Post by mosigdude on Feb 21, 2015 19:16:13 GMT -8
This has been a long time coming, I actually worked these up when I first got the barrel almost 2 years ago and never posted up the results. As with all data, compare anything I post here with a reputable source and make sure this works for your application.
Barrel is a BHW 18" Mid-length 1/9 twist 3P, Standard Profile. The barrel is fit into a pretty basic free-float tube in a nothing-special upper with a standard BCG. Lower is also fairly basic with a RRA Match Trigger that breaks a little lighter than a few other similar models I have in other builds, probably around 3-1/2 lbs but I haven't measured it.
All brass is "FC 11" 223, formed to 6x45 through an RCBS Small base size die, primer crimp removed, flash hole uniformed, all bullets are seated with a Forster Bench Rest Seater, All loads are very lightly crimped.
All 3-shot groups measured center-to-center (extreme edges minus bullet diameter), rounded to the nearest hundredth
First up is Sierra's 85 Gr "Varminter" SP, 26.0 gr 8208 XBR, CCI#450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.255", 2701 fps avg
Next is Sierra 85gr GameKing BTHP, 26.0 gr 8208 XBR, CCI#450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.310", 2741 fps avg
Next is Sierra 85gr GameKing BTHP, 25.5 gr H4895, CCI#450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.305", 2654 fps avg
Hornady 87gr BTHP's (not pictured) shot similar to the above with only slightly larger groups in similar workups
Finally, Nosler's 70gr Ballistic Tip, 23.5 gr H322, CCI #450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.310", Velocity unknown (it was cloudy and I haven't had cause to rework this load yet) but it looks like this one could handle a little more speed
Hornady's 75 gr HP (not pictured) shot similarly with a similar workup from the same powder.
Like many before me, I badly wanted the 87gr Hornady V-Max to shoot but after experiencing several groups in excess of 4", I finally caved and decided it just wasn't meant to be with this barrel.
I do wish this chambering had a slightly shorter throat so I could load everything at "regular" mag length and be closer to the lands. All of these loads still have a significant jump to the rifling but obviously the BHW quality is there and it still shoots anyway. As it stands, I use an ASC stainless magazine or a modified (windowed) Lancer to feed the longer OAL's
Cheers to all, hope this helps someone a little.
-Tim
Barrel is a BHW 18" Mid-length 1/9 twist 3P, Standard Profile. The barrel is fit into a pretty basic free-float tube in a nothing-special upper with a standard BCG. Lower is also fairly basic with a RRA Match Trigger that breaks a little lighter than a few other similar models I have in other builds, probably around 3-1/2 lbs but I haven't measured it.
All brass is "FC 11" 223, formed to 6x45 through an RCBS Small base size die, primer crimp removed, flash hole uniformed, all bullets are seated with a Forster Bench Rest Seater, All loads are very lightly crimped.
All 3-shot groups measured center-to-center (extreme edges minus bullet diameter), rounded to the nearest hundredth
First up is Sierra's 85 Gr "Varminter" SP, 26.0 gr 8208 XBR, CCI#450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.255", 2701 fps avg
Next is Sierra 85gr GameKing BTHP, 26.0 gr 8208 XBR, CCI#450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.310", 2741 fps avg
Next is Sierra 85gr GameKing BTHP, 25.5 gr H4895, CCI#450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.305", 2654 fps avg
Hornady 87gr BTHP's (not pictured) shot similar to the above with only slightly larger groups in similar workups
Finally, Nosler's 70gr Ballistic Tip, 23.5 gr H322, CCI #450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.310", Velocity unknown (it was cloudy and I haven't had cause to rework this load yet) but it looks like this one could handle a little more speed
Hornady's 75 gr HP (not pictured) shot similarly with a similar workup from the same powder.
Like many before me, I badly wanted the 87gr Hornady V-Max to shoot but after experiencing several groups in excess of 4", I finally caved and decided it just wasn't meant to be with this barrel.
I do wish this chambering had a slightly shorter throat so I could load everything at "regular" mag length and be closer to the lands. All of these loads still have a significant jump to the rifling but obviously the BHW quality is there and it still shoots anyway. As it stands, I use an ASC stainless magazine or a modified (windowed) Lancer to feed the longer OAL's
Cheers to all, hope this helps someone a little.
-Tim