69gr Sierra MK in Target mini

two 70 · November 12, 2008, 10:14 PM

New Target mini ready for reloads. Would like to work up a load with 69 gr Sierra MK's using Varget. Info found browsing suggests 24 to 26 grains. Biggest concern is whether I will encounter feeding problems as I don't think this bullet has a cannelure. Anybody had any experience with this load?

K Bob · November 12, 2008, 10:37 PM

25.0 grs. of varget shoots well in my two rifles( Savage bolt actions),and no that bullet has no cannelure.I'm not sure but I would think that you need a crimp on ammo shot in a semi auto.

DIXIEDOG · November 12, 2008, 11:08 PM

What is the twist on that Mini? Will it stabilize 69 gr bullets?

two 70 · November 13, 2008, 02:40 PM

1:9 20" bull barrel. Shoots 75gr Hornady TAP very well so expect only better performance from the 69 match.

DIXIEDOG · November 13, 2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

1:9 20" bull barrel. Shoots 75gr Hornady TAP very well so expect only better performance from the 69 match.

Didn't know they had that fast of a twist. In my AR a 24.5 gr load of Varget seems to be the sweet spot, most other shooters I talk to seem to use between 24-25 grs of Varget as well.

two 70 · November 13, 2008, 07:34 PM

Sounds like a plan. Just ordered Lee's factory crimp tool to eliminate any possibility of set back with the 69's. Final coat of finish goes on reloading bench tonight so hopefully will be turning out loads soon. Will start with 24.5. Thanks for the response.

wpcexpert · November 13, 2008, 08:15 PM

My Target Mini likes Benchmark. Great accuracy without touching the dampener. But I'm using 50gr V-max. Looking to start up some more penetrating loads though. Maybe that new tipped Bear Claw.

two 70 · November 13, 2008, 08:53 PM

I played with the barrel dampener quite a bit during break in and after a few hundred rounds settled on four turns in. Seems to shoot almost everything in the bull especially 55 VMax but the 75 gr TAP prints almost the same holes @100yds. Best 400 yd and plus groups were with the 75's so I figure to split the difference with the match kings, use them exclusively and fine tune from there. The one thing I have discovered is that my target mini shoots much better than I do.

wpcexpert · November 13, 2008, 08:59 PM

It starts to look funny when it get aft of the barrel. I started playing with it. I just haven't had the time lately. I ruined a good load. Very first load was under half inch. Then started playing other loads and the barrel. Either the new can of powder (different batch) or something, but I can't get it back. I've just settled with .75 at 100. I'm going to make the time for it.

two 70 · November 13, 2008, 09:51 PM

I started with 50 and 55 gr TAP loads and a couple boxes of American Eagle 55's. Initial groups hovered around an inch ( once in a while) but cleaning seemed necessary after every 10 or so shots. Starting barrel damp was 1 1/2, then tried 2 1/2 with not much change. Could not group 60gr Federal soft points. When I tried the 75gr TAP results were less than impressive. Took the dampener completely off and lo and behold I had a mini 14 with minute of barn door accuracy. Cleaned and replaced the anchor, turned it in four revs and started from scatch with a pretty well broken in barrel and was more than happy with the results. Have a few 3 shot groups under a dime and several five shot targets can be covered with a quarter. Seem to get the same results with the 55 VMax and the 75 TAP, just a minor difference in POI @100yds. Cleaning still seems critical after a box or so but my most impressive results are cold barrel groups. One shot one day, same shot the next etc. These groups are really impressive and since this little cannon is for varmint control on the chicken ranch that first shot is the one that counts.

November 12, 2008, 10:14 PM	#1
two 70 Member Join Date: July 27, 2008 Location: Extreme NE Wa Posts: 54	69gr Sierra MK in Target mini New Target mini ready for reloads. Would like to work up a load with 69 gr Sierra MK's using Varget. Info found browsing suggests 24 to 26 grains. Biggest concern is whether I will encounter feeding problems as I don't think this bullet has a cannelure. Anybody had any experience with this load?

November 13, 2008, 08:15 PM	#7
wpcexpert Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 791	My Target Mini likes Benchmark. Great accuracy without touching the dampener. But I'm using 50gr V-max. Looking to start up some more penetrating loads though. Maybe that new tipped Bear Claw. __________________ When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil. - Thomas Jefferson

November 13, 2008, 08:59 PM	#9
wpcexpert Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 791	It starts to look funny when it get aft of the barrel. I started playing with it. I just haven't had the time lately. I ruined a good load. Very first load was under half inch. Then started playing other loads and the barrel. Either the new can of powder (different batch) or something, but I can't get it back. I've just settled with .75 at 100. I'm going to make the time for it. __________________ When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil. - Thomas Jefferson

November 12, 2008, 10:37 PM	#2
K Bob Member Join Date: October 16, 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 18	25.0 grs. of varget shoots well in my two rifles( Savage bolt actions),and no that bullet has no cannelure.I'm not sure but I would think that you need a crimp on ammo shot in a semi auto.

November 12, 2008, 11:08 PM	#3
DIXIEDOG Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 265	What is the twist on that Mini? Will it stabilize 69 gr bullets?

November 13, 2008, 02:40 PM	#4
two 70 Member Join Date: July 27, 2008 Location: Extreme NE Wa Posts: 54	1:9 20" bull barrel. Shoots 75gr Hornady TAP very well so expect only better performance from the 69 match.

November 13, 2008, 07:34 PM	#6
two 70 Member Join Date: July 27, 2008 Location: Extreme NE Wa Posts: 54	Sounds like a plan. Just ordered Lee's factory crimp tool to eliminate any possibility of set back with the 69's. Final coat of finish goes on reloading bench tonight so hopefully will be turning out loads soon. Will start with 24.5. Thanks for the response.

November 13, 2008, 08:53 PM	#8
two 70 Member Join Date: July 27, 2008 Location: Extreme NE Wa Posts: 54	I played with the barrel dampener quite a bit during break in and after a few hundred rounds settled on four turns in. Seems to shoot almost everything in the bull especially 55 VMax but the 75 gr TAP prints almost the same holes @100yds. Best 400 yd and plus groups were with the 75's so I figure to split the difference with the match kings, use them exclusively and fine tune from there. The one thing I have discovered is that my target mini shoots much better than I do.

November 13, 2008, 09:51 PM	#10
two 70 Member Join Date: July 27, 2008 Location: Extreme NE Wa Posts: 54	I started with 50 and 55 gr TAP loads and a couple boxes of American Eagle 55's. Initial groups hovered around an inch ( once in a while) but cleaning seemed necessary after every 10 or so shots. Starting barrel damp was 1 1/2, then tried 2 1/2 with not much change. Could not group 60gr Federal soft points. When I tried the 75gr TAP results were less than impressive. Took the dampener completely off and lo and behold I had a mini 14 with minute of barn door accuracy. Cleaned and replaced the anchor, turned it in four revs and started from scatch with a pretty well broken in barrel and was more than happy with the results. Have a few 3 shot groups under a dime and several five shot targets can be covered with a quarter. Seem to get the same results with the 55 VMax and the 75 TAP, just a minor difference in POI @100yds. Cleaning still seems critical after a box or so but my most impressive results are cold barrel groups. One shot one day, same shot the next etc. These groups are really impressive and since this little cannon is for varmint control on the chicken ranch that first shot is the one that counts.