.223 loads for M77 target
Smee78..................I have just joined the forum and I hope that by now you have picked-up the MK II target rifle. Mine is of an older vintage also. It was not real picky about hand-loads, but most factory ammo did not shoot that well....10 shots were well over an inch @ 100 yds. Handloads, on the other hand, were a different story. 10 shots into a 1/2 " ragged hole is not uncommon at all. Unless the wind is really blowing, always under an inch @ 100 yards. The load I finally settled on, is a 52 grain flat base hollow point match bullet over 26 grains of W748. (any 50-53 grain bullet seems to shoot very well) Mine seems to shoot a little better once the barrel warms up a little
( 5 rounds will do it ) I have shot a few groups that were in the .2's and .3's.
The 2-stage trigger is great off the benches or in the field.
>> // As ALWAYS....NEVER just duplicate someone else's load....Use a good loading manual (I like Hornady's 8th edition) and work up a little at a time watching for pressure signs along the way. // >>>> I will try to attach pictures when I have more time...........
Dollar for Dollar, I still think the MK II target is one of the best values out there.............Hope this helps..................
I bought this rifle soon after they came out......it still shoots as good as it did when new. I am attaching some targets....the big one on the bottom left was ten shots with Winchester 55 FMJ factory loads. The other smaller targets were shot trying two or three different handloads (including the load I settled on)..............Don in SC