Range report: .223-NOE 225 RN-Red dot

[Jim]

I ran a test today with Al Nelson's 225 60 RN boolit. I used 338REMULTRAMAG's aluminum gas checks and Graphlox lube. I tried chambering by just dropping rounds in the receiver and closing the bolt and by feeding from the magazine. Absolutely no feeding problems in either manner.

On a side bar note, this is the first test at velocities past MACH for the graphlox. I have experienced no leading at all with this lube. It does leave a film in the barrel, but it's a shiney film.

Notice the 4.3 grain group. That's 3 shots. That load and the 6.1 gr. load would do fine for ground hogs.
72674

[**oneshot**]

Awesome!!! Love that mold.

[Riflerev]

Looks pretty damn good Jim. Keep me in the loop.

[Jim]

More tests and reports forthcoming.

[jonp]

I have both a 223 and a ton of red dot. I'm very interested in this and have not tried red dot with the 223 yet but I guess I will load a few up and try it. Have you tried any other boolits with it?

[Jim]

I have both a 223 and a ton of red dot. I'm very interested in this and have not tried red dot with the 223 yet but I guess I will load a few up and try it. Have you tried any other boolits with it?

Click FLOYD FILES in my signature. Look for pages marked 'Cast boolits in .223" & "Cast boolits in .308". There's a lot of other stuff for you to browse through if you like.

[Thumbcocker]

Interesting to see a rifle talk to you about what it likes.

[nanuk]

Jim, I think with a little tweaking, you could tighten up that 4.3gr load..... does your scale measure down to 0.01 grains???

all touching at 50yds would make me :bigsmyl2:

[Jim]

Jim, I think with a little tweaking, you could tighten up that 4.3gr load..... does your scale measure down to 0.01 grains???.....

Typically, when I start a new series of tests, I'll load groups of three rounds each in increments of .2 or .3 grain spreads. I'll shoot the test, look for the best group and then load three round groups in increments of .1 grain groups on either side of the best group from the first test.

This helps save time, powder, primers and boolits. If I loaded groups of .1 grain increments initially, I'd be shooting two or even three times as many rounds.

It doesn't happen often, but on occasion, I'll luck up and shoot a group like that 4.3. I see no need for a second test on that one.

[Fluxed]

What is the twist of the rifle you shot these groups with?

[Jim]

What is the twist of the rifle you shot these groups with?

Copied & pasted from the Savage Arms site-

223 REM
Description: Left-hand model new for 2012
Sku: 19652
Handed: Left
Rate of Twist: 9
Weight: 6.2 lbs
Overall Length: 40"
Barrel Length: 20"
Ammo Capacity: 4 round(s)

[TXGunNut]

Interesting that it seems to have two sweet spots. I've seem that before but chalked it up to 3-shot groups. Any chance you choro'd those loads?

[nanuk]

...
This helps save time, powder, primers and boolits. ...

Hahahaaa.... at 4.3gr per pop, the most expensive part of your testing is the primers and the walking to the target!

now, if you would be reloading primers also???

[Jim]

Interesting that it seems to have two sweet spots. I've seem that before but chalked it up to 3-shot groups. Any chance you choro'd those loads?

Not yet. I've been given an F-1 Shooting Chrony and a piece of bank window ballistic lexan to protect the screen. I've never tried out for the CSC (Chrony Shooters' Club) and have no intention of trying out for it with a brand new chrony that was given to me. I'm headed into town today to the hardware store to buy material for a portable stand for the chrony. When I get it built, I'll chrony the best groups and post the data.

I've seen very little published data where someone started at the bottom (or lower) of the load window and worked all the way through it to the top. I've always thought there might be more than one sweet spot, but never pursued it. Since I started this testing last year, I've found that to be the case a few times.

[TCLouis]

I can't wait to downsize this for the 222 and see what it will do.

[Jim]

73812

[Jim]

..... Getting Red Dot to throw 1/10gr consistently is a trick in itself....a ball powder, flattened ball(WW231 or WST), or fine flake will meter better....

No assumptions at my bench. Every charge is trickled into an Ohaus 10 10 beam scale.

[nanuk]

Jim, judging by the tight groups, I'd say these light loads have helped you really learn techniques that allow a steady shot each time.

GOOD shooting

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

Jim, What alloy did you use?

[Jim]

Equal parts, by weight, of WWs and range lead, 2% Silva Brite brand lead free plumbers' solder and water dropped.