.223 SPS test shoot

[Phylodog]

I had an opportunity to shoot my .223 SPS today in an attempt to figure out what it is going to like. I picked up one box each of the following:

Hornady 55gr VMAX
Federal Gold Medal 69gr SMK
Hornady 75gr BTHP Match
Federal Gold Medal 77gr SMK

I fired two 5 round groups with each. I'm not sure if this is enough rounds to be conclusive but the results were consistent enough for me to be comfortable in purchasing bullets to begin load development. I was pleased to see that the rifle held MOA or better with everything but I can't help but wonder if I'm right on the edge of stabilizing the 77gr SMK's (54*F / 645'AD today). Thoughts as to if I should expect problems with the 77gr SMK in warmer weather would be appreciated. Here are the groups:

 

[Phylodog]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

The SPS is the black rifle on the left in this pic:

Rem700 SPS cut & threaded at 18"
XLR Evolution chassis
Seekins base & rings
NF 5.5-22x50 NP-R1

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

Very nice! I keep thinking about a SPS in .223 but was unsure it would stabilize a 77 SMK which is all I care to shoot.

If you can ship loaded ammunition I would like to send you some reloads to try out. It's a proven load in every AR-15 I own. Might be a stupid thought however I'm curious as all get out.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

I'd be more than happy to give it a go Boone. Hard to turn down free ammo

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

Sending PM.

 

[Engine 22]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

Shipping loaded ammo is fine. I found this to be an interesting thread as I have a .223 SPS tactical (20" 1-9twist) as well. I have a load dialed in for the 55 V-Max, but have been having problems finding a load for some 69BTHP I have lying around. I guess I'll have to give the 77SMK a whirl....
Using Varget and the 77SMK, anyone have a suggested starting point?
Thanks!

 

[JCH]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

Nice looking rig phylodog! I have a ton of 69gr SMK's in my garage if you decide to go that route.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Engine22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shipping loaded ammo is fine. I found this to be an interesting thread as I have a .223 SPS tactical (20" 1-9twist) as well. I have a load dialed in for the 55 V-Max, but have been having problems finding a load for some 69BTHP I have lying around. I guess I'll have to give the 77SMK a whirl....
Using Varget and the 77SMK, anyone have a suggested starting point?
Thanks! </div></div>

I only fired half of each box of test ammo so that if I found something that shot really well I could chrono the remainder of the box to get a good idea of what velocity to shoot for. When I get a chance to chrono the 77gr Federal GMM I'll post the velocities.

 

[Cegorach]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

The 77's started key holing at about -15 F in mine. Totally factory SPS tac in .223.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Engine22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shipping loaded ammo is fine. I found this to be an interesting thread as I have a .223 SPS tactical (20" 1-9twist) as well. I have a load dialed in for the 55 V-Max, but have been having problems finding a load for some 69BTHP I have lying around. I guess I'll have to give the 77SMK a whirl....
Using Varget and the 77SMK, anyone have a suggested starting point?
Thanks! </div></div>

I can't speak directly for the SPS Tactical but I'll tell you what I'm sending Phylodog. BTW I tried Varget with zero consistant success. I switched to reloader-15 and haven't looked back.

This is a proven load in AR-15's 1/9, 1/8, 1/7 twists. I know because I own all three AR-15's. Not to mention a number of AR-15 shooters turned me on to the load.


Virgin Lake City Brass
Reloader-15 24.5 grains.
CCI BR # 4
77SMK
Seated to 2.260 COAL

To be on the safe side I'm going to load the following so Phylodog can look for pressure signs. Note you probably will have flatten primers on all loads. I've take this up to 24.8 grains without problems.

1-24.0 Grains
1-24.1 Grains
1-24.2 Grains
1-24.3 Grains
1-24.4 Grains

10-24.5 Grains Phylodog will have the ability to shoot two five shot groups.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phylodog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">but I can't help but wonder if I'm right on the edge of stabilizing the 77gr SMK's (54*F / 645'AD today).
Thoughts as to if I should expect problems with the 77gr SMK in warmer weather would be appreciated.</div></div>

In my rem tactical I have not had any probelms stablizing 69, 77, (SMK or nosler CC's) 70 grain berger vlds and hornady BTHP 75's, all have worked well summer or winter.
I can not shoot 75 and/or 80 Amax nor any 80 BTHP. But by far the best bullets (for groups) have been 69 SMK and 77 Nosler CC.

 

[CDAT]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

FYI I've had my SPS for a couple of years now. Great little Rifle to practice with. Low recoil and exceptional accuracy for a mass produced rifle.

Changes I've made to mine include replacing the stock with a PSS HS Precision Stock, 20 MOA Base, Leupold 4x14x40mm VX III Scope with M1 Knobs and TMR, AZ Precision Bolt Knob, CDI Bottom Metal, AI Polymer Mags (these mags allows really long seating of bullets) and a little trigger work to the original trigger.

I am also well aware of the stated limitations of the 1-9 twist rate barrel in regards to bullets weight, but with my hand loads (23.7 gns of Varget, CCI 400 primers, LC, Win, or FC cases, OAL 2.280), mine shoots better groups with 77 SMKs then it does with 69SMKs. Its not a hot load, but I have been able to consistly put 5 rounds into one ragged hole at 100 yards with it when I'm having a good day. I tried some hotter loads but once I got over 24 grains of Varget I stared getting numerous case head seperations and split necks on my brass so I backed off to the load stated above.

Consistently hitting a 6 inch plate at 500 yards with this load and rifle combination is not difficult. At 750 yards I am getting around a 50% hit ratio against a La Rue pop up target.

Overall I am more than pleased with system however, once this current barrel is shot out, I'll re barrel it with either a 1-7 or 1-8 22 or 24 inch barrel for the additional versatility it will give in terms of using heaver bullets and higher velocity.


