Anyone Else Shooting .223Rem for Precision?

[oldguysrule649 397]

I did make it to EFGA on October 1st.  My work travel prevented me from writing up a range report until now.

As I mentioned above, that was my first time out with the rifle.  So my objective was just to take it easy, get used to it's operation, and see how accurate I could be with it.  Overall, I came away from the day very happy with it in all respects.  No issues or concerns with it's build quality or operation.  I am by no means an experienced precision shooter so had no preconceived expectations.   I am confident the rifle is more accurate than I am.  

I shot from the bench on the 100 yard range.  Bipod on the front and a bag at the rear.   Initially, I shot some Aquila range .223 range ammo, but was not even hitting the target.  So I moved to 50 yards, saw where I was hitting, and adjusted the scope.  Then moved back to 100 yards, was on target, and zero'd the scope.  Once I did that, the scope's adjustment remained constant and I mainly concentrated on group size.

I shot a variety of the ammo brands and weights that I purchased and listed in my earlier post above.  The results were as follows: 

Date	Ammo	MOA (per 5 shot group)
10/1/2017	Aguila 223x55 grain FMJ IPC#6-4042000305-4	2.98, 3.18
10/1/2017	Aguila 556x45mm 62 grain, FMJBT IPC#6-4042000324-5	1.156
10/1/2017	Aguila 556x45mm 62 grain, FMJBT IPC#6-4042000324-5	1.78
10/1/2017	Hornady Black #80267 223  75 grain BTHP	0.887, 0.992
10/1/2017	Hornady Black #81296 556 75 grain Interlock HD	0.783, 1.25
10/1/2017	Hornady Black #80234 223 62 grain FMJ	1.12, 1.38
10/1/2017	Hornady Black #81263 556 62 grain FMJ	1.65, 0.522/1.152
10/1/2017	American Eagle (Federal) 55 Grain FMJ #AE223J	0.75/1.71, 1.24, 1.59,1.91
10/1/2017	Norma Match TAC-223 55 grain FMJ #20157442/15-038/2567.3266	0.76, 0.984/1.51

Where I shot more than one group of 5 shots, the results are separated by a comma.  Where I list x.xx/y.yy: the first number is the best 4 out of 5, the second number was for the whole group of five shots.

They are listed in the order I shot over the course of 3-4 hours.  So the Aguila's with the 3 MOA result were the very first bullets ever shot thru the barrel.  Now that the barrel has had approx one hundred rounds thru it, next time I take it to the range, I plan to retest these and see how they do.  I do realize that 55gr is not ideal for the rifle's 1:7 twist, but will be interesting to see if they perform any better now that the barrel has been "broken in".  Interestingly, the Norma Match did well even though it is also 55 grain. It, along with the "Hornady Black #80267 223  75 grain BTHP"  appear to be the best performers of the session.

Next time will reshoot some of the above brands and also try some additional ones.  Have since acquired several additional brands/weights of match ammo (e.g. Gorilla Ammunition, Black Hills ammo).

When I first acquired the rifle, I encountered issue with getting the mags to lock into place.  Had to bang the bottom of the mag with my palm to get it to lock into place.  While I was initially concerned about this, it became less of an issue once I was at the range and had done numerous mag insertions.  They still require a bit of force to lock into place but I would rather that than loose fitting mags.

Overall, I am very happy with the firearm and am hoping I can get back out with it soon.

 

 

 

 

[oldguysrule649 397]

I think the results table I pasted into my post may not be displaying fully. Is there a way to read a thread so it uses the full width of the screen?

 

Update: the above post looks fine on my PC screen.  But the MOA results column is truncated when I  try to view it on my iPad using Safari.

 

[Bully 749]

I'm glad you're liking the rifle.  I am selling my Tikka and will be building a R700 .223 with an AMU/MTU contoured, 7 twist barrel in a McMillan A3/5.  It's not going to happen until the spring-ish.  I have to find time to head to Michigan and meet up with a buddy.  He's a 'smith and we're going to build it together.   

[oldguysrule649 397]

Hi, a follow-up to my Nov 6, 2017 post above.  Finally managed to get out to EFGA's 100 yard range several weeks ago with my RPR.  Shot the remainder of ammo choices I had purchased.

Bottomline is the following seven brands/types of factory ammo(I do not reload.) will be my primary "goto" ammo when purchasing match grade for my RPR.  Now that I have narrowed my choices to these; I will be focusing on buying these online and building up an "adequate" onhand supply.

Black Hills Ammunition D556N19 556 Nato 77 grain TMK Tipped MatchKing
Federal Premium Gold Medal Berger, 73 grain #GM223BH73
Federal Premium Sierra Match King, Gold Medal Match, 77 grain #GM223M3
Gorilla #GA22377SMK 223 Rem 77gr Sierra Matchking
Hornady Black #80267 223  75 grain BTHP
Norma Sierra MatchKing HPBT TAC-223 77 grain #10157502
Sig Sauer Elite Match #E223M1 77 grain OTM Match

All of these shot 1 MOA or better based on a 5 shot group.  If I counted the best 4 out of 5 shots, then most came in close to or under half moa.  Noteworthy are the Sig Sauer with which I managed to shoot a 5 shot 0.307 MOA group.  Left the range very happy.

The rifle, with it's 1:7 twist clearly likes 73-77 grain bullets.

[Bully 749]

Congrats.  

My rifle is built and I've done one competition with it, a 600 yard F-Class and it did pretty well.  I'm glad you are finding what works.  

13 hours ago, oldguysrule649 said:

Hi, a follow-up to my Nov 6, 2017 post above.  Finally managed to get out to EFGA's 100 yard range several weeks ago with my RPR.  Shot the remainder of ammo choices I had purchased.

Bottomline is the following seven brands/types of factory ammo(I do not reload.) will be my primary "goto" ammo when purchasing match grade for my RPR.  Now that I have narrowed my choices to these; I will be focusing on buying these online and building up an "adequate" onhand supply.

Black Hills Ammunition D556N19 556 Nato 77 grain TMK Tipped MatchKing
Federal Premium Gold Medal Berger, 73 grain #GM223BH73
Federal Premium Sierra Match King, Gold Medal Match, 77 grain #GM223M3
Gorilla #GA22377SMK 223 Rem 77gr Sierra Matchking
Hornady Black #80267 223  75 grain BTHP
Norma Sierra MatchKing HPBT TAC-223 77 grain #10157502
Sig Sauer Elite Match #E223M1 77 grain OTM Match

All of these shot 1 MOA or better based on a 5 shot group.  If I counted the best 4 out of 5 shots, then most came in close to or under half moa.  Noteworthy are the Sig Sauer with which I managed to shoot a 5 shot 0.307 MOA group.  Left the range very happy.

The rifle, with it's 1:7 twist clearly likes 73-77 grain bullets.