All my load development was for nothing.

Bfh_auto · Jan 20, 2020

Short version is; I tried to develop a load using an AR that had the worst crown I've seen hidden behind the bird cage.
Some of you were around for that fiasco about 2 years ago. I finally got it sorted out. Now it shoots factory 75 gr Hornady ammo into tight like groups.
At the moment all I have left are 53 VMAX, 70 rdf, and 77smk.
I think I'm going to start with the 53 gr and CFE223. I don't have much hope for it, but it would be awesome if it worked.

gifbohane · Jan 20, 2020

troy fairweather · Jan 20, 2020

Good you found the problem, keep us up to date on the loads. I have to load some for my 223W, well when I get bullets lol.

How did you fix the crown,

Bfh_auto · Jan 20, 2020

gifbohane said:
??

The muzzle had 6 ridges on it instead of being smooth. It was hidden by the flash hider.
I found this out when I put a free float have guard on it.
Now all my notes are trash because it shoots well with ammo that it hated before.

troy fairweather · Jan 20, 2020

Chatter marks or like the ones barrel blanks have on the end?

Bfh_auto · Jan 20, 2020

troy fairweather said:
Good you found the problem, keep us up to date on the loads. I have to load some for my 223W, well when I get bullets lol.

How did you fix the crown,

I used a file and square. Then I used a stainless pan head screw and valve grinding compound.
It works surprisingly well, but I really need to just buy a cutter and pilots.
What bullet are you using in yours?

Bfh_auto · Jan 20, 2020

troy fairweather said:
Chatter marks or like the ones barrel blanks have on the end?

It looked like someone took a chainsaw file and filed across the muzzle in 3 places.
I've never seen something like it before.

troy fairweather · Jan 20, 2020

Bfh_auto said:
I used a file and square. Then I used a stainless pan head screw and valve grinding compound.
It works surprisingly well, but I really need to just buy a cutter and pilots.
What bullet are you using in yours?

Don't know how I will go yet, 50-60 or the heavier up to about 77 grains.

mine is just a carbine with a 1-8 twist, i may not be worth it with heavier bullets for a 16 barrel.

I did some quick loads one day with a few 55gr hp's just to check the accuracy and check pressure, that was with bl(c)2.

Bfh_auto · Jan 20, 2020

troy fairweather said:
Don't know how I will go yet, 50-60 or the heavier up to about 77 grains.

mine is just a carbine with a 1-8 twist, i may not be worth it with heavier bullets for a 16 barrel.

I did some quick loads one day with a few 55gr hp's just to check the accuracy and check pressure, that was with bl(c)2.

Even with the bad crown, mine shot 55sp and the 52 hpbt very well.
I want heavy bullets for bucking wind. It almost never stops in Oklahoma.

troy fairweather · Jan 20, 2020

Ya it would be nice to have the crown cutter and pilot's. I would pay for its self quick. I'd like something for coyote to, like to not blow the pelt up either.

Bfh_auto · Jan 20, 2020

troy fairweather said:
Ya it would be nice to have the crown cutter and pilot's. I would pay for its self quick. I'd like something for coyote to, like to not blow the pelt up either.

In my experience, light for caliber and head on shot is best.

troy fairweather · Jan 20, 2020

Bfh_auto said:
In my experience, light for caliber and head on shot is best.

That's probably the only shot I will have were I can hunt them. It's state forest with hiking paths, I see tracks all over when I small game hunt there.

horsey300 · Jan 20, 2020

troy fairweather said:
That's probably the only shot I will have were I can hunt them. It's state forest with hiking paths, I see tracks all over when I small game hunt there.

Ttsx is not a bad choice, but one of my cheap favorites was the spsx from Hornady, no exit even on a fox, was pushing around 3100 iirc with h322 before I swapped over to the 40s with benchmark (12 twist) nothing on fur with the 40s yet, but the Ttsx has been alright, small exits.

stillquietvoice · Jan 21, 2020

I just did load work ups for 50 and 55 gr with blc2 and one for 150 3006 same powder. I haven't tested them yet and probably won't do the 06 testing due to recoil tolerance from injury. So I'll have to rely on my SIL to test those.

