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I got a quantity blem deal on 33 gr. Vmax moly coated and have been experimenting for ground squirrel loads.
Ground squirrel loads are different from those for rock chucks or coyotes, in that the .223 may be downloaded to 218 Bee, but the barrel must stay cool and clean without cleaning with 200 rounds fired in 3 hours [about one round per minute].
>From my notes:
33 gr. .494" long. Hornady Vmax bullet moly coated by Russ Hayden, 15 gr. Blue Dot, 2.170" OAL
3534 fps measured by chronograph 26" Ruger #1 [Quickload predicts 3462 fps 34,577 psi]
1) .7" 3 shot group at 100 yards, 32X scope = .7 moa
2) 1.1" 3 shot group at 100 yards, 32X scope = 1.1 moa
What I have been learning about the .223 light bullets and fast powder is that the pressure is
VERY dependent on seating depth. The bullet jammed into the lands is like 3 gr. of extra powder. If I seat the bullet long, 16 gr. may be the max load with no egg [extractor groove growth], but if I seat .023" deeper, the max load may be 19 gr.
The loads in the picture were fired in a 1903 Turkish Mauser with Rem700 take off barrel chambered with custom reamer with .030" shorter throat and .250" neck.
15 gr 2.170", no egg 3486 fps chrono'd [Quickload predicts 3406 fps 34,577 psi] [not in picture]
16 gr. 2.170", no egg [Quickload thinks is 41,376 psi 3486 fps] [pictured first on left]
17 gr. 2.170, .029" egg, primer fell out [Quickload thinks is 47,282 psi 3612 fps] [pictured second from left]
18 gr. 2.149", .0005" egg [Quickload says 54,340 psi 3740 fps] [pictured third from left]
19 gr. 2.147", .002" egg [Quickload says 61,529 psi 3857 fps] [pictured fourth from left]
20 gr. 2.149" .035" egg, primer fell out [Quickload says 69,401 psi 3969 fps] [pictured fifth from left]
20 gr. 2.101", .069" egg, primer fell out [Quickload says 71,311 psi 3887 fps] [pictured sixth from left, on the end on the right]
In the Ruger #1 [assume SAAMI chamber], 2.170" OAL, Blue Dot, 33 gr Vmax moly:
15 gr, no egg
16 gr no egg
17 gr no egg
18.25 gr, .001" egg
18.5 gr, .0005" egg
19 gr .001 -.0015" egg
What does it all mean?
a) Quickload is close to the right pressure and velocity with low pressure or off the lands, but as the light bullet jams the lands with hot loads of peaky pistol powder, the pressure goes way high and quickload is clueless.
b) different guns can give different results
