texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,416
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,768
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,994
Posts9,719,228
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Ever had a rifle not like ammo? #6911070 10/06/17 03:27 PM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
H
HansETX Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
H
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
I have a DiamondBack .223 with a 1:8 twist barrel that I use for hog hunting. Tried to sight in the Hornady Black .75 grain and couldn't get it sighted in. One round would be high/left and the second, without any scope adjustment, would be low/right. Very frustrating! Tried multiple boxes of the same ammo just to make sure that it wasn't a bad box, and got the same results. Switched back to my regular ammo, Hornady .223 58 grain, and got it sighted in with 2 shots. I've never had a rifle not like ammo like this before. Hornady's ammo is my favorite and I've killed lots of hogs with it but my rifle didn't like the Hornady Black 75 grain. Like I said, this has never happened to me before, anybody out there with a similar experience of a rifle not liking a certain type of ammo? My buddy has a .223, different make but same barrel twist and his rifle shoots it just fine.. that's the most frustrating part of the whole ordeal..


HansETX on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hansetx
"The Late Night Vision Show" Podcast | All Things Night Vision- Available on iTunes, Google Play, iHeart Radio, YouTube
https://www.thelatenightvisionshow.com
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911167 10/06/17 04:43 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
S
SapperTitan Offline
Taking Requests
Offline
Taking Requests
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
Yes

When I first purchased my Browning A-bolt in 270 I got a box of Core-lokt and went to the range. I could not get these rounds to group worth a dang and sure couldn't zero it. Bought a box of Federal Fusion 150 gr and zeroed in 3 shots and had a group smaller than an inch at 100 yds.

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911198 10/06/17 05:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 49
S
SJdport57 Offline
Light Foot
Offline
Light Foot
S
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 49
My Yugoslavian SKS will not properly chamber anything but the cheapest steel case ammo. I learned quickly that those old Eastern European firearms weren't made to shoot quality brass case ammo.

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: SapperTitan] #6911199 10/06/17 05:13 PM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
H
HansETX Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
H
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
Yes

When I first purchased my Browning A-bolt in 270 I got a box of Core-lokt and went to the range. I could not get these rounds to group worth a dang and sure couldn't zero it. Bought a box of Federal Fusion 150 gr and zeroed in 3 shots and had a group smaller than an inch at 100 yds.


Well good, then I'm not the only one.. I had myself convinced that my thermal scope was broke or something..


HansETX on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hansetx
"The Late Night Vision Show" Podcast | All Things Night Vision- Available on iTunes, Google Play, iHeart Radio, YouTube
https://www.thelatenightvisionshow.com
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911267 10/06/17 06:06 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
C
ChadTRG42 Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
C
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
Yes, I've seen it many times. Factory ammo is loaded on large progressive machines and the powder is dispensed out by volume (not weighed). You will get a large powder charge variation this way, often times in the 1 to 1.5 grain spread. I have seen as high as a 2 grain spread on some magnum ammo. This causes 2 main problems.

1- the large powder charge variation takes you in and out of any possible accuracy node. When I test a rifle for load work up, I vary the powder charges in .3 or .4 grain increments. Load A would be, say 44.0 grains of powder, Load B 44.3 grains, Load C 44.6, Load D 44.9, etc. I am dialing in the ammo to the rifle in this manner. If your factory ammo has a spread of AT LEAST 1 to 1.5 grains spread, you are covering multiple accuracy nodes in one ammo lot and it's causing large spreads in the consistency of the ammo. This boils down to open groups, POI shifts, and poor consistency.

2- the larger powder variation will cause a high extreme spread on velocity, effecting the point of impacts, and inconsistent groups at longer ranges. Most factory ammo will be in the 50-100 fps extreme spread, sometimes more.

