Equipment: Remington 700 SPS-V (1:12 26"), AICS stock, NF NXS 5.5-22x56mm
My current load is: 168g SMK, 43.5grs IMR4895, Win brass, 2.810" COAL, CCI BR2 primers. With this load, the rifle is averaging 1/2 MOA 5 shot groups at 100yds. It will shoot sub-moa out to 600yds, with a 1.112 MOA 4 shot group at 500yds and a 4.446" 600yd group being among the best and I haven't tested it at ranges further than 600. The rifle absolutely loves this load, I can't get over the performance I am getting out of it. Other people have shot the rifle and all shoot 1/2" 5 shot groups at 100yds with ease, its quite predictable. But that's the only load that has seemed to work.
The problem is, I need to find another load using either a 175gr or 155gr bullet because I have some 1000yd matches coming up in the next few months. From the info. I've gathered, 168gr bullets tend to de-stabilize by the time they reach 1000yds and most shooters have more success with either a lighter, faster bullet or a heavier, wind resistant bullet. I tried 175gr Nosler custom bullets, loaded with Varget (i cant remember the sizes of charges I used) but they all grouped well over 1 MOA at 100yds.
Due to my slow twist rate, I want to use a 155gr bullet so I can push it faster than my 168gr load. I just tested a new batch of 155gr loads and had dissapointing results:
Test pack data: Lapua Scenar 155gr bullets, new and un-worked lapua brass, varget powder, CCI BR2 primers, 2.800" COAL. 25 rounds total, 5 shot tests of 45.0, 45.5,46.0, 46.5, 47.0 grains. All cartridges were put through a concentricity gauge and bullet run out was corrected. The 47.0 load was the only 5 shot group to measure under 1 MOA at 100 yds, but it also had one big flyer which surprised me as the shot felt good when it broke. The rest grouped terribly and were all over 1 MOA. I plan on testing the 47.0 load again, this time with different seating depths. Overall, the performance was terrible when compared to my 168gr load. I tried IMR4895 a few weeks ago with 155gr SMK bullets, but those also grouped pretty bad. I think that the IMR's burn rate is too fast for a lighter projectile. My buddy has an AI AW, with the same twist rate and barrel length as I do, and his Varget+Lapua Scenar 155gr load is grouping at 1/4 MOA at 100yds. I certainly don't expect those results with a factory barrel/action, but I do think that my rifle should be able to reach 1/2 moa with a 155gr bullet because of the great results I am already seeing with a 168gr bullet.
My questions for you:
Should I stick with my 1/2 MOA 168gr load when I shoot at 1000yds??
What should I change next time when I test the 155gr loads?
I am switching to 155gr. SMK Palma bullets because they cost much less, what should I load for a test pack?
Thanks a lot for the input!
My current load is: 168g SMK, 43.5grs IMR4895, Win brass, 2.810" COAL, CCI BR2 primers. With this load, the rifle is averaging 1/2 MOA 5 shot groups at 100yds. It will shoot sub-moa out to 600yds, with a 1.112 MOA 4 shot group at 500yds and a 4.446" 600yd group being among the best and I haven't tested it at ranges further than 600. The rifle absolutely loves this load, I can't get over the performance I am getting out of it. Other people have shot the rifle and all shoot 1/2" 5 shot groups at 100yds with ease, its quite predictable. But that's the only load that has seemed to work.
The problem is, I need to find another load using either a 175gr or 155gr bullet because I have some 1000yd matches coming up in the next few months. From the info. I've gathered, 168gr bullets tend to de-stabilize by the time they reach 1000yds and most shooters have more success with either a lighter, faster bullet or a heavier, wind resistant bullet. I tried 175gr Nosler custom bullets, loaded with Varget (i cant remember the sizes of charges I used) but they all grouped well over 1 MOA at 100yds.
Due to my slow twist rate, I want to use a 155gr bullet so I can push it faster than my 168gr load. I just tested a new batch of 155gr loads and had dissapointing results:
Test pack data: Lapua Scenar 155gr bullets, new and un-worked lapua brass, varget powder, CCI BR2 primers, 2.800" COAL. 25 rounds total, 5 shot tests of 45.0, 45.5,46.0, 46.5, 47.0 grains. All cartridges were put through a concentricity gauge and bullet run out was corrected. The 47.0 load was the only 5 shot group to measure under 1 MOA at 100 yds, but it also had one big flyer which surprised me as the shot felt good when it broke. The rest grouped terribly and were all over 1 MOA. I plan on testing the 47.0 load again, this time with different seating depths. Overall, the performance was terrible when compared to my 168gr load. I tried IMR4895 a few weeks ago with 155gr SMK bullets, but those also grouped pretty bad. I think that the IMR's burn rate is too fast for a lighter projectile. My buddy has an AI AW, with the same twist rate and barrel length as I do, and his Varget+Lapua Scenar 155gr load is grouping at 1/4 MOA at 100yds. I certainly don't expect those results with a factory barrel/action, but I do think that my rifle should be able to reach 1/2 moa with a 155gr bullet because of the great results I am already seeing with a 168gr bullet.
My questions for you:
Should I stick with my 1/2 MOA 168gr load when I shoot at 1000yds??
What should I change next time when I test the 155gr loads?
I am switching to 155gr. SMK Palma bullets because they cost much less, what should I load for a test pack?
Thanks a lot for the input!
