.223 problem

[josebd]

i loaded up some 55 vmax,blc2,26.4 grains and it still isnt grouping.one time itll shoot inch low,then 2 inches high,dont know if it just dont like the 55 vmax or what?had goodb luck with 50 sp hornady. any suggestions?

[Big Blue]

josebd,
  Just so you can eliminate any problems, other than that load. Try the Hornadys again to see if they are still shooting good for you.
Don

[josebd]

i cleaned the bore with some different copper removal but it still isnt grouping,even tried win 748, still the same

[223Shooter]

When I do load developement, I pick a powder and bullet......as example...55gr Hornaday SPSX....the loading manual says 25.0 to 27.8 using W748. I load 3 rounds each of 25.0...25.5...26.0 and so on, up to the max load. Pick the best group from these, then load 25.0...25.3...25.6 and so on. Then shoot these and you should be able to determine which load is best. And even finer tuning from this point may be necessary. Then you get to work with the OAL. I always start with a clean barrel.  Isn't this fun !!  

[josebd]

well i cleaned the barrel the other day,shot some 50 grain sp hornady,shot 6 times,then 3 more that a dime could cover. the next day went out with same ammo and it hasn't grouped since?

[223Shooter]

I'll suggest the obvious....make sure that your scope mounts are tight, including the scope bar. This is critical to consistency. Maybe a bad scope ??...... I am going out for yotes in a few minutes...but earlier this afternoon, I went and shot 5 rounds (.223) in my back yard range (60yds) just to be sure. The five shots could be covered with a dime. This is a brand new area that I will be hunting this afternoon so I want everything to be right.  

[josebd]

well i know just because its new diesn't mean it wont be bad, its a simmons 44 mag series

[josebd]

i loaded up some win 748,speer 50 grain sp,still didnt group good. loaded up same bullets with imr 3031,24.4 grains shot 6 times 2 were withing 3/4,the other 4 were just about touching each other. i dont understand how this happened, i was getting good groups with blc2,50 grain hornady,then i cleaned the barrel real good,and now it throws them all over the place.

[handirifle]

josebd
Mine did that to me and I was just about to throw the darn thing away.  After about 200rnds through it I tried the Win value pak and lo and behold the sucker really like them.  I mean like .86" 3 shot groups.  Some of my 40gr vmax loads can be covered with a dime.

Now that I knew there was hope I started loading again.  Mine so far really like the lighter bullets.  Hornady 40gr vmax.  The Win 45HP are the heaviest bullet it would group.  I think the barrel is just now getting broken in myself.

How many rounds have you put through it?

[josebd]

i bought it used,but i put probably 200 or 300 through it, im thinking that 55 grain is to heavy,im going to try 50 and 40 and see what happens

[josebd]

do you fl resize or neck only?

[handirifle]

josebd
I forgot to ask the standard Handi rifle questions.

Did you try the washer between the forearm and barrel?

Do you rest the rifle near the hinge point on the receiver?

Have you had a trigger job done or does it need it?

Did you try the Winchester Value pak?  $12 at Wal mart for 40rds and MOST find them very accurate in the Handi.

I assume you've eliminated the scope?  If not insure the mount screws are loctite'ed in with (I think) the blue loc tite.

Then re-check all scope mounts.

If NONE of this helps, then try another scope.

Good luck.