Erratic Loads?

[rbahri5206]

I was shooting some 69gn sierra .224 with 25gn of cfe223 out of a 20" 1/8 twist AR with an average fps of 2722, and at 100yds shooting nice groups but at 200yds all over the place what would cause that and how do I fix it.
here is the load data I followed

69 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.235" C.O.A.L
23.5gn 2788fps 43,800 PSI 25.8gn 3029fps 54,600 PSI

Thank you all in advanced.

[mark501w]

Something come me lose while shooting?

[Armando de la Guerra]

One question: were these loaded on a progressive press? How careful were you with powder measurement? (actually that's two questions)

[CK_32]

One question: were these loaded on a progressive press? How careful were you with powder measurement? (actually that's two questions)

This.

OALs checked? Powders triple checked? Quality components used?

Condition and round count on gun? Scope no scope? Solid mounts? Torqued to proper spec?


Have you OCW'd or Ladder tested this load? Are you sure it's an accuracy node?

[Armando de la Guerra]

This.

OALs checked? Powders triple checked? Quality components used?

Condition and round count on gun? Scope no scope? Solid mounts? Torqued to proper spec?


Have you OCW'd or Ladder tested this load? Are you sure it's an accuracy node?

or.......he could be flinching.

[rbahri5206]

Something come me lose while shooting?

not likely because when I returned to 100yds its fine.

Theses were hand loaded single stage and I used an Hornaday auto charge and doubled checked each load with another scale. the barrel is fairly new less than 500 rounds. and its a heavy barrel and was shooting 5 shots at a time to make sure it was not a heat issue

[mark501w]

Did ya check?

[bsumoba]

could you have had different conditions when shooting 200 yds? could be your conditions like wind.

what group size were you getting at 100 yds and at 200 yds? maybe your expectations are off.

[Ahhnother8]

parallax?

[Agustav]

I am guessing parallax on your scope as well... what is your group size at 100 and 200 yeards?

[knucklehead0202]

wind? keep in mind, it's just a .22.

[ireload]

I doubt that wind would affect a 69gr Sierra hpbt at 200 yard mark unless there a good strong wind blowing. I would also go with parallax. But also check your scope's mounting screw torque.

[bsumoba]

wind? keep in mind, it's just a .22.

i know, my point exactly...its a .22 and its 200 yards. if its blowing 15 MPH with a 9 or 3 o'clock cross, the theoretical wind adjustment is around 4-5 inches. @ 10 MPH, its about 3 inches...and thats with a 77gr bullet.

however, the OP has not put what his groups were and what his expectations are as far as "accuracy" goes. he doesnt tell us if his conditions were the same, etc.

It could be that he's looking for 1 inch groups at 200 yards and he's getting 2 inch groups

It could also be parallax or maybe something in his scope is off like other posters mentioned like improperly torqued scope rings or screws.

Point being, we need the OP to give us more details.

[NiMiK]

Could temp, elevation, humidity affect this as well?

[knucklehead0202]

Could temp, elevation, humidity affect this as well?

absolutely! at that range though not as much as wind.