Rifle Ammo question?

[Rowski]

Has anybody used the Remington Express Accelerator 55 grain bullets in a 30-06 or other similar rifle? From what I understand it is a necked down shell with a sabot to fit it into the 30-06 barrel. The ballistics look pretty nice for longer range shotting. I plan on using this more for varmit hunting at longer ranges and long range target shooting. My .22 mag with Remington V-Max work great at 50 to 100 yards but after that looses its flight /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif.

Any opinions?

 

[fishman]

Some people swear by them and others . . . well you know the old saw /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Like any other ammo it depends mostly on the quality of the rifle the ammo is fired in, the scope that's on it, and the person pulling the trigger.

The best thing would be to test them in your individual rifle. A box is pretty cheap. They will likely shoot to a different point of aim than your 150 or 180 grain bullets and have a different trajectory. If you change your scope settings, I find it useful to record the relevant settings for a particular ammo, so that they can easily be changed back and forth. If you have a good quality scope this should not be a problem.

It's definitely less expensive to go this route rather than buying a new rifle, but where's the fun in that? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RanchMan]

Rowski -

You never know, they may work out O.K. - just don't get your hopes up too high.

Rifles rarely shoot a wide range of bullet weights accurately (I've yet to see any rifle "do it all.") They tend to be "happy" with a few weights of bullets within what is commonly offered in the cartridge - and rifle designers know this. They usually match the twist rate of the barrel to the projectile weight they believe will most commonly be put through the gun. (That's why a .30-06 that can shoot sub MOA groups all day long with 180gr. bullets will probably print 110gr. bullets all over the place - and may even keyhole a few.)

My personal belief is that the ammo you speak of was really designed for 1) people who may want to go after "secondary" game they may come across while hunting their "primary" quarry (e.g. not carry 2 rifles), and/or 2) for people who can not or choose not to purchase a second rifle and want/need to "make" their .30-06 "work" for different hunting situations.

That being said, I'll concur with Fishman in that you ought to buy a box and put them down range to see if they will meet your expectations. It may work out for your needs - which would be great, but just don't expect the same accuracy that you would get to a cartridge designed around a .22 caliber bullet - there ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

 

[Rowski]

Thanks Fishman and ranchman.

I ordered a box. The box will run about $22. I'll go to a range and shoot and see what my grouping is like. I never thought about having to change the scope setting but it most certianly makes sense. The gun is is an Ithaca (sp?) 30-06 bolt action not sure of the model # gun isn't handy right at this moment. I use 150 grain for deer hunting. Also I don't shot the gun an a lot if it sees a box of ammo a year that is a lot.

So how do you know what ammo type is fit for your rifle? Trial and error?

I know my Anschutz .22 mag with cheap hollow point bullets was grouping in a 6" square at 50 yards. But trying some Remington Premier V-Max shells and my groupng was about an 1" square. Of couse this was in a gun vise at a range and not in the bush /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

I'll let you know how the Accelorator works.

Thanks

 

[RanchMan]

No problem. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

<font color="blue">So how do you know what ammo type is fit for your rifle? Trial and error? </font>

Yep - that's pretty much it. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Some times the mfg. will recommend a particular ammo to use, but that doesn't mean it will necessarily be the absolute best ammo to shoot for accuracy. When one gets in to reloading, it only gets worse because there are so many variables you can change - any of which can make a dramatic effect on accuracy. (e.g. powder weight, powder type/brand, primer type, primer brand, case brand, case weight, bullet weight, bullet shape, bullet brand, seating depth, etc. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

It almost becomes an "art" instead of a science regarding picking the right load - and what is outstanding in "gun X" may shoot terribly in "gun Y" even if they are the same brand/cartridge/model. 'Course there's a whole series of variables to mess with when it comes to your rifle too that make a difference (e.g. bedding, scope mount, bolt facing, throat erosion, rifling, crown, trigger, etc.)

And just because something is new doesn't mean it will shoot well. I have a 6.5x55 Sweedish Mauser I sporterized (cut/refinished the stock, drilled/tapped/mounted scope, reblued, etc.) that was made in 1912 that consistently shoots 1" or less groups @ 100 yards. Pretty good for a rifle I invested a total of about $150 (including scope) in.

<font color="blue">I know my Anschutz .22 mag with cheap hollow point bullets was grouping in a 6" square at 50 yards. But trying some Remington Premier V-Max shells and my groupng was about an 1" square. </font>

Hmmm. Something sounds out of wack. Anschutz is a premier mfg. and I'm completely taken back it would shoot 6" with anything you throw down range - even with the cheapest of ammo. 1" is better, but it shouldn't take more than a bench rest for you to shoot that - even with the cheapie stuff. Are you using a scope? I'd look in to see if you have a problem somewhere in the mix - maybe even with the scope itself (again, if you have one). Anschutz makes a great rifle - it should be shooting better than you describe.

Good luck with both the .30-06 and the .22 mag. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Will_C]

Rowski; Do you have a friend that reloads? I ask this because it would be possible to load some 110 or 125 grain bullets for whatever critters that you are shooting. You stand a much better chance of finding accuracy that way, the sabots have a reputation for not being as accurate as you need in a varmint application.
Glad to hear about your Ithaca. They are a real sleeper rifle, imported in the 1970's by Ithaca from Sako/Tikka. I have one in .25-06, model LSA-65.
Will.

 

[DaveNH]

<font color="blue"> Sabots </font>

I tried a bunch of these last year.
Best I could get was about 2" at 75 yards.
/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif <font color="blue"> </font>

 

[dmccarty]

Rowski,

If you are going to be doing a lot of shooting then you really
should start reloading. You will get more rounds for the
dollar spent, course that does not include your time, and you
will get the rounds that work for your particular rifle.

30-06 is a good, accurate round. If you want to do long
rangle shooting out to 1000 yards its a good cartridge. But
it depends on what you consider long range and how much
accuracy you require. One "problem" with the 30-06 is that
it will be more expensive to shoot than say a .223 just
because the brass is larger, more money, the 30-06 takes
more powder, which is more money, and the bullets are
heavier which of course is more money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif But the 30-06
can pretty much take all North American game animals. Sure
can't say that for the .223.

I know pretty much diddley about varmit hunting. My dad
gets at least one magazine that is all about varmit hunting. I
read an issue or two and these guys are hard core. Heavy
bench rifles, special shooting benches, military surplus range
finding optics, wildcat rounds, etc.

So what kinda varmits are you going to hunt? I can ask my
dad about the magazine/organization if you are interested.

Later,
Dan

 

[looch]

I'm looking for what I refer to as a "utility" rifle. Something that can be grabbed in a hurry to dispatch racoons, stray cats, and possibly even the odd coyorte.

I was originally thinking about a 22mag - but I wouldn't shoot a canine-sized animal with that. I was also thinking of a varmint cartridge (.25-20, .220, .223) but that would be a little large for use around the home (3.5 acres in the country).

I was resigning to the fact that I need 2 - until this thread was started. That 30-06 light load might be just the ticket.

 

[Hoeman00]

I've shot boxes of the 06 accelerators and normally they shoot good except once in a while I'd get a 'flyer'.
It will work for occasional use and I found boxes at gun shows and small gun stores for less than $10/box.
The brass is standard 06 brass so u can reload w/ normal bullets.
Now I have a Ruger SS bull barrel .22-250 w/ 6-24 Burris scope and 55 grn. V-max loads.
I regularly kill ground hogs past 350 yds. w/ it.