09-30-2023, 12:41 PM
Finally was able to get out and shoot with better than good conditions for our range. Shot the Hornady Custom and Black ammo as well as some handloads. The Custom and Black both shot very well, impressive I should say for factory ammo, both doing .6 MOA or a bit better. Handloads with both 123 SST and123 ELDM also did the same.
It appears that our range is more tempermental than I thought. Groups were going just fine until, the cloud cover broke and the sun peeked out for a moment. This started the air movements, and switching. Left right, boils, right left, head winds. Nothing excessive, maybe 6 MPH, but switching very quickly.
Then clouds again, dark target, but light in front. Bottom line, before clouds allowed sun, groups excellent. As it warmed and wind picked up and switches, groups suffered. I was able to get things sorted out early though.
I still think the 123 SST is a finicky bullet, the 123ELDM much easier to get to perform.
Shot out of 2 identical uppers, my sons will not shoot the Custom factory load worth a crap, but the Black factory is excellent. My upper shoots both the Custom and Black factory loads .6 MOA or a tad better. My barrel has 650 rds through, his only 250 rds. Maybe his is not "broke" in yet.
At any rate, my son is satisfied with the Black factory load and is sighted for deer season. I will use both the Custom factory load and 2 of my handloads for deer season, tags permitting. Handloads are both just a bit over factory FPS in my barrel at 2590 fps, the Custom factory at 2578 fps. The Black factory load did 2540 fps. This from 20" uppers as mentioned previously.
It appears that our range is more tempermental than I thought. Groups were going just fine until, the cloud cover broke and the sun peeked out for a moment. This started the air movements, and switching. Left right, boils, right left, head winds. Nothing excessive, maybe 6 MPH, but switching very quickly.
Then clouds again, dark target, but light in front. Bottom line, before clouds allowed sun, groups excellent. As it warmed and wind picked up and switches, groups suffered. I was able to get things sorted out early though.
I still think the 123 SST is a finicky bullet, the 123ELDM much easier to get to perform.
Shot out of 2 identical uppers, my sons will not shoot the Custom factory load worth a crap, but the Black factory is excellent. My upper shoots both the Custom and Black factory loads .6 MOA or a tad better. My barrel has 650 rds through, his only 250 rds. Maybe his is not "broke" in yet.
At any rate, my son is satisfied with the Black factory load and is sighted for deer season. I will use both the Custom factory load and 2 of my handloads for deer season, tags permitting. Handloads are both just a bit over factory FPS in my barrel at 2590 fps, the Custom factory at 2578 fps. The Black factory load did 2540 fps. This from 20" uppers as mentioned previously.