Author Topic: At home on the range, well sort of.......  (Read 672 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jspartin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
At home on the range, well sort of.......
« on: August 28, 2012, 02:36:03 PM »
My range consists of my fourwheeler as my bench rest and woods out by the soybean field. I learned for myself what a difference brands and bullet grains make today. Below is a pic of the target set at 100 yards after I fired about ten rounds each of different brands of ammo, American Eagle 55 gr. FMJ, Remington UMC 45 gr. JHP and Ultramax 52 gr. JHP at 20 yards. At this distance, the Ultramax was definitely the tightest groups, basically one hole shots, the American Eagle was all over the place and the Remington was a little scattered and high by about three inches over the Ultramax. ???


So, I used the Ultrmax to fine tune it at 20 yards then moved out to 50. Still same results, Ultramax was still right on the cross hairs, AE was low and left, Remington was high but center. I decided to let it cool down a little while I worked on my Marlin 882SS 22 mag. Well, a few minutes later I was back to the Handi .223 and moved out to 100 paces. Started with the Remington UMC and was consistently high and couldn't get better than a 5 inch group, so back to the Ultramax. One shot barely left of the bullseye. Then I decided to just shoot off a bunch of the American Eagle since it was not shooting worth a damn at all. I fired five fairly quick shots without taking any real aim and of course they were scattered all over the target and the barrel was getting hot, so I said to myself "one more and I'm done".  It went just a little high but pretty much on center. So, of course I had to try just one more shot! Well hell, look at that, touching the last hole. Ok, just one more shot and I'm going home and I'll be damned if it didn't go right in the last hole I shot. You can't see it real well in the crappy picture below, but that is a three hole shot at 100 paces with ammo that wouldn't do squat for me at 50 paces and the barrel was really getting warm! Think I need to join a real range to get some better test results. Oh, I did find out that those Ultramax will absolutely obliterate a milk jug at 50 yards! Needless to say, not a lot of good actual data today, but sure had a helluva lot of fun shooting that .223!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, the reason I was so impressed with the three hole shot is because I was weaving and shaking like jack rabbit in a fox den! Hadn't eaten all day and was tired, plus bending over in a half squat is not a very comfortable way to shoot! ;~}


Sorry guys, I just noticed on the pic of the target that I had the American Eagle listed as JHP, they're actually FMJ.
H&R Handi .223 24" Heavy Barrel

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading,"  Thomas Jefferson

Offline gcrank1

  • Trade Count: (24)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7644
  • Gender: Male
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2012, 03:36:01 PM »
It is starting to get 'broke in'...... 8)
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline jspartin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2012, 03:45:16 PM »
Yep, didn't hurt that I ran the JB cleaning compound thru it yesterday. Swabbed out the barrel after about every 15 to 20 shots. Think it's gonna be a real nice little shooter as soon as I nail down what ammo it likes to eat best. Seems to really like those Ultramax 52 grainers! Still want to try at least one box of something in the 60 gr range just to see if it likes it or not.


Although, if I can get it to consistently repeat those three hole groups with the American Eagle ammo, I may just sight it in for those and call it done. They're the cheapest decent ammo I've found yet at around 6.50 per 20.
H&R Handi .223 24" Heavy Barrel

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading,"  Thomas Jefferson

Offline petemi

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (73)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7386
  • Gender: Male
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2012, 04:18:38 AM »
ALL MY HANDIS shoot better cruddy.  Don't keep it so spiffy clean.  If'n ya can't see through the bore, clean it ::)

Pete
Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,191112.msg1098959491.html#msg1098959491

Offline Dinny

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (268)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5524
  • Gender: Male
  • "Medics Save"
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2012, 05:15:31 AM »
I agree with the others about shooting better with a dirty barrel. Also, I have found it does take a hundred rounds for the barrels to settle down and start shooting consistently.

It's nice to see greenery. I haven't seen anything but baren desert for the last 4 months. Ughh. :(

Thanks, Dinny
Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day that my child may have peace"
Thomas Paine

Offline jspartin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2012, 08:49:55 AM »
Thanks for the info on the dirty barrels. I'll have to keep that in mind. Hey Dinny, here's a better one with a little more green in it for ya! It's where I go when I want to get away from the house for while and just do some plinking with the .22s.
H&R Handi .223 24" Heavy Barrel

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading,"  Thomas Jefferson

Offline Dinny

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (268)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5524
  • Gender: Male
  • "Medics Save"
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2012, 08:38:11 AM »
I dream of places like that every night. I think I'll have flashbacks of this place everytime I see a sandbox again. That makes it official, my kids will never get a sandbox from me as a gift. ;) Besides that, playing in the woods is so much more fun anyways. :)

Thanks for sharing, Dinny
Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day that my child may have peace"
Thomas Paine

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2012, 08:42:28 AM »
Hope you are in green lands back home soon . Thanks for what you do.
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline jspartin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2012, 11:44:13 AM »
Hope you are in green lands back home soon . Thanks for what you do.




x2 here. You and all of our men and women over there are appreciated more than you'll ever know! I got several buddies and family members that have been or are over there, so you guys watch out for each other and stay safe!
H&R Handi .223 24" Heavy Barrel

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading,"  Thomas Jefferson

Offline cwlongshot

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (158)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9907
  • Gender: Male
  • Shooting, Hunting, the Outdoors & ATVs
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2012, 12:35:29 PM »
Hope you are in green lands back home soon . Thanks for what you do.




x2 here. You and all of our men and women over there are appreciated more than you'll ever know! I got several buddies and family members that have been or are over there, so you guys watch out for each other and stay safe!

Good to hear form you Dinny!!  While its not a green land scape, your devotion allows us all to wake up to this every day...




This is the view I have from the boat at the mouth of the Connecticut river in Ol' Saybrook Connecticut.

Thank you for all you guys are doing over there!! Come home safe and SOON!

CW
"Pay heed to the man who carries a single shot rifle, he likely knows how to use it."

NRA LIFE Member 
Remember... Four boxes keep us free: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.

Offline jspartin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2012, 03:23:19 PM »
Here's a little more "green" for ya Dinny! I've lived in NW Ohio for the past 23 years, but this is where I grew up in SE KY.


cwlongshot: I'd take that view any day!
H&R Handi .223 24" Heavy Barrel

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading,"  Thomas Jefferson

Offline fullup3

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2012, 03:54:29 PM »
I have also had  very good luck in the accuracy department with the ultramax reloaded ammo in .223.   I have a couple of .223 bolt actions...one shoots the 50 grain nosler BT Ultramax sub 1/2" and the other shoots the 40 grainers the same.   you might also try the 40grain vmax loads from Fiocchi.  They are also a really good bargain, and are pretty fast at 3650fps.  They shoot rediculously well in both my .223's and are very explosive!

Offline jspartin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
Re: At home on the range, well sort of.......
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2012, 05:22:21 PM »
I've been looking for those Fiocchis all over the place around here. The only place I can find them is online. The shipping charges make it cost prohibitive versus buying other  brands around here. Hopefully I can find some at the gun shows this fall.
H&R Handi .223 24" Heavy Barrel

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading,"  Thomas Jefferson