17-222 - Case Forming from .223 Brass - Page 6

Oso Polaris · #51 07-20-2021, 06:13 AM

After shooting (100 yards) both the 20gr and 25gr VMax bullets through 1:10 twist barrel, I think my rifle is marginally stabilizing the 25gr VMax. They aren't keyholing, but it does appear that the bullet is yawing in flight. Comparing the hole punch into the target by the 20gr vs. 25gr, the edges are more frayed on the 25gr bullets. Also, the bullet holes appear tilted as if bullet impacted the target on an angle, but this directional tilt/lean appears to vary from shot to shot.

Caveat: Shooting unfamiliar rifle off of cheap Caldwell green bags with no understanding of barrel's past quality/condition.

Picture 1 - 20gr VMax (nice clean concentric cookie cutter holes)

Photo 2: 25gr VMax (edges are ragged and minor tears, and holes seem to be randomly leaning)

Photo 3: 25gr VMax's and a single 20gr VMax circled in pen (note different appearance of holes)

What do you think - is the 25gr VMax having issues through my rifle.

Kevin Gullette · #52 07-20-2021, 10:47 AM

How do you KNOW, for sure, that the twist is 1 in 9.0" ? Did you personally measure it? How did you measure it?

Is the barrel reasonably clean? When cleaned.....how do you KNOW it is clean. How do you clean it.....specifically?

Just things to check......

BTW.....a true 9.0" twist barrel, that is reasonably clean, should have NO trouble stabilizing a 25Vmax.

Kevin

Oso Polaris · #53 07-20-2021, 01:52 PM

Kevin - thanks for jogging my memory. It was late when I was typing and clearly had lost my focus and moved into fantasy land. When I measured the barrel I determined it to be 1:10 twist, which is why I was testing to see if it would stabilize the 25gr VMax. I corrected the earlier post.

I had 1:9 twist on my brain... Nothing like a bad day at range to make you question a lot of things, including the "what ifs" of is the barrel shot and if so then rebarrel with Lilja (1:9, 3 groove) and keep as 17-222 or go 17FB, or rebarrel and go 20-222, or... Cool my jets and relax and then start with the simple things first (incremental improvements) shoot the rifle a little more and practice getting used to it (bigger guy shooting a smaller size rifle), upgrade bench setup with better front & rear bags, etc. I usually shoot off bipods, but that isn't going to work with these petite vintage rifles.

As far as cleaning - I ran patches and brush through the barrel until patches were clean after each test group (15 shots) .

TinMan · #54 07-20-2021, 03:58 PM

The 25gr HP bullets do shoot well in the 1:10 barrels. Have you tried them?

Oso Polaris · #55 07-20-2021, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinMan

The 25gr HP bullets do shoot well in the 1:10 barrels. Have you tried them?

Yes - shot (40 rounds) with the 25gr VMax. The 2nd and 3rd photo (above) are the 25gr bullets. There is a difference in the holes in the target between the 20gr (clean sharp circle with perfectly cut edges) and the 25 gr (ragged holes with micro tearing). The 25gr holes all look more as if shot in at an angle, with the hole having a little more tearing on one side. If the edge was cleaner it might appear slightly oblong... and the orientation of this "leaning/angle" appears to be different from shot to shot.

Anyone else seeing this or is it just me???

Wiserfool · #56 07-20-2021, 05:05 PM

Oso, he's talking about the 25gr HP, not the V-Max.

Oso Polaris · #57 07-20-2021, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiserfool

Oso, he's talking about the 25gr HP, not the V-Max.

Sorry - thanks for the clarification I skimmed right past the HP detail.

No, I haven't tried the 25gr HP. I just looked in my bullet drawer... no such luck. I will have to track down a box to try out.

Oso Polaris · #58 07-20-2021, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinMan

The 25gr HP bullets do shoot well in the 1:10 barrels. Have you tried them?

Any particular brand of the 25gr HP that you recommend?

Thanks

Wiserfool · #59 07-20-2021, 07:11 PM

This discussion from a few weeks ago has some good info on the Hornady 25gr HP.

http://www.saubier.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37705

TinMan · #60 07-20-2021, 08:43 PM

I have used the Hornady 25gr HP, the Berger 25gr Match and the original Remington 25gr HP. Not sure if they all are still available. The Hornady and Berger were favored for coyote sized game. I use them in my 17 Remington.