Range Report 1st hand .223 vs Wind @ TVP

[skep_tic1]

I was at Thunder Valley this past weekend for the Head Hunter match. We had 10mph to 15mph gusty wind all day. I was shooting my go to rifle. It's a 308 pushing a 175 SMK at 2640fps. Past 550 yards the terrain effects on the wind were wreaking havoc on my scores. I'd hold a mil left and hit a mil left.... next shot, I'd hold a mil left and hit 2 mil right. It blew my mind really b/c i've never had this problem shooting over flat consistent terrain.

The story gets better......

After the first stage this guy starts having some problems with his rifle. His problems were to the point that he could no longer participate and he didn't have a backup.

So... It was a relatively small group so I offered to let him shoot the .223 that I had just had built to throw 80 grain AMAX's. The rifle is a Model 70 Win. with a 7 twist Scheider tube and USO pushing that little AMAX at 2800fps. I've hardly shot it past 300 yards, and I definitely didn't have enough time behind it to shoot a match. Plus, WE ALL KNEW THERE WAS NO WAY THE .223 COULD COMPETE IN WINDY CONDITIONS.....
Well, low and behold the guy accepted the offer. We ran up a dope chart for it and off we go to the second stage (5 targets per stage).

1st shooter (7mm ultra); pitiful
2nd shooter (25.06); not quite as pitiful
3rd shooter me (.308); pitiful
last shooter (the guy with my .223 rifle); dude starts ringing steel solid inside 400 yards. Then he moves to the 500+ targets and..... bang..hit, bang..hit, bang..hit

<span style="font-size: 20pt">When he hit the 10 inch steel plate on his second attempt in a solid 10mph wind at 1048 yards I learned a lot about the capabilities of those long .223 bullets</span>

top of

thing the guy doing this was a self proclaimed novice.

 

[RStewart]

Re: 1st hand .223 vs Wind @ TVP

I exclusively shoot a .223 in Mid-range. 80 SMK's at 2962 fps. If winds are consistent, once you dial in you're there. Now, if the winds start changing, that's where wind reading comes in!
Good job on his part!

 

[mateofeo85]

Re: 1st hand .223 vs Wind @ TVP

Very generous offer to let him keep shooting. That's quite a come-up for him to do that well on a new gun.

I recently made the same discovery shooting .223. I hand load 77smk's on 24gr TAC, but never really took them past 300. Here in the open desert of southern NM, we get ridiculous wind situations. Not in the sense of high velocities, but @ 100yds blowing 5-10mph left, and @ 300 yds blowing 5-10mph right, and so on. Kinda crazy to gauge.

Anyways, after some notable grouping at 300, I moved out to 600 & 850. On steel in crosswinds, I was astounded by the accuracy of the long & heavy's performance.

I guess I need to take a try at 1k with them!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: 1st hand .223 vs Wind @ TVP

After owning (and eventually selling) a Colt Match Target MT6700 AR-15, I was seriously underwhelmed by the .223's extended range performance.

Then recently, I acquired a Stag Model 6 Super Varminter, with a 24: 1:8" stainless heavy barrel. This rifle shoots the way I was hoping, and failing to see, my MT6700 shoot.

Still in an early stage of load development with Varget and HDY 75gr HPBT Match (nekkid), I am already favorably impressed, and fully expect this rifle to eventually reach F T/R accuracy standards.

Both of my Grandkids have already managed scores in the 170's out of 200 in their novice Odessa FV250 matches with it, shooting $11/box Prvi 69gr Match off the bipod. Using the same ammo at Springwater, I placed smack in the middle of the pack of Varmint AR's.

Greg

 

[triceratops3]

Re: 1st hand .223 vs Wind @ TVP

Before my buddy and I rebarreled all we had were .223's and tried to shoot a few matches. It was interesting to say the least.

 

[turbo54]

Re: 1st hand .223 vs Wind @ TVP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: triceratops3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Before my buddy and I rebarreled all we had were .223's and tried to shoot a few matches. It was interesting to say the least. </div></div>

The 80's and 90's from the fast twist barrels are a whole different animal though...

 

[triceratops3]

Re: 1st hand .223 vs Wind @ TVP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: triceratops3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Before my buddy and I rebarreled all we had were .223's and tried to shoot a few matches. It was interesting to say the least. </div></div>

The 80's and 90's from the fast twist barrels are a whole different animal though... </div></div>

Yeah, I've ran some numbers through JBM and that's why I'm rebarreling my current 1/9 .223 to probably 1/7 and possibly AI'ing it too..

The numbers are pretty impressive for a .223.

OH, and thats a nice looking rifle too.

 

[223ai]

Re: 1st hand .223 vs Wind @ TVP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: triceratops3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Before my buddy and I rebarreled all we had were .223's and tried to shoot a few matches. It was interesting to say the least. </div></div>

The 80's and 90's from the fast twist barrels are a whole different animal though...</div></div>

Absolutlely right. If only 82 bergers hit harder at distance, and match directors allowed it, I'd run my 223 in every match I shoot. Pointed 82 bergers, at 2900 out of my bolt rifle, match my 260 for drop/wind out to 1k. Unpointed, at the same speed, they share similar dope to 155's at 2900-2950 out of a 308.

I love my 223 with heavies.

 

[ballistic1]

Re: 1st hand .223 vs Wind @ TVP

Great story.. Awesome generousity to the OP as well.

Inspiring to say the least, glad you shared this.