Factory ammo surprise - Rem Slow Poke
Sept 2, 2010 9:41:32 GMT -5
Post by northny on Sept 2, 2010 9:41:32 GMT -5
I have only had a chronograph for about two years, and have only used it with my hand-loads. But this week I put a few factory rounds over it. Got a big surprise from Remington ammo.
All rounds were 130 grain spire points, all shot from Mod.70 Winchester feather weight with 3 - 9X Nikon scope.
Here is the story. For about 10 years, I have been using Speer Nitrex factory ammo in my .270 Winchester. (They came from the factory with Speer Grand Slam bullets in them.) But my supply was running out, so I was at the range sighting in with Federal Premium ammo (Nosler partitions in them). I was pleasantly surprised that both hit to roughly the same point of impact at 100 and 200 yards. Center of group on the speer was an inch and a bit higher at 200 yards, but there was overlap in the two groups. I have seen bigger lot to lot variations, so chalked it up to good luck.
But I also had some Remington factory ammo, 130 grain PSP and wanted to see how close they were to Federal and Speer. Not close at all. They did not even hit on the same target, (but luckily impacted the target below). 14+ inches low vs speer and federal ammo at 200 yards! Yikes!
In fairness, the Remington ammo was from a partial box that was 10 + years old. (but the same age as the speer ammo, and they have been stored side by side). So off to Walmart, picked up a new box of Remington's, and went back to the range with the chronograph.
Same results, the fresh Remington's were still 14" low at 200 yards. Speeds below measured 10 ft from muzzle.
Speer Nitrex Grand Slam 2992 fps (avg of last 2 rounds)
Fed. Premium Vital Shock 3021 fps (5 shot avg)
Remington Core lokt 2799 fps (5 shot avg)
The older Remington box claimed a speed of of 3060 fps at the muzzle. Obviously not.
I was more surprised by the difference in speed than I was the fact that Remington was below claimed speed. I expected all of them to be well below 3000. I will pick up a box of standard Federal ammo next and see where they clock in.
This may not be new info to you, but except for my .223 I rarely shoot factory rifle ammo, so it was a surprise to me!
All rounds were 130 grain spire points, all shot from Mod.70 Winchester feather weight with 3 - 9X Nikon scope.
Here is the story. For about 10 years, I have been using Speer Nitrex factory ammo in my .270 Winchester. (They came from the factory with Speer Grand Slam bullets in them.) But my supply was running out, so I was at the range sighting in with Federal Premium ammo (Nosler partitions in them). I was pleasantly surprised that both hit to roughly the same point of impact at 100 and 200 yards. Center of group on the speer was an inch and a bit higher at 200 yards, but there was overlap in the two groups. I have seen bigger lot to lot variations, so chalked it up to good luck.
But I also had some Remington factory ammo, 130 grain PSP and wanted to see how close they were to Federal and Speer. Not close at all. They did not even hit on the same target, (but luckily impacted the target below). 14+ inches low vs speer and federal ammo at 200 yards! Yikes!
In fairness, the Remington ammo was from a partial box that was 10 + years old. (but the same age as the speer ammo, and they have been stored side by side). So off to Walmart, picked up a new box of Remington's, and went back to the range with the chronograph.
Same results, the fresh Remington's were still 14" low at 200 yards. Speeds below measured 10 ft from muzzle.
Speer Nitrex Grand Slam 2992 fps (avg of last 2 rounds)
Fed. Premium Vital Shock 3021 fps (5 shot avg)
Remington Core lokt 2799 fps (5 shot avg)
The older Remington box claimed a speed of of 3060 fps at the muzzle. Obviously not.
I was more surprised by the difference in speed than I was the fact that Remington was below claimed speed. I expected all of them to be well below 3000. I will pick up a box of standard Federal ammo next and see where they clock in.
This may not be new info to you, but except for my .223 I rarely shoot factory rifle ammo, so it was a surprise to me!
