[judgedelta]

Last fall I loaded some .223 ammo using Sierra 55 gr. flat base lead nose bullets with 21.9 gr. of Vith N-130, which according to the Sierra book should give up 3000 fps. Shooting my Savage Mod. 12 (9" twist), I can usually hit somewhere from point of aim to 1/2" out @ 100 yds (with 2 bags, of course). When the rifle gets hot, after 16 rounds, or so, some of the bullets are just not hitting the target or backstop, which is 3' X 3'. Some time 1, 2, or 3 bullets out of 4 will just go some where else, the one(s) that hits will be nearly on point of aim. After shooting, the case is not even warm, but there is a slight cratering of the primer, no hard extraction or pressure marks on the cases. These rounds spent the summer in my workshop with temps near 100 at times. The tech guy at Sierra suggested copper fouling, I scrubbed the heck out of the barrel, no change. Any ideas? Thanks.....

 

[captain-03]

Scoped rifle? How about with different ammo? That far off target suggest a loose scope to me as my 1st thought ... copper fouling would be way down on my list ... yes, copper will effect it; however, you are talking 3' - BS on the copper if you ask me .. sounds like a sight issue ... Of course I did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night!!

 

[judgedelta]

scope is tite. I shot some bought ammo, 25+ years old, Rem. FMJ, had no problem, except shooting 2 or 3 moa. The only thing I know to do is move up on the target until I can tell what is happening to the bullets. I don't have that many loads left, but I am curious as to why.....

 

[sidroski]

Do they start "creeping" off the target after 16 rounds or are they suddenly way off. If they're creeping, are they going in the same direction or all over the target. Curious also.

 

[judgedelta]

No creep or nothing, just gone. One or two out of a group of four, which is what the magazine holds, will be within an inch of POA, the other(s) are just gone. As mentioned, the target backer is about 3 X 3 and there are no holes except under the 8 X 11 target sheet.

 

[sidroski]

You got access to a bore scope? Check it just before they start flying and again when they do.

 

[22lrfan]

You said they are not hitting the "target or backstop". If you are not seeing any evidence of impact on the backstop the bullets could be disintergrating in mid air from the centrifigal force. I read an article recently about some .22 caliber bullets doing this in fast twist barrels. This could explain why the ones that stay together hit at POA and others just disappear. I don't know why it would only happen witha hot barrel. Just an idea.

 

[22lrfan]

This link talks a little about disappearing bullets.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2052812

 

[jbpmidas]

I would like to see a picture of the target. They are not going in the same hole are they?

Only thing I know to do is get a refrigerator box, or some other large piece of cardboard, and shoot it to know for sure where they are going. I shoot a 1-7" barrel and have no "disentigrating" bullets. I fired 40 rounds within 4 minutes at McCain Saturday and had no problems. I used 55, 60 and 69 grain bullets.

 

[Hammer]

I wonder if you have bullet stablization issues...

 

[Guest]

If it were me, I would move the target closer (50 yds) and try again. If you still get the same problem, move the target even closer (25 yds) until you're getting all bullets on target. You can tell a lot about why the bullets are hitting where they do by reading the target.

 

[judgedelta]

I just wish they were going into the same hole... Out of the last group, only one round hit the target, none in the backstop. I tried some really old (25 yrs+) Rem FMJ's and all hit the target. Next group with the lead-nose bullets, only one hit the target, but it was exactly on POA. I think the bullets are blowing up, but I have ordered some 62 gr. FMJ's from Midway and will load and try next week. Thanks all.

 

[captain-03]

Did you take SGMJody's recommendation of moving the target closer?

How fast you pushing them puppies???

 

[savageshooter]

you got a spotter? maybe a spotter can see whats happening. mine got married and moved. he was good!

 

[Xd357]

You really need to find out where they are going if their not hitting the back stop. How fast are you shootig them?

 

[msredneck]

shoot a 25 yard target till you can see what they are doing..If they are key holing it will be very obvious with an oblong tear...

Bore sight your rifle the old fashioned way. Remove bolt...look through bore on gun snug in a sandbag till its perfectly lined up on the x ring...then look up and adj scope to match....You might be missing the whole target....I've had it happen before with used guns and POS scopes that were improperly mounted

Its doubtful that your bullets are disintegrating...I'll call "doggie squeeze" on that one

 

[judgedelta]

Mystery mostly solved. Moved bench up to 60 yds. today. shot 12 PMC fmj's to warm up, then 4 reloads - all touching and exactly on POA. Next 8 more fmj's then 4 more reloads; this time only 2 on target AND had shrapnel on target and more on target right below. Little 55 gr. soft nose exploding. Apparently Vith N-130 doesn't take hot storage well. Must have gotten 130+ in my shop over summer, moved loose powder, but not loaded rounds, had some cratering of primers (hi-pressure sign) My best quess. would send pictures, but haven't a clue how...

 

[22lrfan]

It's great to hear you solved the mystery of where your bullets were going.