Joined
·
2,214 Posts
Hello all,
I have recently observed an interesting phenomenon involving my .223 M700 Rem. This rifle was bought new in about 1983 and has been my "working" rifle for years. I used it as a teen and in my twenties to kill many groundhogs. Almost all rounds through the rifle have been 22gr of IMR 4198 with a 55 gr bullet; either a Hornady SX or Winchester bulk bullet. This was the first load I tried and gave such great accuracy that I never messed with it. The bullet was seated to the length listed in the Hornady manual, and always gave -.5" accuracy.
Now, to bring us up to the present. When I moved to Idaho I left the rifle with my father for the groundhogging chores. A couple of years ago, my folks brought it back out to me on a visit because my dad wasn't going to shoot it any more. Since then I've tried several of the newer bullets and powders, and I haven't been able to get groups much smaller than 1". So I got some 4198 and Hornady bullets: still no better.
SOOOO, thinking perhaps the throat was a little worn, I tried seating the bullets a little longer to touch the rifling and I can't seat a bullet long enough to reach the rifling!!! Now, when I seat bullets as long as I dare they shoot well again (.4" ) but they don't go in the magazine. I can't believe that the throat has worn that much after approx 2500- 3000 rounds of what I consider a fairly mild cartridge. I don't know how long the throat originally was, but the change is apparent in how differently the rifle shoots.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Do you think the throat should wear that much? My best guess is that the throat was long to begin with but has worn just enough to influence accuracy. I don't know?
Also of interest- the bore is pitted or has some flaws in it that you can see from the muzzle. They have been there since I first got it and took it home and cleaned it. They don't seem to affect it any!
Sorry for the long post! I'm just amazed! ID
I have recently observed an interesting phenomenon involving my .223 M700 Rem. This rifle was bought new in about 1983 and has been my "working" rifle for years. I used it as a teen and in my twenties to kill many groundhogs. Almost all rounds through the rifle have been 22gr of IMR 4198 with a 55 gr bullet; either a Hornady SX or Winchester bulk bullet. This was the first load I tried and gave such great accuracy that I never messed with it. The bullet was seated to the length listed in the Hornady manual, and always gave -.5" accuracy.
Now, to bring us up to the present. When I moved to Idaho I left the rifle with my father for the groundhogging chores. A couple of years ago, my folks brought it back out to me on a visit because my dad wasn't going to shoot it any more. Since then I've tried several of the newer bullets and powders, and I haven't been able to get groups much smaller than 1". So I got some 4198 and Hornady bullets: still no better.
SOOOO, thinking perhaps the throat was a little worn, I tried seating the bullets a little longer to touch the rifling and I can't seat a bullet long enough to reach the rifling!!! Now, when I seat bullets as long as I dare they shoot well again (.4" ) but they don't go in the magazine. I can't believe that the throat has worn that much after approx 2500- 3000 rounds of what I consider a fairly mild cartridge. I don't know how long the throat originally was, but the change is apparent in how differently the rifle shoots.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Do you think the throat should wear that much? My best guess is that the throat was long to begin with but has worn just enough to influence accuracy. I don't know?
Also of interest- the bore is pitted or has some flaws in it that you can see from the muzzle. They have been there since I first got it and took it home and cleaned it. They don't seem to affect it any!
Sorry for the long post! I'm just amazed! ID