Having already seen how accurate the 123 Amax over 8208 can be, I shot plated some with Hexagonal Boron Nitride and loaded them over the same charges of 8208 again. I was pleased to see not much change in ballistics, but surrised to see a fall off in accuracy. Granted conditions were slightly different at the range in that there was a gusty (10-15mph) tail wind, but it didn't seem enough to make a difference at 100 yards.
I did the same thing for the Nosler 120gr Ballistic Tip, having recorded some velocities a month ago for non-plated. Unfortunately, there are no accuracy comparisons for these as the first outing had problems from my brake that blew up the groups. Having corrected that, I was nevertheless pleased with the groups across a modest range (1.5gr) of powder.
Here's some images:
First the 123 Amax results
And the 120 NBT results
Neither sets are studies in extreme accuracy but it felt good to get out and throw some lead. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the inherent accuracy of this caliber. It can make anyone feel like Vassili Zaitsev.
The jury is out on the HBN. These rounds don't build up copper terribly without it and in the case of the 123 Amax's, I suspect the beating they take in the rotary tumbler could possibly have contributed in the looser groups. Of course, it could have just been a bad day for me. I have tumbled some NBT 100s also, but only have 50 brass to work with, so they will have to wait until next time out for testing. I think in the case of the NBTs, they being only set back .010 from the lands makes them more susceptible to higher pressure and perhaps that's why they did so well with the HBN. Though not as slippery as MoS and my favorite WS2, it is still a little more slippery than bare copper. Perhaps I have yet to shoot enough rounds in one setting to see appreciable copper buildup before cleaning.
With case capacity already at maximum to get the speed we like, more slippery rounds and their inherent contribution to needing more powder to hit the same velocity may preclude MoS and WS2 which do contribute to less friction.
I'm just enjoying playing with processes that have sometimes proven useful in other calibers. Those 123 Amax's don't really need any improving, judging from my first outing with them. Without re-shooting the NBT 100s and 120s without HBN for a comparison, it's hard to tell if the accuracy benefits at all from it. Something else to try on another outing.
humbly submitted,
Hoot
I did the same thing for the Nosler 120gr Ballistic Tip, having recorded some velocities a month ago for non-plated. Unfortunately, there are no accuracy comparisons for these as the first outing had problems from my brake that blew up the groups. Having corrected that, I was nevertheless pleased with the groups across a modest range (1.5gr) of powder.
Here's some images:
First the 123 Amax results
And the 120 NBT results
Neither sets are studies in extreme accuracy but it felt good to get out and throw some lead. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the inherent accuracy of this caliber. It can make anyone feel like Vassili Zaitsev.
The jury is out on the HBN. These rounds don't build up copper terribly without it and in the case of the 123 Amax's, I suspect the beating they take in the rotary tumbler could possibly have contributed in the looser groups. Of course, it could have just been a bad day for me. I have tumbled some NBT 100s also, but only have 50 brass to work with, so they will have to wait until next time out for testing. I think in the case of the NBTs, they being only set back .010 from the lands makes them more susceptible to higher pressure and perhaps that's why they did so well with the HBN. Though not as slippery as MoS and my favorite WS2, it is still a little more slippery than bare copper. Perhaps I have yet to shoot enough rounds in one setting to see appreciable copper buildup before cleaning.
With case capacity already at maximum to get the speed we like, more slippery rounds and their inherent contribution to needing more powder to hit the same velocity may preclude MoS and WS2 which do contribute to less friction.
I'm just enjoying playing with processes that have sometimes proven useful in other calibers. Those 123 Amax's don't really need any improving, judging from my first outing with them. Without re-shooting the NBT 100s and 120s without HBN for a comparison, it's hard to tell if the accuracy benefits at all from it. Something else to try on another outing.
humbly submitted,
Hoot
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