But, if a rifle shoots a certain bullet really bad, it doesn't mean that the rifle doesn't like that bullet. It means that the rifle does not like the load used with that bullet (meaning the powder and powder charge). For example, I had a customer who wanted to shoot the 180 grain Accubond out of his 300 WM. He tried several factory loads, and nothing shot good. He called me for load work up and said, let's not use this bullet, since my rifle does not like this bullet. That's false. What your rifle didn't like was the factory load used with your rifle. We selected this bullet for load work up, and that rifle ended up shooting that bullet very well.

Also consider your caliber you are shooting. I have seen 223 ammo shoot night and day different in various rifles. I have 2 AR-15's, both in 223. One is a cheap $750 rifle, and the other was a high end match upper. I dialed in a load with a 60 grain V-max in the cheap AR. It shot about 3/4" to 1". Not bad, I'll take it. I loaded up a bunch of that ammo. Later, I tried the 60 grain V-max ammo in my custom upper, and it shot about 4"-5" groups at 100, and it was very random. I thought something was broken or going wrong. So, I started over, and changed up the powder and loaded some test loads with the same 60 grain V-max, just with a different powder. It shot amazingly better, and one of the loads shot 1 ragged hole at 100. For S&G, I tried the other 60 grain V-max ammo, and same bad groups. So, how does 1 high end rifle shoot the exact same bullet (seated to the same seating depth) so bad with 1 load, and the other load shoot bug holes? It's a mystery to me!

I have seen 223 being one of the worst calibers for this large variation in accuracy. Change something up, and it could get better.


[Linked Image]
Custom and Precision Ammunition!!
https://DallasReloads.com/
Type 01 and Type 06 FFL
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911271 10/06/17 06:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 903
E
Erich Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
E
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 903
75grn is a big bullet for a .223. since its a small diameter it means the bullet is long/longer than normal. rifles with a fast rate of twist meant for shooting small bullets will not do well with longer heavy for caliber bullets. standard load for a .223 is a 40-50grn bullet. imagine doubling that weight the bullet would be approaching twice as long.

I have a Remington .223 and shoot some 60grn nosler partition thru it. they shoot well, and the partition gives the performance one would expect to get by go to a larger bullet. you probably need to experiment a bit with what is the largest grain bullet the rifle will accept and then see what options you have for that bullet size.


Outdoorsman
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: Erich] #6911276 10/06/17 06:11 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
C
ChadTRG42 Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
C
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
Originally Posted By: Erich
75grn is a big bullet for a .223. since its a small diameter it means the bullet is long/longer than normal. rifles with a fast rate of twist meant for shooting small bullets will not do well with longer heavy for caliber bullets. standard load for a .223 is a 40-50grn bullet. imagine doubling that weight the bullet would be approaching twice as long.


Sorry, but this is 100% incorrect (on the twist and stability part). Yes, 75 grain is a heavier and longer bullet. But in a 1:8" twist, this 75 grain BTHP Hornady bullet will be adequately stable. Rifles with a faster twist are designed to shoot the longer/heavier bullets, that's why they have the faster twist. A lighter/shorter bullet requires less twist to stabilize, so they tend to work in a 1:12" or 1:9" twist.


[Linked Image]
Custom and Precision Ammunition!!
https://DallasReloads.com/
Type 01 and Type 06 FFL
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: ChadTRG42] #6911281 10/06/17 06:13 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
S
SapperTitan Offline
Taking Requests
Offline
Taking Requests
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
Originally Posted By: Erich
75grn is a big bullet for a .223. since its a small diameter it means the bullet is long/longer than normal. rifles with a fast rate of twist meant for shooting small bullets will not do well with longer heavy for caliber bullets. standard load for a .223 is a 40-50grn bullet. imagine doubling that weight the bullet would be approaching twice as long.


Sorry, but this is 100% incorrect.
Id bet there is more 55 and 62 Grain 223/556 than any other grain.

