Load data

[skippy]

Hello all !! This may be a simple question to some of you ; but , Sierrra's load sheets say they are for a 10 twist 10" Contender. I haven't set up a chrony...so... are these velocities listed the same when using a 16" - 7 twist ? I have not had very good-if any-luck with any of their loads for any listing. All of my measurments are in "spec", just not having any results with the data.

Thanks!!

[skippy]

OK, I'll reword the question...is there some kind of mathematical equation to compensate for 10" barrel length vs 16" ?!? I have a Howa 1500 and have tried an 8 twist 16" and a 7 twist 16" .....both have been Douglas barrels with all work being done by Douglas. That being said, none of Sierra's load data, or JD's has managed to give me anything better than a 2" group!! I am using new Winchester brass that I have resized w/Hornady dies to 1.35. For whatever reason, I can't get the darn thing to group for crap!!!! I have tried H 110 , 296, N110, R 7, AA 5....different bullet weights- from 125's to 220's...just can't seem to "dail" them in !

I am just curious to know if the load data is incorrect because of my barrel being a different length?!? SURELY one of you guy's have felt my pain!! I read about you saying you are getting .5 moa groups with all different loads and bullet weights , and a snuff can cannot cover mine!! Trying to seek some knowledge here!!! Any info will be GREATLY appreciated!!

THANKS!

[fasttwist]

Is 1.35 the correct trim length for your chambering?

[skippy]

I haven't stuck a gauge in there ; but , at 1.35 the bolt closes without any resistance. With a dumbby loaded w/a 220 Sierra the oal chamber length was 2.30. I have been loading evrything except the 125's at 2.26 +or- 10. I tried going longer at first; but , I had to put way too much effort in closing the bolt, so I decided to stay closer to the .223 length so as not to have any problems.

[i8asquirrel]

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[snipecatcher]

Originally Posted by skippy

OK, I'll reword the question...is there some kind of mathematical equation to compensate for 10" barrel length vs 16" ?!? I have a Howa 1500 and have tried an 8 twist 16" and a 7 twist 16" .....both have been Douglas barrels with all work being done by Douglas. That being said, none of Sierra's load data, or JD's has managed to give me anything better than a 2" group!! I am using new Winchester brass that I have resized w/Hornady dies to 1.35. For whatever reason, I can't get the darn thing to group for crap!!!! I have tried H 110 , 296, N110, R 7, AA 5....different bullet weights- from 125's to 220's...just can't seem to "dail" them in !

I am just curious to know if the load data is incorrect because of my barrel being a different length?!? SURELY one of you guy's have felt my pain!! I read about you saying you are getting .5 moa groups with all different loads and bullet weights , and a snuff can cannot cover mine!! Trying to seek some knowledge here!!! Any info will be GREATLY appreciated!!

THANKS!

Have you looked closely at your bullet holes to make sure they are round? You may have gotten a bad barrel from the same batch that I did. Check some of your targets and make sure the little hole from the tip of the bullet is centered. When did you get the barrel, and is it stainless or chromoly?
-Dan

[i8asquirrel]

skippy:
Have you checked you base and rings to make sure that they are secure?
Can you shoot better groups with other weapons ( not meaning to be an ass but I have a buddy that I hun with that can't shoot <moa with anything he owns, I can shoot 1/2" with his 22-250 and his loads) Man does it piss him off.
Dont give up....But you may want to have a gunsmith check it for you.

[skippy]

Originally Posted by i8asquirrel

skippy:
Have you checked you base and rings to make sure that they are secure?
Can you shoot better groups with other weapons ( not meaning to be an ass but I have a buddy that I hun with that can't shoot <moa with anything he owns, I can shoot 1/2" with his 22-250 and his loads) Man does it piss him off.
Dont give up....But you may want to have a gunsmith check it for you.

I have taken the mounts off-cleaned the mount and the action, loctited the srews and made sure everything is tight...learned to do that when my AR started shooting all goofy. I load and shoot with the guy that built my gun (he works for Douglas)...we cant find anything mechanically wrong! We dont know of anyone around locally that shoots the "WTF", so we are pretty much stumped!

I can get < moa with my AR, and at least 1moa with all of my loads on the other calibers that I shoot.

[skippy]

The 8twist was stainless, I got it in Oct 10. The 7twist I am shooting now, I got about a month ago is chromoly...all weights except the 220s make a round hole. Some of my 220 loads looked like the bullet hit a little sideways...didnt really think much about it because my buddies gun shot them the same way...just blamed it on the charge. Whenever I am shooting the 220s, I always run out of up adjustment(this has happened w/two different scopes)...shimmed the rear mount and that didnt bring it up enough either. I heard one time when you are near the max adjustment-wether it be up-down-left-right, the scope wont be true...just heard that, dont know it to be true or not. The best this gun has shot was with the 8twist and 220 CorBons; and , that was a 1.5" group! Wasnt very imressed at $45 a box!