Mic

Well, I guess that depends on the size of the barn?

DJ Nathan V

My range has a 600yd firing line... but you have to have approval from the RSOs to shoot on it.

WarriorDriver

my local range only goes to 225yds.. Id like to try some 500yd shootin

Fossilman

Reloading is a hoot,like it alot! Sounds like you had a blast-way cool!