.17 HMR lots

[buckmaster_kp]

The last box of Hornady 17gr. I bought is more than less junk. I am getting several flyers when I shoot for groups. One question: the number stamped on the bottom of the box is C24L15--> I'm assuming that "15" is the lot. Also what is the "C" number?

Just wanted to know how to read this so I don't pick up any more boxes from this bunch.

[statelinerut]

Getting flyers with 17hmr ammo is common until you get the  barrel seasoned in real good. You need to go thru the same type break in session as with any other barrel, so I am told. Shoot one round, clean bore, for 5 shots. Cleaning after every shot. Then shoot 5 rounds, clean bore. Repeat this one about 5 times. This should help to start eliminate the fowling as bad. But a new barrel never shot through is gonna fowl up pretty quick. The .17 hmrs are known to do this more than others. You can go to the sticky section and look up barrel break in steps, and this should help. Just dont blame the ammo yet.

[victorcharlie]

I recall a post by someone at rifecentral.com who ran an informal test on .17HMR ammo and his conclusion was the flyers appeared to be caused by a difference in over all length.  I haven't tried it myself, but if this were true a fellow could measure and sort the ammo by length.

I do know that when loading centerfire rounds, bullet seating and over all length make a pretty big difference and best accuracy for me comes as the bullet is seated just touching or slightly off the lands of the rifiling.

Again, I haven't verified this but the theory appears sound IMO......

[Keith L]

You might also want to try weighing each round and see if some are different.  This too is quite common for rimfire shooters.