Expectations re accuracy with various loads

[tyrorifleman308]

I'm pretty much limited to the precision semi-auto game, so please forgive this post if the statement below is not very well constructed or focused.

Would you guys agree that any barrel (let's use my 16" nitrided Rock Creek barrel, 1x8, with modified Wylde chamber) will favor (1), or maybe (2), rounds and shoot those exceptionally well, while not doing so well with other OTM rounds. For example, my upper will shoot 10 shot groups measuring about .75" to .85" at 100 yds with BH 77 gr ammo, while doing about 2.5" with 64 gr barrier blind SPEER Gold Dots and 1.5" with Hornady 75 gr TAP (practice/steel cased). Asym 77 gr shot like shit and the 68 gr was not very good either.

What's your experience with high quality barrels and accuracy/precision across the board with OTM rounds?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

Rifles can always favor one load or projectile over another. That said, the BH 77gr is great stuff and that's pretty decent groups with it. The others, despite being good loads, they're not precision match ammunition. They're more battle/budget loads and I've had similar results with the TAP. I have no experience with the Asym brand so no comment there.

If you want precision shooting results, feed it precision ammunition. That is best done by rolling your own and doing a proper load development, but it sounds like you've at least found a factory load your rifle likes in the meantime.

 

[tyrorifleman308]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

In re-reading my post, I see how unrealistic it is to expect one barrel to shoot different match loads equally well. My rifle shoots BH 77 exceptionally well and Hornady 75 gr (steel cased) ammo "good enough." I expect that the standard 75 gr TAP (brass cased .223) will shoot better than the steel stuff.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

Would I agree that rifles have personalities of their own and like certain ammo - yes but that being said you have to match apples with apples - like if my rifle likes BH 77's but hated Federal 77's with the same weigh bullet or Mk 262 Mod 1 bullets than yes I would say it likes a certain type bullet but I have to use all the same types to ensure the test is fair and honest. I can also say my bolt rifle 223 likes 77 SMK's but doesn't like 75 AMAX for what ever reason - I have no idea why but only thing I changed was bullets and not powder. I could monkey around with powder to see if it likes the 75 AMAX but why; it likes 77's so I will stay there.

I am all about finding out what it likes and sticking with it so as to cut down on my logistical challenges.

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

What you stated is pretty much a general rule as long as you're talking about factory ammo. You have to find out what works and what doesn't in your particular weapon. However, chances are pretty good that you could find a load that would work well for some of the projectiles that performed poorly in factory loads if you were to develop handloads tuned to your rifle with that particular projectile. More simply put, the poor performance to some extent is probably more a case of being limited to a specific factory load than your rifle not "liking" a specific projectile.

As an example, I had a .223 that loved Black Hills 77 gr, just like yours. However, it did very poorly with FGMM 77 gr. Both use the SMK 77 gr projectile, but did not perform the same at all out of that rifle. My take is that the difference in performance was due to the different muzzle velocities and barrel harmonics between the two loads, although I have no scientific proof of that other than the MVs weren't the same. Bottom line, if you're limited to factory, stick with what works well.

 

[Graham]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

In my experience a Wylde chamber will shoot almost anything very well.

 

[tyrorifleman308]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

What you guys are saying makes perfect sense and there are more variables that are present in factory loads that I did not take into account, which affect a bullet's performance. However, I am fortunate that my rifle shoots BH 77gr exceptionally well. I hope that it will also group at least MOA with .223 pressure 75gr TAP, as this round has exceptional terminal ballistics.

 

[RTH1800]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

Sir,
When I have one load that meets or exceeds my standards, I quit looking and feel lucky. JMO

 

[Raider Power]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

I've found rifles have their own personalities. I have two AR's and both shoot pretty well. My colt shoots everything from 52 grain amaxs to 77 grain MatchKings about the same. My rock river has been far more picky about the loads it likes.

I reload for several bolt rifles also and I've seen several rifles that like one or two loads and that's it. Others could care less what you feed them and they still group well.

 

[tyrorifleman308]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

Ok, so having a barrel that will shoot a variety of ammo (and I'm not talking about practice crap or bulk, but quality OTM or SD loads) is a rare exception. After the responses that I have read here, I am content with how my rifle is shooting. I also think going with brass cased 75gr TAP should yield 1 MOA groups. Thanks for all the feedback, gents.

 

[308sako]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

I run an 18" 1 in 8 Rock Creek, also melonited (QPQ'd) and have had issues with all but a few assorted loads when precision is the desired result. I feel it is the melonite and internal friction issues which have created this. That said I would ask how many rounds through your barrel and am observing mine improving as it approaches the 2K mark.

 

[tyrorifleman308]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

I am glad you chimed in. I sent the first barrel back, because it was grouping like crap. The guy that put my upper together agreed and replaced it. Right now, the second barrel only has about 70 rounds through it, which were all for accuracy testing. The previous barrel had about 500 rds through it. The guy who put my upper together was surprised how bad my first barrel was shooting, as he has observed that most of these barrels doing pretty good across the spectrum with quality loads.

What is this friction issue you are mentioning? The guy I bought the upper from also mentioned something about the barrels settling in after 200 to 400 rounds, or something like that.

 

[308sako]

Re: Expectations re accuracy with various loads

Sorry for the late reply, The friction is far less than a standard barrel, and perhaps the QPQ makes the barrel too smooth (my theory) and as powder fouling builds the barrel would group, then fall apart because the fouling doesn't stick! As you may have noticed, a wet patch and the barrel is spotless... amazing on that end. Now with 2100 rounds the rifle has gone from best loads regardless of bullet weight of 1.1 MOA to best loads at .5 MOA. I think it is breaking in LOL, or at least beginning to hold a small amount of fouling.

I spoke to Paul T at Rock, and he had me speak to the guy that did the profiling and chambering... major player, and they fully back the work, and no complaints with them. I have another barrel coming from Rock also QPQ'd eventually.