I recently switched lots of Varget for my 223 trainer reloads (80gr ELD-M over Varget with WCC brass and FGMM SR primers), and did a quick velocity check. The first 3 rounds looked great, and only a few FPS slower than the old lot - then the wheels fell off. I ended up running 10 rounds over my Magnetospeed V3 and had an SD of nearly 30 and an ES approaching 70 from the same load that previously gave single digit SDs and ES around 20. I had some leftover ammo loaded with the old lot of powder with me, and ran them over the chrono, as well - with the same results. 2-3 shots would be in the same velocity range as before, then one shot 30-40FPS slower, and one as much as 80FPS slower, then a couple back at normal speed. The same chrono gave me a 5SD with my 6 Creedmoor reloads just a few minutes before the 223 test, and there's no signs of a bullet strike on the bayonet.
Other than my 223 barrel suddenly letting go at ~4000 rounds, is there something I could be missing? Groups on paper looked typical for this rifle and ammo (roughly .5MOA), and the barrel was cleaned about 100 rounds ago after a couple thousand rounds of consistent performance without cleaning.
Other than my 223 barrel suddenly letting go at ~4000 rounds, is there something I could be missing? Groups on paper looked typical for this rifle and ammo (roughly .5MOA), and the barrel was cleaned about 100 rounds ago after a couple thousand rounds of consistent performance without cleaning.
