This is how I shot today .... be kind, I'm a beginner
Remington 700 .223 VLS, Vortex Crossfire II 6-24x50 Dead Hold BDC at x18 magnification, ZERO @ 100 yds.
Lake Havasu City, Az.
Even though I have been plinking for well over 55 years, I am a BEGINNER at this stuff and have decided that if I am going to own such a gun, I better learn how to get better with it. So, here’s my results over the past two days:
Image 1. is from yesterday - 4-9-21. Around noon – 85 degrees, tail wind 10-15mph.
Hornady/Frontier 55gr HP Match. I understand “Match” is only the name of the bullet used in this round and is not a “MATCH” round.
I was pleased with my results at 100 yds (small target). Pushed out to 200 yards to try out the hold-overs on 6” target. Barrel was now hot so I paused a little here and there - but was still pleasantly surprised with my results.
Image 2. is from today – 4-10-21, 2pm around 90 degrees with a head wind 10-15 that changed to a quartering tail wind.
Alternated 3 round groups at side-by-side targets with two different rounds: PMC BRONZE 55gr PSP & FIOCCHI 55gr PSP. The PMC has notably larger lead points than the FIOCCHI. Both were similar in grouping at 100 yards (NO PHOTO) on a 3” target with 2” grouping. Ok, not as good as most of y’all here – but I’m going to get better.
200 yards: Target on the left is FIOCCHI. Again, alternating 3 rounds. PMC on the right does not look to be as accurate. I also had more rounds of Fiocchi so plugged a few more rounds into that target.
Image 3 is also today – at 300 yards. 3 hits with PMC the rest is Fiocchi (Ran outta PMC! Lol)
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That's a pretty good start. What were you using for a rest? Consistency is the key, whether it is sight picture, trigger pull, how gun is held, they are all important. I have a Rock River varmint modern sporting rifle that will shoot those Fiocchi 55gr loads as good as my handloads. Bob
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Hornady Frontier Match tends to be fairly accurate in several of my .223's. Even the "Steel Match" using steel cases and 55 grain Match bullets is at the upper end of OTC factory ammo. W/o knowing what sort of support you're using, I hesitate to comment on the group sizes. I'm not sure I'd recommend "Alternated 3 round groups at side-by-side targets with two different rounds" for best accuracy potential.
Keep working on your consistency and technique. The outfit you describe should have the capability to stack bullets in one hole @100 yards and silver dollars @ 200.
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I am using a HARRIS BI-POD and a small sand bag in the rear.
The reason to alternate the rounds 3 x 3 was to see performance between the mfrs/rds. I see that 55gr PSP is quite different between the makers. I see Fiocchi is tighter than PMC at 200 and 300 yards. I like the Hornady/Frontier HP too. They make me look good ... to me - lol
I found some 55gr Sierra Blitzking loaded rounds from Australia - "OUTBACK" which could be a good thing - until I decide that's the round I want and I can no longer get the stuff. So I'm passing on a buy at $25/box.
Fire away!
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You're off on a good start. Yep,find the round you and your gun likes and fine tune it from there, practice.
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I’m no expert by any means, but I’d advise to drop back to 100 yards and tune in at that range. You’re off to a good start, though.
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It seems the gun/scope combo is good. The spread looks like you are moving slightly during trigger squeeze. If the scope was off, then the 100 yard spread would get a lot worse at 300 yards. I would also suggest to go back to 100 yards and shoot till you can get a consistent tight group. Then stretch out your range. I love the Hornady steel match, very accurate, and deadly on white tail. They used to be cheap, doubt they are now! Good shooting, just practice more on trigger technique now, you will be surprised how much MORE accurate you will become.
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If your Remington has the newer x-mark trigger in it, you might consider upgrading to a better trigger. A nice trigger will shrink your groups. The Calvin Elite series from Timney will adjust down safely to 8oz.
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Looks like you can put any number of rounds inside a 8 inch circle out to 300 yards, that will work for most activities unless you are performing surgery on fleas :)
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TODAY's rounds .... 90 degrees, wind was light and variable, did NOT use the bi-pod - used sand bags fore and aft. This photo is from the beginning of the day and looks really good. I shot 3 different rounds today and still find the PMC to be a little off from 200 yds out, but at 100 yds it's fine - as should pretty much ALL 223 I would think. I surprised myself at 200 yards with Frontier HP. But it was also the 4th, 5th & 6th shots of the day - bbl was not hot.
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chris8x57 - this gun is probably 15+ years old and I have no idea about what trigger is in it. Although - I really like the trigger. Very light.
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Your picture (image 4) marked "200 yards-no delay" should be typical of the performance level of the equipment you're using. If you're shooting fast enough to cause significant barrel heat in a .223 varmint weight (I guess that's what a VLS indicates) you need to slow down.
Personally, if I'm trying to get good uniform groups, I clean the barrel when switching ammo brands and fire a couple of "fouling shots" before shooting groups of the next brand of ammo. Sometimes barrels don't like brand swapping.
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