Author Topic: the reason i ask (Read 484 times)

bobg · « **on:** February 12, 2005, 09:30:03 AM »

About a week ago i ask the proper way to resize brass for the Contender. The reason was i have been playing with a Virgin Valley 14" barrel in 221 Rem. FB. I just can't get it to shoot. All i have shot in it are hand loads. Thought probably it was me. Got out my VV 14" 300-221 barrel. I can shoot 5/8" 100yd. groups with this barrel. This barrel has been shot with nothing but Cor-Bon factory ammo. What are they doing that i am not? Thanks for any suggestions.
bobg

Special Ed · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2005, 01:07:29 PM »

I missed your other post, but I'll at least give my 2 cents worth.

Even though I handload, I start out with some factory ammo. It's hard to do load development & sight in a gun at the same time. It also allows me to get a feel for what the gun likes in terms of bullet weight & overall cartridge length.
If your reloading data lists H322 powder, give it a try. I have had excellent results with it in my 223 contender.
It can be frusrtating, keep tyring, the results will be worth it.

Crashnrondo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2005, 01:23:37 PM »

I agee with shooting some factory stuff first, with the fireball if you reload try 15.5 grains of Lil Gun and a 40 grain BT or v-max, either one shoots dimes at 100 yards. Full lenght resized and out of my 14" factory bbl and out of my Remy 700 LV. :grin:

Bug · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2005, 02:17:51 PM »

Bobg,
I've been going through the same thing with a new-to-me .22-250. It's not a T/C, nor even a handgun, but the same principles should apply.
My first try was with some previously-fired brass from another gun. My results were poor. I aquired some factory ammo and tested it. It didmuch better. I set my seater die off the factory ammo, for overall length. I'm still monkeying with the sizer & neck sizer. My second attempt was much better.
I also went a step further, and chronographed the factory loads. The closer I get to their velocity, the more similar my handloads' groups become to the factory fodder. Even the POI is moving to a similar place! I'm working slowly, watching for pressure signs and miking case head expansion. I fully expect that when I find the powder to equal factory pressure/velocity, at the same OAL, the grouping will be the same, or better. Then I will have an idea if it is a "fast" or "slow" barrel, where on the scale of pressure it "likes" to be, and can then begin to change other things like seating depth, different bullets (working up, or down as needed) and such things as that. HTH.

JD HHI 6092® · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2005, 10:52:12 AM »

I had a VV 300/221 barrel that I had the same problem with. No loads would shoot accurately in it. The folks at VV were no help also. I got frustrated and ended up selling it and buying a great barrel from SSK. Good luck.