I just picked a loose bag of 250 hornandy 55 sp at State line bullets for 22.00. It's a nice bullet and has been fairly accurate in all 3 of my 223's.

troy fairweather said:
I did some quick loads one day with a few 55gr hp's just to check the accuracy and check pressure, that was with bl(c)

stillquietvoice · Jan 21, 2020

Bfh_auto said:
Short version is; I tried to develop a load using an AR that had the worst crown I've seen hidden behind the bird cage.
Some of you were around for that fiasco about 2 years ago. I finally got it sorted out. Now it shoots factory 75 gr Hornady ammo into tight like groups.
At the moment all I have left are 53 VMAX, 70 rdf, and 77smk.
I think I'm going to start with the 53 gr and CFE223. I don't have much hope for it, but it would be awesome if it worked.

Glad you got it figured out. While starting over can be a pain at least you won't have an issue with your rifle crown anymore.

1KPerDay · Jan 21, 2020

I feel your pain. I did a bunch of ladder loads for .30-06 with old Norma JSP bullets. Trouble is I used most of them for the workup and I can’t get any more of the bullets.

My pain is self inflicted ....

Skgreen · Jan 21, 2020

I'm on my 3rd 223 barrel. Throat erosion. Savage Model 12 bolt action.
Did all 3 barrels like the exact same diet?
No, but they each left me with a good idea of how to 'cook' for the next one! :thumbup:

Bfh_auto · Jan 21, 2020

Skgreen said:
I'm on my 3rd 223 barrel. Throat erosion. Savage Model 12 bolt action.
Did all 3 barrels like the exact same diet?
No, but they each left me with a good idea of how to 'cook' for the next one!

This one was like trying to cook using a rusty skillet...
I did learn that 77SMK will probably shoot great in anything with a fast enough twist.

redbullitt · Jan 22, 2020

Wasted load development sounds kinda like practice to me haha.

Bfh_auto · Jan 22, 2020

redbullitt said:
Wasted load development sounds kinda like practice to me haha.

It made me start to think I can't do load development anymore.

edwardware · Jan 22, 2020

Bfh_auto said:
I used a file and square. Then I used a stainless pan head screw and valve grinding compound.

You have the correct method, but a brass round-head is better. The brass is softer, and embeds some of the compound for more efficient cutting.

I too have found a couple terrible crowns on no-name AR bbls.

Bfh_auto · Jan 22, 2020

edwardware said:
You have the correct method, but a brass round-head is better. The brass is softer, and embeds some of the compound for more efficient cutting.

I too have found a couple terrible crowns on no-name AR bbls.

You are right. The screw I used had a large Phillips cut in it, so it worked even though it wasn't ideal.
I wouldn't have been surprised if it was a low their AR. But I thought Anderson was a step above that.
I'm still happy with it over all.

kcofohio · Jan 22, 2020

Hm, makes me wonder. I have 1 upper with a pencil barrel that doesn't pattern all that well at 100 yds. I will look at the crown to rule that out.

<*(((>< · Jan 22, 2020

Bfh_auto said:
It made me start to think I can't do load development anymore.

It’s kind of like “practicing” for having kids, can be frustrating and heart breaking but in the end each session is a very enjoyable experience.

Glad you got it figured out that would be a big “ah-hah” moment when pulling off that flash hider, quickly followed by some cursing and gnashing of teeth at how little hair you have left after pulling it all out.

Who made the barrel? It’s alright if you don’t want to say. Did you at least converse with them about it?

Bfh_auto · Jan 22, 2020

<*(((>< said:
It’s kind of like “practicing” for having kids, can be frustrating and heart breaking but in the end each session is a very enjoyable experience.

Glad you got it figured out that would be a big “ah-hah” moment when pulling off that flash hider, quickly followed by some cursing and gnashing of teeth at how little hair you have left after pulling it all out.

Who made the barrel? It’s alright if you don’t want to say. Did you at least converse with them about it?

I was like that's a weird carbon deposit. After cleaning it, I realized it wasn't carbon.
It was an Anderson AM15. I don't know who their barrel maker is. I just repaired it and moved on. Since I didn't give them the opportunity to repair it, this thread isn't to complain.

All my load development was for nothing.

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