Accuracy expectations of .222

[pete evans]

I recently got a sako a1 .222 having wanted one for some time. I have to say I was expecting better accuracy having heard the multiple reports of easy to load for and super accurate. These are two 10 shot groups off a bag on my car bonnet at 100m it was a little blustery but nothing terrible. The tighter group is 40grn varmagedon and the more open group is ppu 50g sp both over n130.
Wondering what my next move should be accept accuracy, experiment more with charge or seating depth or try different bullets. Am I expecting too much?
I home load for 308 243 and 270 the 308 and 243 shot 1/2 inch groups with possibly the first batch of reloads the 270 was a little more fussy but have found a 1/2 inch group with 130 prohuters.

 

[RCS Deer Management]

Mine shot like that until bedded. Now it shoots tiny little clusters. Gone from 1.5moa to 0.25moa.

 

[Will the chippy]

I couldn't get on with ppu in my tikka 22250. Switched to 50g vmax. Easy 1/2 inch groups with very little load development.

 

[pete evans]

Mine shot like that until bedded. Now it shoots tiny little clusters. Gone from 1.5moa to 0.25moa.

Yes, this is also a consideration. I’ve devcon and puller bedded a couple of my rifles so will likely do this at some stage

 

[Smellydog]

Go straight to listed max charge and work up from there!

 

[finnbear270]

Try CFE223?

 

[Donkey Basher]

My guess is you’re not pushing the bullets fast enough - try using N120, especially with the 40gn. Assuming that is you’ve done all the usual like given the barrel a good scrub & made sure all the screws are tight.

You might also try shooting it prone using a bipod & back bag rather than the car bonnet. I find that there’s too much flex in the bonnet on my car.

 

[Andy RV]

They look like real world groups out in the field to me, especially with 10 shots each.

All of these ‘wonder groups’ rarely exceed 3 rounds prone off a bipod and rear bag.

 

[Heym SR20]

Don’t forget that .22 sized holes are pretty small, so a group looks a lot bigger than it really is.

That first group you showed is a dead fox all day long.

And all rifles are fussy about ammo and prefer some loads, bullets or brands better than others. You also need to learn how a rifle likes to be shot etc etc.

Also little 224 sized bullets are much more affected by blustery conditions than a bigger longer bullet. Remember even a 10mph wind at 100m can move a bullet enough to significantly open up a group.

Blustery implies significantly more than 10mph.

 

[User00040]

I recently got a sako a1 .222 having wanted one for some time. I have to say I was expecting better accuracy having heard the multiple reports of easy to load for and super accurate. These are two 10 shot groups off a bag on my car bonnet at 100m it was a little blustery but nothing terrible. The tighter group is 40grn varmagedon and the more open group is ppu 50g sp both over n130.
Wondering what my next move should be accept accuracy, experiment more with charge or seating depth or try different bullets. Am I expecting too much?
I home load for 308 243 and 270 the 308 and 243 shot 1/2 inch groups with possibly the first batch of reloads the 270 was a little more fussy but have found a 1/2 inch group with 130 prohuters.

Varmint or sporter barrel?

If its the latter and in the factory wooden stock, don't use a Harris or simillar bipod that attaches to the front sling swivel.

Keep in mind that if the barrel is original it will be between 1:14 to 1:12 twist. Try using a flat based bullet.

 

[RCS Deer Management]

Still, with respect to all other commenters, nothing that they have said is even worth considering until your rifle is properly bedded. I would get it bedded and then try the loads you have used again. You can then try to improve on them from there if needed.

 

[RCS Deer Management]

And n130 is gods gift to .222 users, if you’re rifle doesn’t like it there tends to be something wrong. I would say that you are on the right track using that powder. Ppu ammunition can be a bit hit or miss, some rifles like it, others don’t. If I was gauging the accuracy potential of a rifle I would use a proven bullet like a hornady v max or one of seirras offerings.

 

[Selous]

What condition is the barrel in, has it had a moderator on and what does the crown look like. Has it been bedded? Is everyone good and tight and is the scope ok? Lots of variables to rule out at this stage

 

[Acm]

They look like real world groups out in the field to me, especially with 10 shots each.

All of these ‘wonder groups’ rarely exceed 3 rounds prone off a bipod and rear bag.

Agree with this, the ppu is a bit pants but then it’s cheap ammo. Admittedly my .222 will shoot better than that with a 40grn v max load. But I’d have happily used your bottom group if that was as good as I’d got.

 

[Woodlander]

Try Vhit N130 and 50gr Blitzking.

 

[pete evans]

Still, with respect to all other commenters, nothing that they have said is even worth considering until your rifle is properly bedded. I would get it bedded and then try the loads you have used again. You can then try to improve on them from there if needed.

I’ve used devcon plastic steel in the past. Do you have experience of other bedding compounds?

 

[HonestJohn]

Shoot it off a bench in perfect conditions with that varmageddon load again, and let it cool before each shot. You might be surprised

 

[pete evans]

Shoot it off a bench in perfect conditions with that varmageddon load again, and let it cool before each shot. You might be surprised

Right enough I rattled the groups off in a couple of minutes with my Alpex. I’ll bed rifle do a few tweeks to ammo and shoot off bench with a high mag glass scope and see how it is. I’m hoping not to have to rebarrel

 

[HonestJohn]

Right enough I rattled the groups off in a couple of minutes with my Alpex. I’ll bed rifle do a few tweeks to ammo and shoot off bench with a high mag glass scope and see how it is. I’m hoping not to have to rebarrel

I’ve never seen a .222 that needed bedding to shoot clover leaf groups, and I’ve had a few!

I’d leave bedding to last IMHO.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

A couple of comments. First, I wouldn't shoot off the bonnet of a vehicle. In addition I would suggest -

• Supporting the rifle with a bipod and a rear bag.
• Selecting a target allows the scope reticle to engage with the target.
• Shooting 3 shot or 5 shot groups, if it's not shooting well, you will know in 3 shots.

Regards

JCS