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911284 10/06/17 06:19 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 903
E
Erich Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
E
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 903
unless you have some sort of special match/target grade rifle that is meant for shooting heavier match grade bullets I would think most .223 have a faster rate of twist meant for shoot small/short bullets. 60grn will probably be your threshold for accuracy if you did well with the 58grn, no reason the 60 shouldn't be ok as well.

a larger bore rifle like a .270 or .30 cal or larger has a slower rate of twist to accommodate a larger bullet. I believe twist rate of 1:8 means there is a complete turn of the rifling for every 8in of barrel. its tighter because it has to be to put any traction on a small bullet. larger bullets are more flexible on variety of bullet weight. my brother shot loads in a .270 from a 90grn load to a 150 and at 100yds all were near the bull.

I have a .54 cal hawken muzzleloader that has a 1:60 rate of twist, the barrel is not 60in long, so it never makes a full turn, but the bullet is huge.


Outdoorsman
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911287 10/06/17 06:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
H
HansETX Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
H
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
That's all good info, thanks. I just got some Maker .223 62 grain and I'm going to try that out next..


HansETX on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hansetx
"The Late Night Vision Show" Podcast | All Things Night Vision- Available on iTunes, Google Play, iHeart Radio, YouTube
https://www.thelatenightvisionshow.com
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: Erich] #6911290 10/06/17 06:28 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
S
SapperTitan Offline
Taking Requests
Offline
Taking Requests
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
Originally Posted By: Erich
unless you have some sort of special match/target grade rifle that is meant for shooting heavier match grade bullets I would think most .223 have a faster rate of twist meant for shoot small/short bullets. 60grn will probably be your threshold for accuracy if you did well with the 58grn, no reason the 60 shouldn't be ok as well.

a larger bore rifle like a .270 or .30 cal or larger has a slower rate of twist to accommodate a larger bullet. I believe twist rate of 1:8 means there is a complete turn of the rifling for every 8in of barrel. its tighter because it has to be to put any traction on a small bullet. larger bullets are more flexible on variety of bullet weight. my brother shot loads in a .270 from a 90grn load to a 150 and at 100yds all were near the bull.

I have a .54 cal hawken muzzleloader that has a 1:60 rate of twist, the barrel is not 60in long, so it never makes a full turn, but the bullet is huge.
The military shoots 62 grain in a 1/7 right hand twist accurately out to 300 meters and capable of further. Almost all bulk ammo is 55gr or 62gr and they both shoot very well in a 1/7.

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911306 10/06/17 06:37 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 903
E
Erich Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
E
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 903
if you know for sure you are probably right. I just know bullet size and rate of twist can make a difference.


Outdoorsman
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: Erich] #6911310 10/06/17 06:39 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
S
SapperTitan Offline
Taking Requests
Offline
Taking Requests
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
Originally Posted By: Erich
if you know for sure you are probably right. I just know bullet size and rate of twist can make a difference.
Was in the Army for almost 12 yrs I'm positive.

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911327 10/06/17 06:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
C
ChadTRG42 Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
C
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
Here's a little bit of info. Do you know why the military went to a 1:7" twist? ..... NATO specified the type of bullets that can and can not be used. Early models of AR-15's ran 1:12", and some were 1:9" twists. The terminal performance (what happens internally when a bullet enters soft tissue) was not that great. We found out if you go to a 1:7" twist and spin the bullet fast, the RPM's go way up. A bullet fired out of the 7" twist barrels enter soft tissue, and the rotational force causes the bullet to yaw, then tumble or fragment. This extra spin allows even an FMJ bullet to yaw and tumble and be more effective for better terminal performance.


