Tmcfarland

Thats odd that this was not explained in the beginning and hasn't been asked but I am preparing for the Seekins Hard as Hell multigun, they have 600+ targets and I have never shot that far before and had only "worked up" a plinking/close range load for the local 3gun matches around here. Max distance here is 100 yards and nothing really too difficult. I will admit that the whole 600 yard thing kind of intimidated me and seeing other shot groups had me really stressing out to find the perfect load. Thanks, I have learned A LOT in the last couple of weeks from all the posts on this thread...head space gauge (check), neck tension - Lyman "M" die (check), sorting head stamp on brass (check), bullet comparator (check), measurement of lands (check) and on and on. I have some loaded and want to check the base to ogive measurement before shooting and then load some more that are closely monitored and see the diffence it makes. All this time I have been measuring the COAL as a basis to good loading. I had no idea that rifle (good rifle loads) loads took so much to do. My hat is off to the precision guys that do this all the time...i am worn out!

I am running AP Custom Low Mass BCG and Taccom Rifle buffer with a Seekins adjustable gas block. It is set to operate on my 55gr loads.

For the close range stuff i have been using bulk Hornady 55gr FMJ in range brass over CFE223 and using S&B primers. these will get you a good group all day

So here is a new question for you; I suspected to see higher velocities than I did by shortening the COAL from 2.250" to 2.200" but actually I didn't see the change. All pressure indicators were good so no problem there. Hornady manual shows 2.250" COAL using TAC at 20.3gr to be 2600fps, 22.1gr to be 2700fps and 23.8gr to be max load at 2800fps. Did I starve the powder of needed air space? Anyone know whats going on? My loads were 2.20" COAL using TAC at 23gr for 2613fps, 23.2gr at 2634fps and 23.4gr at 2629fps

Today showed some promising results. Did some experimenting with shortening the rounds. Started off with the 75 grain BTHP with 23, 23.2 and 23.4 grains of TAC at 2.20". Best was the 23.4 load and was able to hold it to a 1.03" group. Traveling at 2629fps it's slower than I would have thought it to be but still will be moving 1508fps at 600 yards so it seems it still be flying right Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did not notice any difference in the way they were grouping other than maybe human error. Guess I should have answered my OP question.

shot a little over 125 rifle test rounds here over the couple of weeks of owning it. I have had two error readings and that seemed to be due to the wind. I would have liked to see a sturdier tri-pod to have been a part of the package but its not really that bad.

Bought and used the lyman M die, it fixed the extra neck tension and all the markings are gone now. Thanks for the help fellas

Ok, so I ended up purchasing the Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP with the ERB2C reticle. The scope is amazingly clear and it shows me exactly how bad I am at grouping bullet holes, lol. I was rushed a lot to beat sundown so I will try to give it another whirl on Sunday after the USPSA pistol match. I had to reset my gas block (which didn't take too long), sight in the scope to at least hit paper which surprisingly only took 4 rounds with just eyeballing it onto the rifle, and then go through the 30 rounds I built. 1.25" at 100 yards is the best I could get this trip out and that was with my close range 55gr rounds. I really need to work on my technique I believe after watching some of the videos that wheelie posted from gunworks, I think that will help a lot. I am also thinking I need to shorten the rounds just a little, the best and most consistent groups I get are from my close range rounds and they are loaded at 2.180" using 26 grains CFE223, just not sure if I will be able to get the velocity needed to get out to 600 yards. Anyone here at all that loads shorter than mag length?

That video has some great tips in it thanks for the link. I had started with the Caldwell Matrix rest I actually bought it for my pistol a while back and it worked pretty good for it but just can't get comfortable for the rifle and it is hard so any movement is really noticeable. I just bought the Caldwell Deadshot Tactical bags They are fairly soft and the outshell looks like it will last my lifetime..

that's a handy tip! I to have a pretty dang accurate .22 rifle and a pile of ammo for it. I will take that along with me if for nothing else but to relieve the stress of frustration!

Well for sure it was not a 1/4" group, haha. that would be a dream

It did ok, thought it would be better. I may just not be that good at precision shooting, hoping the higher magnified scope will make a difference with being able to see the grid lines on the paper

Ok so the first outing with the Tac was not so good...about the same as the others. I have ordered a higher magnified scope to ensure I am aiming in the same spot for each shot, picked up a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP ERB2C reticle. Great reviews on this scope and it will be going on the next inevitable purchase of a long range shooter (SMH did not want to go down this rabbit hole). More reports coming after the next batch

Got the TAC powder in tonight, finishing up on the brass prep and will load some tomorrow. Sure would like to have a range at my back door, it would make this so much easier

I really like mine, works great!

do you use the bell? I had noticed in the instructions for the die it had said something about not using the bell for BT rifle bullets. I would assume that the only thing that adds would be over working the brass a little. Not too big of a deal since I use mostly range brass I pick up

Sure have. Turn on your Bluetooth and connect. Why, are you having problems? Thanks

Well, went down to the local Academy and bought some Hornady 75gr HPBT MATCH ammo to shoot so I can see how it shoots out and I found I am way too hard on myself about my loading if this is the norm. Not to knock Hornady but come on! Set me straight if I am headed down the wrong path please, but with the COAL variance of .022" between 20 rounds, I kick mine back if it is more than .003" difference. The cases all measured the same and looked good but I am very interested in seeing how these MATCH rounds chrono and group. Also, got the Hornady head space gauge and M die in and will build some more rounds tonight. I have been over processing my brass according to the head space gauge so I will reset the size die to just bump the shoulder about .004 to .006 as suggested by others. Another question that I have is since the M die opens up the neck to .221" or so and the projectiles are .222" or so will I need to crimp more? I just barely bump the edge now.

Normally I would, but couldn't duplicate it. I think I might have just got lucky.

I had the one load at 26 grains but it did not look too good. That gave me 2913 fps as my average. I will do another batch using the "M" die at those velocities and see how they work out

last night outing just wasn't good at all! The shots were everywhere, don't know really if i was just rushing it or if i just suck, lol! Did use all Lake City brass this time and had some single digit deviations which I thought would make for some better groupings but I was wrong, tried to take pictures but my phone decided not to embarrass me on a public forum. Really just about ready to go buy some of the good stuff and try later, much later. Received the Lyman M die yesterday and will use it to make another batch of the 68's before I give up on the CFE223 powder. Still waiting for the other stuff to come in

OK now i feel like I have so much more to learn. That is some really good shooting! I will get me a better target and try that approach. Thanks for all your help, hopefully the nest report will have some better results.