NEED HELP WITH A 35 WHELEN IMPROVED

[KzDurango]

Hi guys was curious if anyone here has used CFE 223 IN A 35 WHELEN IMPROVED ?

The problem im having is my groups are not where i think they should be.
my barrel is a 26 inch 1-12 twist chambered in 35 whlen improved.
my projectiles i have available are 200 grain accubonds. i have varget and cfe 223 for powders available.
ive done a ladder test from 68 to 70 grains in .2 grain increments and the barrel will put a 3 shot group together at 2 inchs at 200 yards with 69 grains of cfe223.
however even with seating depth test it will not tighten down any more then that 2 inch group. do you think i should see what 66 to 68 grain powder charge looks like ?? or change powders ?? what would be my better option for tighter 3 shot groups ?

 

[cajun]

I have a 350 rem mag which is real similar. I could not get the accubonds to shoot. Too long for the twist rate. The barnes 200 tsx shoots really good. I would look at nosler and barnes data for powder options. I just re read your post 2" at 200 is moa and not too bad. You might could do better with a shorter bullet.

 

[KzDurango]

I have a 350 rem mag which is real similar. I could not get the accubonds to shoot. Too long for the twist rate. The barnes 200 tsx shoots really good. I would look at nosler and barnes data for powder options.

what powder did you end up using ?

 

[cajun]

I've used reloader 17 with good results but ram shot tac was 100 fps faster.

 

[KzDurango]

do you happen to remember what kind of velocity you was getting with tac ?
with cfe 223 im at 3167 fps in a 26 inch barrel with 1-12 twist

 

[cajun]

Barnes data says 2943 out of a 20". I'm at 2700 in an 18" at the starting load. I'm shooting a rem 600 with synthetic stock that weighs 6.5 pounds. It's a handful. I'm sure it would do more but for less than 200 yds where I'm at it's fine.

 

[cajun]

Your not going to find any wheelen data with tac but a google search will turn up some data from John Barsness.

 

[KzDurango]

Ok

 

[KzDurango]

Powder charge test done at 5 thousands from lands and 200 yards

 

[KzDurango]

Seating test at 69 grains of CFE 223
200 grain accubond GM210M primer . Done at 200 yards

 

[KzDurango]

Seating test at 70 grains of CFE 223
200 grain accubond , GM210M primer ,
200 yards

 

[KzDurango]

any suggestions ?

 

[cajun]

When I do a seating test it's usually larger spreads. I start at 20 off and do 40,60,80,100. When I find what shoots best I may make smaller adjustments. You would be surprised how many good loads I've found way off the lands.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Seating is done at all the same POWDER CHARGE. Changing powder charge is your mistake, you're just adding unnecessary variables.
I do all of my seating testing with ONE powder charge with .010" variance from touching (0.00") out to .050". Then, and only then, do I mess with powder. I also use a middle load from a manual so that powder isn't influencing the outcome…

Cheers.