50 at 200

[jaia]

End of the year, 2019, last bit of range time at 200 yards.
Pulled the BBBmag test platform off the shelf and reassembled it.



And the first 5 shots at 200 yards produced a random act of accuracy.
Sub-moa...should have stopped right there.
That way I could say "all day long".




Browning 25 grain 17wsm rated 2600 fps.
It's relabeled Winchester production.
Same box, different tip color, Winchester date code on the end flap.



Quick inspection showed broken off ballistic tips, uneven seating depths,
tilted bullets, differing brass dimensions...that's that minimal Winchester quality control.
200 fps ES and the cartridge defects created some spread.



Second box showed more visible defects.
Tips bent or misshapen and uneven bullet seating.
ES was better, only 100 fps, half that of the first box.
1 failure to fire. 4 retries and no joy.
All deep clean strikes, no primer in the rim.

[gcrank1]

That stock looks like it is about ready for a spidey paint job

[jaia]

It was a bit gusty this morning.
Wind swirling from around the beginning of the left side berm
made it necessary to weigh down the chronograph. Range box and cordage
added enough ballast to prevent toppling the setup during the heavier swirls.



Browning 25 grain 17wsm rated 2600 fps

Savage Barrel Block Bmag and Sinclair bipod



Sent 5 to adjust the scope to the conditions, then 5 at a time at individual aimpoints.
Group sizes, measured center to center at widest point, in order as shot were:

2.4" (sighter group)
3.0"
3.2"
2.1"
1.8"
2.1"
1.4"
3.1"
2.7"
2.0"

Total vertical spread was 5", horizontal was 4 inches.

Turbulence from the wind over the berm didn't help.




Pretty decent results .
Wouldn't want to be a rodent on the the receiving end with this ammo.

[jaia]

Last of the 17 wsm at 200 yards.
Winchester 25 grain rated 2600 fps
Wind from the SSE at 15 to 18 mph, swirling and gusting.
Barrel block Bmag on the Sinclair bipod, 5 shot groups.






group sizes range from 1.8 to 5.7 inches
total spread 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches
not a surprise with the wind kicking my adze.

[LeShaghal]

This is THE definitive data set for long range rim-fire.
Thanks to JAIA for putting in the work (You're a hero)
it is not only an excellent record, WITH PICTURES, but the groups are well cataloged and annotated for ease of access.

So why isn't this thread a sticky in the forum!?

[Eaglehunter]

Originally Posted by LeShaghal

Thanks to JAIA for putting in the work (You're a hero)

it is not only an excellent record, WITH PICTURES, but the groups are well cataloged and annotated for ease of access.

Absolutely agree!! This is an exceptional resource and I am very thankful for Jaia having gone through, and continue to go through, all the effort and expense to create and update this reference for all of us.

Jaia, you have not by any chance captured all this data in a spreadsheet or other consolidated record, have you?

[jaia]

Sorry, I grew up in an analog era.
Write it down and take pictures is as good as I can do.
My skills with a keyboard are hunt and peck.
If someone else is into data entry, I won't stop 'em.

[chillywig]

This is a great informative thread. I have made several ammo purchases and kind of knew what I could be getting into performance wise before even firing one shot.

jaia I do have one question. Why do you use a bipod instead of some type of benchrest front bag? I am considering a new front support and wondered if you had any advice?

Thanks

[jaia]

I like the Sinclair F-Class bipod, that's all.
Wide stable footprint, vertical adjustment and tilt.
Very practical device for what I do.
At the range or in the field picking off feral shoats with a 223, it just works.
It attaches to the sling stud so it can be used on most all my rifles.

I also use heavy bags and Harris bipods depending on my mood.

I tried a full benchrest style mechanical rest a few times,
it's just not my preferred style of shooting, too many finicky adjustments.
More fun gluing together scrap lumber and epoxy bedding barrels to see what happens.

[Al the Infidel]

Bummer it wasn't still air Jala.

Maybe hydro-dip the stock using rattle can paints?

[BillOH]

Originally Posted by Al the Infidel

Maybe hydro-dip the stock using rattle can paints?

I think he should tiger stripe it like the muzzle loaders. I think they wrap string around the stock and set it on fire or something. Then stain it maple or walnut.

[jaia]

Paint? Why? I think the natural texture with epoxy highlights is so refined.

Bill...Al...paint? Puhleeeeeze... it'd be sacreligious, like lipstick on a pig.

[gcrank1]

Ok, truck bed liner then?

[jaia]

Well, there will be an indefinite delay with any further results on my end.
Some dum-adze decided that the flagpole on a side barrier would be a good thing to shoot at.
Pole destroyed, rounds carried into an adjoining property hitting a residence,
scaring the holey shirt out of the homeowner and kid in the back yard.
Range is shut down until a solution can be built to prevent further stupidity.
Probably going to be a long wait.

Some folks just don't have the necessary number of live brain cells needed to use a firearm responsibly.

[gcrank1]

Our local gun club got shut down (some decades ago now) when an anti-gun homeowner claimed his house, well 'downrange', got hit from the range. Even though the bullet hole was upward from the street (arrow shaft test) the club got shut down and never recovered.
I wish you well but suggest you dont hold your breath.