'nother .223 report

[pfettig]

I posted a couple of weeks ago about troubles with my .223.  I am very happy to report that after simply doing the o-ring thing I shot 9 shots within 1.5 inches and that was with a crosswind (most of the spread was windage, not elevation).  I was using hand-loads but haven't done any experimenting or changing of the loads.  I'm sure it will only get better from there.  I'm still wondering weather or not I should clean the gun between shootings.  I didn't clean it before this last time out and got good results.  I suppose I'll have to try it both ways.

[mookster79]

I have not started reloading yet, but had some trouble finding constant results.  After finding the ammo it like my .223 shoots five shot groups at 100yds in a target I made by circling a quarter.  I don't clean it all that much.  Usually when I am bored or after a couple hundred rounds and I feel like it may be starting to affect my accuracy.

[dw06]

Thats great,that o-ring makes a huge difference sometimes.My 223 shoots better fouled,like I've seen from many others here.I tned to clean it once in spring and fall and after about 5-6 shots its back to normal.Give it a try both ways and see if you notice what you're rifle likes.

[flitz]

my range report with the pic was also shot with a dirty barrel.seems to likeit
that way.no o ring in mine.

flitz

[burntmuch]

My 204 seems to shoot a lot tighter groups when its dirty. I started with a clean barrel .4- 5 inch groups After ten rounds it tightenen up to 1 inch groups. I was thinking about just running a patch thru it

[tomf52]

What is the "o ring thing"?

[quickdtoo]

A neoprene O-ring is placed on the forend stud to semi-float the forend, a pic and info is in the FAQs and Help sticky.

Tim

[mookster79]

I only run a patch through mine wet a few times, then I run dry ones until it comes out clean.  I have not really cleaned it since it was new.  I mostly due this out of habit of keeping moisture out of my barrels. Can't beat it though, I have more fun shooting this rifle than anything else in my cabinet.  After a few rounds it comes right back to accurate.

[pfettig]

sounds like I may have to have some cheapo factory ammo on hand just to use for fouling the barrel.
I wonder how much it would help to RTV bet the forend.  What's the real difference between that and the o ring?

[fastbike]

I get MOA results with Remington UMC. Using RTV is messier and more work than the O-ring. I clean my barrel when accuracy starts to drop off, which has typically been every 200-250 rounds.

sounds like I may have to have some cheapo factory ammo on hand just to use for fouling the barrel.
I wonder how much it would help to RTV bet the forend.  What's the real difference between that and the o ring?

[mookster79]

The remington umc did pretty well as well as the power lokt hp rounds from rem.  The wwb hp in 45 gr are great, but haven't been able to find them.  Have tried a few of the federal rounds, and all have worked pretty well as soon as my scope was rezeroed for them.  It really depends on what you want to do with the gun.  I do cut paper every now and again, but the primary use is as a varmint rifle around my house here.  Muskrat, Woodchucks, Racoons, etc.  I use the ultarmax 50  gr with the Nosler Ballistic Tips for my varmint round.  I can buy about 500 rounds for 200 bucks.  Pricey for paper cutters, but for varmint rounds they are deadly accurate and well worth the money.    I have the better part of a thousand rounds, and even though they are remanufactured I have taken a couple of rounds from each box and had no change in performance.  They seem to be loaded to very tight tolerances.