[Linked Image]
Custom and Precision Ammunition!!
https://DallasReloads.com/
Type 01 and Type 06 FFL
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: ChadTRG42] #6911330 10/06/17 07:02 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
S
SapperTitan Offline
Taking Requests
Offline
Taking Requests
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
Here's a little bit of info. Do you know why the military went to a 1:7" twist? ..... NATO specified the type of bullets that can and can not be used. Early models of AR-15's ran 1:12", and some were 1:9" twists. The terminal performance (what happens internally when a bullet enters soft tissue) was not that great. We found out if you go to a 1:7" twist and spin the bullet fast, the RPM's go way up. A bullet fired out of the 7" twist barrels enter soft tissue, and the rotational force causes the bullet to yaw, then tumble or fragment. This extra spin allows even an FMJ bullet to yaw and tumble and be more effective for better terminal performance.
and that's how you get around not being able to use hollow points or any type of bullet that expands roflmao

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911332 10/06/17 07:04 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
C
ChadTRG42 Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
C
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
^^^ Exactly!!! Sometimes the military does do it right!!! I guess when it comes to killing sh%t, they got that down!


[Linked Image]
Custom and Precision Ammunition!!
https://DallasReloads.com/
Type 01 and Type 06 FFL
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: SapperTitan] #6911334 10/06/17 07:05 PM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
H
HansETX Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
H
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
Here's a little bit of info. Do you know why the military went to a 1:7" twist? ..... NATO specified the type of bullets that can and can not be used. Early models of AR-15's ran 1:12", and some were 1:9" twists. The terminal performance (what happens internally when a bullet enters soft tissue) was not that great. We found out if you go to a 1:7" twist and spin the bullet fast, the RPM's go way up. A bullet fired out of the 7" twist barrels enter soft tissue, and the rotational force causes the bullet to yaw, then tumble or fragment. This extra spin allows even an FMJ bullet to yaw and tumble and be more effective for better terminal performance.
and that's how you get around not being able to use hollow points or any type of bullet that expands roflmao


Very true..


HansETX on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hansetx
"The Late Night Vision Show" Podcast | All Things Night Vision- Available on iTunes, Google Play, iHeart Radio, YouTube
https://www.thelatenightvisionshow.com
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: ChadTRG42] #6911344 10/06/17 07:13 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
S
SapperTitan Offline
Taking Requests
Offline
Taking Requests
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
^^^ Exactly!!! Sometimes the military does do it right!!! I guess when it comes to killing sh%t, they got that down!
50Cal API now that will keel.

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911454 10/06/17 08:49 PM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
H
HansETX Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
H
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
Oh heck yeah


HansETX on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hansetx
"The Late Night Vision Show" Podcast | All Things Night Vision- Available on iTunes, Google Play, iHeart Radio, YouTube
https://www.thelatenightvisionshow.com
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911554 10/06/17 10:32 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,045
M
mikei Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
M
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,045
I'm a bit surprised that there has been no discussion about barrel harmonics. I'm a reloader and have several Ruger #1's that I tried to get to shoot inside a barn at 100 yards without much luck. Finally, in frustration, having tried all the published tricks of the trade to "fix" the problems, I bought a little rubber "doughnut" that slides onto the barrel. Moving the doughnut up or back in small increments, and CHANGING NOTHING ELSE in my loads, I started getting MOA out of 3 of the 4 rifles! I assume that the doughnut is a workaround for a more serious, bedding problem, but it worked well for me, and I think it must be a harmonics issue with the barrels that is dampened or changed by the rubber ring.

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: HansETX] #6911591 10/06/17 11:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,052
glocker17 Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,052
1/8 is about the perfect twist, 1/7 is really only need to spin longer than mag length target loads typically. If it will fit into a mag, a 1/8 will probably spin it just fine.

As far as yaw, a slower twist rate will yaw and become unstable quicker than the tighter twist , however it was abandoned with the adoption of heavier bullets and the longer tracer ammo that is used with it. However, a tighter twist rate increases fragmentation of the projectile much better and that increases its effectiveness.

As to the OP questions: Many stock rifles will have a preference for a particular load, a barrel that will shoot many loads well is harder to find.

