Rustydust
Active member
Well another successful day at the range, guys.
Even though I have not cleaned my barrel yet other than a few pull throughs with a bore snake (waiting on a bore guide) all loads shot superb. With the 20 grain bullets and 12.2 grains of AA 1680 I averaged around 3750 fps. With 12.7 grains of CFE BlK I averaged over 3850 FPS with some speeds nudging 3900 FPS. This really surprised me it's about 200 FPS more than what Hodgdon says that I should get with that powder charge and a 24" barrel. Surprised in a Good Way to be sure. Easy bolt lift and no pressure signs.
While the 20 grain Berger HP (no longer made) and the 20 grain Nosler HP both shot well under an half inch, the 20 grain Vmax shot clusters no matter what the powder or primer. I shot a 7 shot and a 10 shot group that you could cover with a penny. Not a dime but close enough. I was using a 14X scope and think that I might have shrunk that bit more had I had 20X on it but even then, would not be much I dont think.
I was out there with couple of other shooters today and shot a few of of my other guns too (as always) but the star today, as I hoped, was the .17 Hornady Hornet. I will try a couple more loads in the next week or so I imagine (Ackleyman loved H110 in his Ackley Hornet) but really, I am so happy with how CFE BLK and 1680 shot that I could stop there and be mighty satisfied.
Everyone likes it when a plan comes together as you hoped. This one is even better. I can hardly wait for squirrel season next year.
Even though I have not cleaned my barrel yet other than a few pull throughs with a bore snake (waiting on a bore guide) all loads shot superb. With the 20 grain bullets and 12.2 grains of AA 1680 I averaged around 3750 fps. With 12.7 grains of CFE BlK I averaged over 3850 FPS with some speeds nudging 3900 FPS. This really surprised me it's about 200 FPS more than what Hodgdon says that I should get with that powder charge and a 24" barrel. Surprised in a Good Way to be sure. Easy bolt lift and no pressure signs.
While the 20 grain Berger HP (no longer made) and the 20 grain Nosler HP both shot well under an half inch, the 20 grain Vmax shot clusters no matter what the powder or primer. I shot a 7 shot and a 10 shot group that you could cover with a penny. Not a dime but close enough. I was using a 14X scope and think that I might have shrunk that bit more had I had 20X on it but even then, would not be much I dont think.
I was out there with couple of other shooters today and shot a few of of my other guns too (as always) but the star today, as I hoped, was the .17 Hornady Hornet. I will try a couple more loads in the next week or so I imagine (Ackleyman loved H110 in his Ackley Hornet) but really, I am so happy with how CFE BLK and 1680 shot that I could stop there and be mighty satisfied.
Everyone likes it when a plan comes together as you hoped. This one is even better. I can hardly wait for squirrel season next year.