CDAT

 

[jtb33]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phylodog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had an opportunity to shoot my .223 SPS today in an attempt to figure out what it is going to like. I picked up one box each of the following:

Hornady 55gr VMAX
Federal Gold Medal 69gr SMK
Hornady 75gr BTHP Match
Federal Gold Medal 77gr SMK

I fired two 5 round groups with each. I'm not sure if this is enough rounds to be conclusive but the results were consistent enough for me to be comfortable in purchasing bullets to begin load development. I was pleased to see that the rifle held MOA or better with everything but I can't help but wonder if I'm right on the edge of stabilizing the 77gr SMK's (54*F / 645'AD today). Thoughts as to if I should expect problems with the 77gr SMK in warmer weather would be appreciated. Here are the groups:

</div></div>

1:12 or 1:9 barrel?

I think they make both in the SPS line (SPS-V and SPS-Tactical).

 

[JCH]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

it is a 9 twist.....i sold it to him.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

I got out this morning to test the ammo boone sent me. I fired the first 5 test rounds and inspected the brass for any pressure signs. Not seeing any I fired the 24.5gr loads into four 5 shot groups. The burns on my wrists were a little distracting and I was a little rushed so I don't think I did his ammo justice, you can see that I got a little better with each group fired.

1st group

2nd group

3rd group

4th group

I wish I'd have taken a little time and warmed up prior to shooting the test ammo but I was a bit pressed for time.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

Looks like the load has potential. Glad I could be of service.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

Bought 900+ 69gr SMK's from JCH and started working on getting some more once fired brass in the que. I loaded up 100 rounds with virgin LC brass, 24.5gr RE15, Fed 205M and a 69gr SMK. Fired fifty rounds today in ten groups:

.46"
.625"
.579"
.734"
.713"
.861"
.309"
.671"
.536"
.401"

I'm no math wizard so my basic method of adding them all and dividing by ten gives me an average of .588". I'd consider that pretty respectable from a factory barrel and a thrown together load.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

***I'm bringing this post back from the dead rather than start a new one.***

I acquired my own SPS Tactical in .223 and began experimenting with the 77 SMK's with the dreaded 1/9 twist. (Remington this is your clue, make the tactical model a 1/8 twist)

My old standby load of
Virgin Lake City Brass
Reloader-15 24.5 grains.
FGMM primer
77SMK
Seated to 2.260 COAL

Shot pretty decent, about like Phylodog's. However I wasn't satisfied. So I began experimenting like normal. I'll save you the long drawn out version and post the three best groups.

Orange stickers are 1 inch.

Virgin Lake City Brass
Reloader-15 24.4 grains.
FGMM primer
77SMK
Seated to 2.380 COAL

Virgin Lake City Brass
Reloader-15 24.6 grains.
FGMM primer
77SMK
Seated to 2.340 COAL

Virgin Lake City Brass
Reloader-15 24.8 grains.
FGMM primer
77SMK
Seated to 2.380 COAL

I believe all three groups should in fact be one hole groups. I have a astigmatism in my right eye and did not shoot with my glasses on. It was pissing down the rain and I was soaked to the bone after running 12-15 deer off the range so I could shoot. So I wasn't going back to the truck to retrieve my glasses. I'll be shooting all three loads over a chronograph and make will my decision on which to keep.

Owners of the range.

Little SPS.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

Looking good Boone. I had mine out a few weeks ago at 850yds and the wind was giving us hell. I was holding great groups at 420yds but couldn't get on target at 850, could see the impacts, couldn't see a trace. My partner handed me a handful of 77gr loads he had put together for his rifle and I laid down a 5 round group around 6"-7" with them in a wicked wind.

I'll be picking up some 77gr SMK's in the not too distant future.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

I won't lie Phylodog I refuse the throw anything lighter than a 77SMK. You may find that the 77's need to be seated out longer. I used 40 thou jumps.

Let me know and I'll be glad to send you another batch to try out.

Haven't chronoed yet though...

 

[1Sg (ret)]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

I shoot 77smk and 77CC in my SPS tactical.The load is 23 grs AA2230 in win brass,WSR,and seated to mag length.I have shot out out to 500 on an 8 in plate and hit it every shot.The load shoots 1/2 moa at 100. Give it a try.It suprised me.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

I had good luck with lots of different powders in .223. Many of them gave good results under one set of conditions (weather) and didn't fare so well in others. I had my most consistent accuracy using Reloader 15, virgin Lake City brass (just to start out), Remington benchrest primers and, of course, Sierra 77gr SMKs.

I don't usually share specific load data, and the usual warnings apply. This is a load that I have developed and tested in my rifle. It may or may not be safe in yours. You should reduce the load and work up to be sure it is safe in your rifle.

A pretty standard load is 24gr of RL 15, using the above listed components loaded to about 2.260. Many want to try to get as close to the lands as they can, but this is an exercise in futility with stock Remington barrels. Just load to about 2.260 (SMKs really don't mind the jump to the lands). Trying to reach the lands in a stock barrel usually means giving up a lot of neck tension because the bullet is seated so shallow.

I think the general rule is that you want to have neck contact with the bullet equivalent to that of the diameter of the bullet.

Of course, the above has just been my experience. Yours may vary.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: .223 SPS test shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I won't lie Phylodog I refuse the throw anything lighter than a 77SMK. You may find that the 77's need to be seated out longer. I used 40 thou jumps.

Let me know and I'll be glad to send you another batch to try out.

Haven't chronoed yet though...
</div></div>

I appreciate the offer but since I already know mine will shoot the 77gr SMK's I'd just be taking some free ammo from you

I'm probably going to start off with my partner's recipe and adjust as necessary.