123 SST CFE 223 and PP Varmint

[RMiller]

Its seems everyone who reloads the Grendel has used CFE 223 but I thought I would post the results from my barrels anyways.
I worked up to these charges and to me anything less was well.....less. They were all lower velocity and at 30 grains seemed to be a light load.
These are under book max still, but to me look like a target velocity with these barrels. The classic shoots a bit faster than the Shilen.
Outside temp at the range was 80*F

CFE 223, Hornady case, CCI450, Hornady 123 SST,

18" Shilen barrel
31.3 - 2528,2514,2513,2516,2522

18" Classic barrel
31.3-2550,2550,2581,2540,2540

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Power Pro Varmint, Hornady case, CCI450 Hornady 123 SST

18" Shilen barrel

29 -- 2476, 2492, 2507, 2508

29.5 - 2543, 2537, 2543, 2571


18" Classic barrel

29 -- 2519, 2519, 2516

29.5 - 2571, 2557, 2568, 2565

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I also shot some Federal Fusion 120 in both guns

Shilen -- 2492, 2456, 2508

Classic - 2530, 2544, 2535

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Work up your own loads.

[RMiller]

I shot 31 CFE, 31.3 CFE, 29 Varmint and 29.5 Varmint through the Classic barrel at 200 yards.

The smallest group I got was 5.25 inches. I think this barrel hates the 123 SST.

I am going to shoot the same loads through the Shilen barrel when I get a new mount for my scope. I was using some weaver bases that wont stay tight and keep moving on me.

I also have some 100 grain ballistics tips coming that I am going to try in the Classic barrel.

[drykilned]

My 18" 5r ss hbar made by bca would not get anywhere near moa until i dropped back to 30gr cfe223 with the 123sst. At 30 grains and 2415 fps it shoots .75 to 1.25 at 100yds using bipod and rear bag. Still fighting feed from mags probs. Going to try different buffer next. No failure to eject, no failure if loaded by hand. Bolt locks back on last round. Have less problem with hornady brass than starline

[RMiller]

Today I shot the 31 CFE, 31.3 CFE, 29 Varmint and 29.5 Varmint through the Shilen barrel at 200 yards.

They all shot around 3.5" except one

The Varmint 29.5 was 1.7"

20180512_191008.jpeg

[Sticks]

It's the bullet. Great hunting round if someone has the luck to have a barrel it likes, and can get it to shoot.

Try another bullet. ELD, SMK VLD...

[RMiller]

I have the Grendel load book #2 ordered now.

I think I will load the rest of my SST's with 29.5 Varmint.

I am curios to see what I can get at 300 yards with them.

I will need to find bigger aiming dots though those one inch dots were a pain to aim at at 200 yards.

The SST is readily available here for 29.99 and Power Pro Varmint is 19.99 a pound.

[Drillboss]

RMiller, what temperature are you shooting at? I just posted up a test I did with PPV over the last few months after people had reported that it was pretty temperature sensitive. I got a big spike going from 80 to 90 degrees.

[RMiller]

It was about 60*F yesterday.

During hunting season its usually between 10*f and 40*f.

As a last resort I figured I could use the PP Varmint for 223 plinking loads since I picked it up cheap.

[grayfox]

Get the 2" and 3" circles, black works best outside on bright days IMO, they also can be in splatter-type so you see impacts better.
Inside the 2" at 200, 1 moa, etc.

[GregP42]

OK, shot my CFE test load today out of my Ruger American Predator,
30.0 gr CFE223
Federal small rifle match
Seated bullet at canelure, then used LFC
2530fps 13 fps ES
I shot 20 rounds at a 3" target at 200 yards, all 20 rounds went into 2.5 inches.
So it looks like this rifle likes the SST at that speed.

Greg

[Sticks]

Congratulations - you managed to obtain one of the very few barrels that will shoot SST!

[grayfox]

It's a meat-maker!! So this is with the original stock, yes?
Putting the MDT chassis on my Predator 243 tightened up the groups I'm getting, just a thought for ya in the future if you want to.
Also lets me use the AICS magpul mags... nice 5-rounders.

[GregP42]

Mine is stock except for a little polish job on the trigger to get it to two pounds. I am using the same mags as I use in my AR Grendel so having to go to a different mag would be a real deal breaker to me.

[hikfromstik]

I got 2620 from a Lilja 23" barrel using the long lapua 123gr scenars with ppv . Single digit SD too . With 123 Hornady AMAX I got to 2590 with the ppv. It's a great alternative powder if you are having soot issues with CFE 223

[LRRPF52]

Congratulations - you managed to obtain one of the very few barrels that will shoot SST!

I've been shooting 123gr SST into very good groups for years through a bunch of different barrels, mostly all higher end pipes though.

Many have been rapid-fired into the .3-.6 MOA range for 5rd groups.

I haven't shot many recent production lots though.

Wait, you're talking factory or hand loads?

If hand loads, it's shot really well for me since we group-bought initial production 123gr SST, as well as off-the-shelf SSTs since then.