Thread: How much does handloading improve accuracy?

That’s a great point.

Would be worth checking the scope base/rings/action screws etc as that’s really inconsistent and the Cz527 rifles I’ve played with have been lasers.
Had a Tikka 308 shooting HORRIBLE as received from the shop....needed everything tightened.

I tried some hornady solid gmx in my standard twist tikka 22-250 varmint thinking they would be the shizzle.
Was quite surprised to see what bullets did hit the paper were going through sideways!
So yes I would say it's right in the verge of stability issues

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Well back to the drawing board , nothing wrong with the rifle 100y ppu 55g

Vs customised handloads

Will give up on the barnes for the time being & get another projectile of some sort , possibly a hollow point or gmx .
Thanks for all the advice Team .

Originally Posted by Boaraxa

Well back to the drawing board , nothing wrong with the rifle 100y ppu 55g
Attachment 145029
Vs customised handloads
Attachment 145030
Will give up on the barnes for the time being & get another projectile of some sort , possibly a hollow point or gmx .
Thanks for all the advice Team .

Game, set and match. A definitive result.
Grandpamac.

My "groups" with the 50gr Barnes TTSX in my 1:12 223 have been somewhat similar.

Stabilises a 55gr Nosler (which is a bit longer) just fine. Bloody accurate. But hates the Barnes. Driving them at 3400 too.

Originally Posted by Pommy

My "groups" with the 50gr Barnes TTSX in my 1:12 223 have been somewhat similar.

Stabilises a 55gr Nosler (which is a bit longer) just fine. Bloody accurate. But hates the Barnes. Driving them at 3400 too.

Yea this is the second time iv given the barnes ttsx a go in 2 different rifles and didn't have any luck with either , I will try these 50g in the 22-250 .

this has got me really puzzled as my zastava simply loves the 50grn ttsx....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

this has got me really puzzled as my zastava simply loves the 50grn ttsx....

The zastava mite have a faster rate of twist , indecently I found out how to check the rate of twist if its not stamped on the rifle , haven't tried it yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdoCNZBlRGQ

If your 527 is reasonably young (newer style trigger shape) it will most likely be 1:9. If it is an older model it could be 1:12 or 1:9.
I have an old 527 Varmint model (H&S Kevlar stock) in 1:9.
Despite being 1:9 its accuracy with heavy projectiles is disappointing. I have never tried Barnes.
Shoots extremely well with 52gr projectiles and even better with 40 gr V- Max which I normally shoot in a 22 Hornet.

You should check yours for twist, it is a useful learning exercise at least. I presume the YouTube clip is the cleaning rod method?

I have reloaded for .223 for three rifles over the years all 1:12, as much as I have liked to use Barnes projectiles (53gr from memory) , I have never had great success. What has always worked well are sierra 55gr HPBT and hornady 55gr SPBT using 25.5gr of benchmark2. When I say worked well I mean touching groups at 100yrds. I do enjoy reloading and playing with powders, seating depths and loads, that's where the enjoyment is once you get the bug.

tried the old cleaning rod measure....close enough to 12" to confirm it....
Ive got some 55grn barnes loaded up here that Ive not tried yet......might pay to try on paper first...this one has really got me bugged.

Howa1500 i see you are down here in the south, there are plenty of guys willing to help out newbies to the reloading game, call in to custom guns and ask questions, Greg and Mac are very helpful.