couple newbie questions

[tpende]

hello im new to the benchrst forums but have been shooting for awhile now. i have a few questions. right now i shoot a bone stock cooper 21 custom varmit in .223. ive played around with different bullets, powders, and COL's. ofcourse most of the time by the time i get around to shooting a round that does great ill forget the exact mubers on it. right now given my 1 in 14 twist it seems as though a 40 grain v-max (blitzking) with 27.5 grains of H335 behind it with a COL of 2.300 seems to be working good. but i know its not the exact load i need

first question: anyone who happens to own a cooper 21 in .223 what are you loading for it COL, bullet, powder ect?

second question: my best 400yd 5 shot group to date measured 1.230 center to center. if the wind isnt to crazy i avg. a little under 2 inches. is this good enough to justify entering some competitions?

third question: if i do competitions what class would my rifle fall into?

 

[AVanGorder]

223

It sounds like your rifle is shooting well.

I've had good luck with H322 in the 223 using light bullets. If you get a chance, try some match grade bullets, you'll probably be impressed how much better they shoot.

Most of the matches I've attended have a Factory class where your Cooper will fit just fine.

 

[abintx]

I shoot my ...

.223 with 26.0 grains of Varget, Lupua 223 brass (no-turn neck), .001" neck tension, CCI BR4 primers, and some of Ronnie Cheeks custom made bullets http://www.rcheek.com/ and have had very good luck. As the saying goes, start with a reduced load and work your way up. Art

 

[david dumas]

tpende,
where do you live?? we shoot factory class in Dublin(MGGOA Twin Oaks Range), Augusta Ga(Pinetucky Gun Club), Elberton Ga(Elbert County Gun Club) & they also shoot factory at Riverbend Gun Club( just NE of Atlanta), and in the winter league at Rockingham Gun Club in Reedsville NC, but that don't mean jack if you live in Texas or Washington State,lol

the wind is my friend,,,,,,,,

DD

 

[virg]

Come on down...

third question: if i do competitions what class would my rifle fall into?

Many local benchrest matches both for score and group allow a "factory" class which your rifle falls into. Most of these matches are at 100 and 200yds. Your grouping at the mentioned 400yds prove your rifle could be very competitive at the shorter yardages.

However; there is no "factory" class in sanctioned IBS or NBRSA competition. So at the regional, State, or national matches you would not be eligible to enter. If your rifle made weight (10 pounds) you could compete against the benchrest class rifles with a 6X scope for a score match, and with a higher power scope for group (in this case 10 1/2 or 13 1/2 pounds would be the weight limit). But...attending local matches with your rifle will teach you a lot about rifle handing, reloading, and the capabilities of benchrest competition rifles of the other competitors. There is a lot of knowledge to be gained by attending local matches. They are the gateway and practice field to higher competitive levels.

Good luck and come on out....

virg

 

[tpende]

thanks! you guys are very helpful! does anyone one here know of any competitions in southern MN or the twin cities area?

ive got some Berger 52 grain non-boat tail hp's with the j4 jackets that i got the 1.230 group with but when i did that i had around 27.5 grains of h335 behind em and it was WAY too hot. now ive loaded some up at 26.2 and hope they work well.

another question. boat tail or non-boat tail?

and one more question. given that my 1in14 twist pretty much limits me to 60 grains max. is it even possible to get good groups out to 600?