weighing brass

D

drover

Member
I think that this has been discussed before but I tried to find a link and was unsucessful.

I have a Cooper Varminter in 223, it is an honest one-half inch rifle for 5 shots at 100 yds, some days a little better but rarely any worse. The trigger is a consistent 8 ounces, which is what I am comfortable with, I use wind flags, a good solid ground mounted wood bench, a good leather rear bag and a Midway Rock rest with a leather front rest that fits the forearm (I have tried a corura front rest but groups open up when using it). I am very careful about rifle set-up and try to use proper bench techniques, although the rifle wants to shoot best being held fairly tight rather than a loose (benchrest type hold). The rifle complete with scope and mounts only weights slightly more than 9 lbs and with the varminter stock design it does not lend itself well to being shot free recoil.

For loads I use 26.3 VV-133, Win brass, 40 gr Nosler ballistic tip bullets. Win brass which the rifle seems to prefer, I have tried all of the other brands including Fed Match. I have also tried bullets thorough 52 grains from all of the major manufacturers including the Sierra match and Nosler matchm I have not tried any custom bullets because the rifle shoots the 40 gr Nosler ballistic tips better than the heavier (50 & 50 gr) match bullets.

The question is this - In a half-minute rifle is there any advantage to be gained from sorting brass by weight. Please share your thoughts and experiences on this.

I have also posted this on the General Discussion forum.

Thanks in advance - drover
 
I have compared various brands of brass by weight and found the Lapua to be the most consistent. Thus, I no longer weigh them. If this is a hunting rifle, there is littlle to be gained by weighing brass. There are many other techniques that will produce more accurate loads and put your time to better use.

Congratulations on using wind flags!! This is the real secret to success.
 
I should have added that while I do occassionaly use it for gophers and PD's it's main function is in local meat shoots.

The reason I asked the question is that lately there have been quite a few of the shooters who have stepped up from varmint rifles (mostly 40X's and accurized 700's) to full blown benchrest rifles. These rifles have been purchased used and most of them probably would not be competitive at a registered match but even at that it is difficult to compete against a bench rifle using a varminter. Our regimen is one-shot at a 100 yards and closest to the center of the bull wins, usually when I lose it is because the bench rilfes are generally 6 PPC and I am shooting a 22 caliber and I end losing by being beat out by the larger caliber being closer to the center of the bull.

I am still a good enough shooter that I win occassionaly but I am looking for that next little bit that will put me into the winners circle without going to a benchrest specific rifle. We generally only have shoots 3 times a year and I have no desire to buy a bench rifle to only use that often.

On a bit of a downer - I did try Lapua brass and could not detect any measurable decrease in group size. It looks as though I may have reached the capability of the rifle, and perhaps the shooter also.

Thanks for the replies - drover
 
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Use a Spire Point Bullet Holes are slightly bigger. Try A Hornady 55gr Spire point or a 52gr Speer tnt 55 Hornady Spsx. Try 21.7gr VVN133 With your brass and components. CCI 400 Primers or Federal 205M. 2.26"OAL
Skip the sort for weight at 100yds.

Trim each case to length after sizing. Adjust sizer to the point where no junction between the neck and shoulder of the case. On my press dies touching then turn back and stop just before any space is visable between the die and shellholder. At 100yds Weigh the bullets and trickle and weigh each powder charge .1gr or less variance.
 
yes weight sort winchester brass for sub .5 moa work.
i have sorted a single batch of 412 pcs of win 223 brass. it ran from 89.6 to 94.5. case volume varied 26.2 to 30.3. average was aroung 29.2.it will show up as 4 good shots and one unexplained flyer. do it if are really looking for a bit more accuracy, but you will never know till you try. as you have said you may be at the limit of the gun.

ball park velocity change in the brass a mentioned is aprox 270 fps..... so plus or minus 135....i think you can see that on a target

mike in co
 
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