Last edited by glocker17; 10/06/17 11:38 PM.
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: mikei] #6911769 10/07/17 02:29 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
S
Sneaky Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
Originally Posted By: mikei
I'm a bit surprised that there has been no discussion about barrel harmonics. I'm a reloader and have several Ruger #1's that I tried to get to shoot inside a barn at 100 yards without much luck. Finally, in frustration, having tried all the published tricks of the trade to "fix" the problems, I bought a little rubber "doughnut" that slides onto the barrel. Moving the doughnut up or back in small increments, and CHANGING NOTHING ELSE in my loads, I started getting MOA out of 3 of the 4 rifles! I assume that the doughnut is a workaround for a more serious, bedding problem, but it worked well for me, and I think it must be a harmonics issue with the barrels that is dampened or changed by the rubber ring.


I’d scrap a rifle barrel before I put that abomination on anything, even if it does work.

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: Sneaky] #6911970 10/07/17 12:21 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,045
M
mikei Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
M
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,045
Originally Posted By: Sneaky
Originally Posted By: mikei
I'm a bit surprised that there has been no discussion about barrel harmonics. I'm a reloader and have several Ruger #1's that I tried to get to shoot inside a barn at 100 yards without much luck. Finally, in frustration, having tried all the published tricks of the trade to "fix" the problems, I bought a little rubber "doughnut" that slides onto the barrel. Moving the doughnut up or back in small increments, and CHANGING NOTHING ELSE in my loads, I started getting MOA out of 3 of the 4 rifles! I assume that the doughnut is a workaround for a more serious, bedding problem, but it worked well for me, and I think it must be a harmonics issue with the barrels that is dampened or changed by the rubber ring.


I’d scrap a rifle barrel before I put that abomination on anything, even if it does work.


To each his own. I, personally, couldn't afford to replace the rifle barrels.

Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: Erich] #6912011 10/07/17 01:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,655
C
colt45-90 Offline
Texas colt45
Offline
Texas colt45
C
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,655
[quote=Erich]unless you have some sort of special match/target grade rifle that is meant for shooting heavier match grade bullets I would think most .223 have a faster rate of twist meant for shoot small/short bullets. 60grn will probably be your threshold for accuracy if you did well with the 58grn, no reason the 60 shouldn't be ok as well.

a larger bore rifle like a .270 or .30 cal or larger has a slower rate of twist to accommodate a larger bullet. I believe twist rate of 1:8 means there is a complete turn of the rifling for every 8in of barrel. its tighter because it has to be to put any traction on a small bullet. larger bullets are more flexible on variety of bullet weight. my brother shot loads in a .270 from a 90grn load to a 150 and at 100yds all were near the bull.

I have a .54 cal hawken muzzleloader that has a 1:60 rate of twist, the barrel is not 60in long, so it never makes a full turn, but the bullet is huge. [/quote) listen to Chad, you are totally wrong about fast twist barrels, only the past few years did mfg's start production with faster twist, the first ar I had wouldn't shoot anything over 55gr, my latest one I shoot 75gr with amazing results


hold on Newt, we got a runaway
Re: Ever had a rifle not like ammo? [Re: mikei] #6912062 10/07/17 02:19 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
S
Sneaky Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
Originally Posted By: mikei
Originally Posted By: Sneaky
Originally Posted By: mikei
I'm a bit surprised that there has been no discussion about barrel harmonics. I'm a reloader and have several Ruger #1's that I tried to get to shoot inside a barn at 100 yards without much luck. Finally, in frustration, having tried all the published tricks of the trade to "fix" the problems, I bought a little rubber "doughnut" that slides onto the barrel. Moving the doughnut up or back in small increments, and CHANGING NOTHING ELSE in my loads, I started getting MOA out of 3 of the 4 rifles! I assume that the doughnut is a workaround for a more serious, bedding problem, but it worked well for me, and I think it must be a harmonics issue with the barrels that is dampened or changed by the rubber ring.


I’d scrap a rifle barrel before I put that abomination on anything, even if it does work.


To each his own. I, personally, couldn't afford to replace the rifle barrels.


Neither can I. That’s how awful I think they look.

Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3