A Good Day at the Range

MacD · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:10 pm Post subject: A Good Day at the Range

I was working up loads in 223 with CFE223 using my favorite bullet, the Hornady Varminter in 60 grains. I also was trying to improve on my best two IMR 8208 loads with the same bullet but a shorter OAL. Well the CFE loads are coming along but need tweaking but I struck gold with the 8208 ones.

All targets are 5 rounds from a sandbag rest. Just gotta love it when you find the sweet combination.

slimjim · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: A Good Day at the Range

Not bad for 25 yards, MacD. Or do you use meters up there?

slimjim · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: A Good Day at the Range

Oh, I blew up the image and saw this was 100 meters. Nice, MacD. What velocity were you getting with the 8208 and CFE?

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: A Good Day at the Range

Pretty nice groups! It sure is fun when your own handloads do good.

Dawgdad · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: A Good Day at the Range

I love 8208. I would be curious as to your velocity too. I run 77 grain match bullets over 23.2 grains with no pressure issues at 2750 fps.

MacD · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 8:36 pm Post subject: Re: A Good Day at the Range

My previous for the two loads was avg. 2746 and 2751. Unfortunately there was a slight mist falling while I was shooting and my chrono was getting wet so I put it under cover and as a result no velocities . These were my first CFE reloads and 26.6 grains is near max. Hodgdon lists 26.7 at 3176 fps but I always find I am well below their specs. I usually do better with a mid-range load although the 8208 loads are right out of the book and are start and 0.5 above. My max OAL to lands with the Varminter is 2.351 so I started my first loads out a bit from the book specs. This has usually meant a more accurate load but not in this case.

I am hoping to get out again this week and I will report velocities assuming my chrono and the weather co-operate.

Elvis · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 2:22 am Post subject: Re: A Good Day at the Range

very tidy groups. thats a very dead varmit!!!

stovepipe · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: A Good Day at the Range

Minute of Eyeball! Yes!

MacD · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 10:03 am Post subject: Re: A Good Day at the Range

Oops I made a small error. The brass was Lake City 1x fired and FL sized.

stovepipe · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 10:31 am Post subject: Re: A Good Day at the Range

Still Minute of Eyeball! Yes!