223 superlight accuarcy

[bonesarelli]

I just ordered a superlight in 223.  What kind of accuracy can I expect from this little rifle? Thank you.

[whiskey101]

Hopefully better than mine

I haven't finished breaking mine in?? I am trying to remain positive and not get down on the gun until I try all the recommended items in the FAQ.

Actually mine shoots good groups once I get the barrel hot. I just need to figure out how to get it to put the first 2 or 3 into the same barn.

[shooting.al]

How bad does yours group?

[whiskey101]

Depends on ammo. To be fair I only have 100 rounds down the barrel. Many folks on this site, all of whom are smarter about handi's than I am, believe that they get better after the first 100 or so rounds. I get strings of 5 to 6 inches at 50 yards. I can't seem to get a pattern. I really didn't put a lot of effort into the first 60 or 70 rounds I just wanted to get them down range and get to a point I could start finding a load the gun likes. I haven't put enough time into the last couple weeks. Hopefully I can get to the range in the next week or so and get some accuracy work done. I will be happy to get 2 inches at 100 yards. I don't expect much more, so anything better is just cake.

[PeterCartwright]

I've got less than 50 rounds through mine.  My best efforts to date have come from 25 gr. of H4895 behind a Speer 55 gr. pointed soft point (.75"@50 yards).  The same load behind a Nosler 60 gr. yields about an inch (also 3 shots @50 yards).  I'm just beginning to play with the Barnes 53 gr. TSX-which appears to group about as well as the Noslers in a preliminary outing.  (Oh, I should also say I'm trying to wait a timed 5 minutes between shots so I always have a cold barrel).  I've also numbered the shots in order for each group.  ( needed something to do while I wait between shots, right?)  Here's one interesting thing I've discovered about my rifle:  every first shot out of a cold barrel (the first shot of the outing) is always "bang on" point of aim.  I'm talking hitting a DIME @ 50 yards.  Now THAT's a peculiarity I can appreciate in a rifle destined for hunting!

I haven't played any of the "tweaking" games suggested in the FAQs (make that "not yet").  I've been using JB Bore Paste some between shootings.  I HAVE also tried to be careful about placing the sandbag at or near the pivot point on the barrel (as suggested in the FAQs).  I suspect that these Superlights are especially sensitive to benchrest technique.

In short, I'm having fun and experiencing modest success.  I find it very helpful to hear about your experiences.  Thanks!

[whiskey101]

This is really encouraging. I am going to try mine in the same manner you tried. I hope for near the same results.

[PeterCartwright]

O.K.  Just got back from the range.  The little .223 did best yet with the 53gr. TSX bullets backed by 25gr. H4895 and CCI Small Rifle primers.  The 50 yard/3 shot group measured less than 5/8", center to center.  I'm ready to move out to 100 yards now to get some more useful data.  I'm reasonably convinced that this Barnes TSX load extends the lethality of the .223 about as far as it's going to go.

I was especially scrupulous about following the benchrest technique suggested at the top of the site.

[quickdtoo]

More good news!!