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Range Report Accuracy of SS109 green tip in a HQ bolt rifle?

TorF

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Minuteman
Oct 9, 2003
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I've been offered some Austrian Hirtenberger ss109 green tip ammo. What kind of accuracy can I expect from a good bolt action rifle with 1-8" barrel? Is it 1moa, 2moa or 3moa?

I'm not able to test the ammo before I buy..
 
Re: Accuracy of SS109 green tip in a HQ bolt rifle?

I'm not sure about the Austrian stuff, but with other NATO ammo I have tried it depends on the quality of the lot. The problem is that the bad lots usually get surplussed. And the worse the lot, the more bad bullets. The penetrator in the bad bullets make them wobble like crazy. I have seen 2.5 MOA from decent surplus lots, 3 MOA from bad lots. The issue is lack of consistency: it just isn't there from shot to shot.
 
Re: Accuracy of SS109 green tip in a HQ bolt rifle?

I had/have a case of the same stuff. Out of a rifle that would shoot around half.....the green tip did right about 2moa, give or take a bit.
 
Re: Accuracy of SS109 green tip in a HQ bolt rifle?

I'd give it a weak 2+ MOA. I hand loaded some virgin(non surplus) SS109 projectiles for an accuracy test. No mouth lacquer, did hand weigh all charges with mil-spec virgin powder, crimped "just" to not affect run out. Out of my custom service rifle, off a rest and rear bag, I was right about 2.5 MOA at 200 yds. The 3 component bullet is not acceptable for "accuracy" shooting. For penetrating kevlar helmets @ 600 yards, it's good stuff. BUT...you've got to hit the helmet first!
 
Re: Accuracy of SS109 green tip in a HQ bolt rifle?

I saw some US Army written works years ago which indicated that the 62-gr ammo would shoot 3 MOA pretty reliably, while the old M195 55-gr stuff had been doing 2 MOA out of most rifles.

The IMI-produced 62-gr FMJs with cannelure and without penetrator I tried once shot worse than either Winchester or Hornady 55-gr bullets, and that was out of a 1:7 twist barrel.