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Hard choices
Hello All, I'm new to forum so be patient if this is old question.
I've got a T3x 6.5 Cr.and it's outstanding with hand loads. Sub 1/2″ groups
at 100yards. So now trying to pick next rifle. Either 223 rem.or 22-250 both
in varmint barrel. Problem I have is in the past I've not had great luck with the 223 for tiny groups. How accurate are these rounds out of the t3x varmint?
Brass. Is almost free just need to clean it up. Any real world info will help. Thanks. -
6 Replies
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I'm guess you are using old 5.56 brass ? , that's where you are going wrong , use quality brass , I use sako brass , case prep is where good grouping starts , I'm getting .3 Moa , sako brass Viht 133 Cci Br primers and Berger 52 gr target , all cases are annealed , full length sized , and trimmed to length , cleaned in a ultrasonic bath then polished
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Thanks for the tip. And your guess was mostly right. A large percentage of brass was .556 & then some were .223 usually Rem. that I pick up at Wally world and recycled. Otherwise my case prep is fairly close to what you pointed out ,short of weighting each case. I have not gave up on the cal.just needed a little nudge. Thanks. May have to wait for tax return but that T3x varmint is at top of list.
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You need to use all the same make of brass , each case manufacturer has different volume within the case , so pressure for a given load will be different , so poi will be all over the place , 5.56 brass is way thicker than .223 has it is a higher pressure load ,
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I have a Tikka T3 in .223 for varmint shooting. My groups are a little on the larger side (1-1.25″) but they're good enough for squirrels.
IMHO sub-MOA accuracy is a lot more important for competitive shooting than for varmints. I also think shooter error is a bigger factor than whether or not you use a single headstamp, but it all depends on what you want to do.
I've come across an article or two on the effect of using a single headstamp for reloads. In once case a polyglot mix was better than any of the single headstamp lots they shot, though the differences were pretty small.
I like the .223 because it shoots fairly flat but isn't so fact it kills barrels early, which you could do if you shoot a couple thousand rounds of .22-250 per year. If you're gonna shoot varmints, my recommendation is varmint ammo that disintegrates when it hits something so you don't have to worry about ricochets. I've had good success with Hornady V-MAX rounds. Gonna have to switch to NTX in 2020 when the lead ammo ban takes full effect in California.
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From what you have just posted above you have no idea about reloading .
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From what you have just posted above you have no idea about reloading .
I assume that was directed at me. You might be right but some pointers might help me and the OP.
Article on testing with mixed headstammps vs. Lake City Brass: https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/reloading-science-do-you-really-need-to-sort-your-brass/ Perhaps I should qualify that at the distances I shoot (up to about 200 yards) .223, the accuracy of my hand loads is good enough for me. For others, mileage will probably vary.
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