Why won't my .17Rem shoot v-max bullets?

[Dodder]

Gents,

As some of you may remember I have a Rem 700LVSF riflewhich shoots Berger 25grn HP Match varmint bullets over 21grns of Vit N133 very nicely (around 1/4" at 50yds).

I tried a while ago some homeloads with the 25grn V-maxes and N133 and could not for the life of me get a group less than 1" at 50yds despite the rifle having a 1:9 twist barrel. A couple of you came back with the suggestion of pushing them a bit faster which I have yet to try, but in the Interim I picked up a box of the 20grn V-maxes and the bloody thing wont shoot them any better than the 25grainers - any ideas chaps?

[the growler]

Try heavier 30grain berger mef or match. Sure the 1-9 is a fast twist, standard sako 17rem was 1-14 twist. The 30grain are extremely good on fox. Push your zero to 100yards though.

[sir-slots-alot]

Try heavier 30grain berger mef or match. Sure the 1-9 is a fast twist, standard sako 17rem was 1-14 twist. The 30grain are extremely good on fox. Push your zero to 100yards though.

Hi growler - No mate the standard twist was 1-10 which was developed for the Hornady 25 grn HP,
The longer bullets, such as 25grn Vmax and 30 grn Berger came later and required a tighter twist.

I have had exactly the same rifle - 17 rem LVSF - first thing I did was to free float the barrel by removing the stock pips it rests on. This instantly reduced the unexplainable fliers.

I would suggest a little more load development - definitely work up the load, you can probably go at least another grain - to a grain and a half.. but work up in small increments... 0.2 grains

I find that Rem BR 7, 1/2 primers are best in the 17 rem... so worth trying these if your not already.

it would be worth trying other powders - Vit 135 gives good results as do H4895 and Varget.

If your still not having any luck - The rifle needs to be checked out by a good smith.


ATB
Alan

[airgunnut]

how tight a crimp are you using? that can make all the difference

[Treebone]

My Fireball does not like them either, grouping 5 shots around the 1.5" mark.
It puts Hornady 25 grain JHP into little clusters around 5/8" but i cant get these bullets so i use Berger 25 grain FB varmint, which are much better then the V Max but not as accurate as the Hornady JHP.

TB.

[plonker]

Morning m8,I am using 22.2 gr of n133 so you should have room for more load development,BUT work up your load in .2gr at a time and you will find a sweet spot.
Dave

[Dodder]

Many thanks for the replies Gents:

The Growler - very happy with the Bergers, I'd just like to be able to use the V-Max as I now have a couple of boxes! 25grn for better BC and 20grn for faster velocity - I tend to mostly use the rifle for corvids and a 50yd initial zero gives me a 200yd second zero which is perfect for my needs, so dont really have a need for a 30grain projectile.

Sir Slots (after watching your vids you are my hero!) I have yet to pluck up the courage to remove those pips, but did raise the barrel by putting a cut-up credit card under the stock bolt which raises the barrel just a tad after your reply to a recent thread. This has definitely improved things in this area and tightened up the groups a bit. I will try upping the load a little when I get some time (although I didn't think this would be necessary for the 20grainers which are much shorter?) and currently use Federal 205 match primers which work well in all my other similar calibres. I didn't change the seating die when loading the V-Maxes and am running the Bergers quite close to the lands - do you think it might be worth backing them off a bit? Can I ask what COAL you are using with your 20 & 25 grain V-Max loads in your LVSF please?

Airgunnut - I dont think I'm putting any crimp on the bullet, just seating them I think?

Treebone - Maybe you're right and I should just stick with the Bergers - they work soooo well on Magpies!

Plonker - Thanks I will try upping the load a Little, but around 3700fps is all I really need as the rifle is mostly used at sub250yds.

All other opinions welcomed!