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QuoteReplyTopic: Truck gun update. Posted: 15 February 2020 at 21:35
I had kinda put my new truck gun on the back burner a while back.
If you remember I was looking for a CHEAP .223 to throw in the truck any time I was out scouting or anything else that had me out in the field. I ended up with a Walmart Savage Axis that I paid $269.00 for.
My AR blasting ammo shot a group about 1 1/2 inches. I was hoping for a lot better.
Today I took it to the range and had some Lake City surplus ammo I bought several years ago and a box of Hornady 55 grain V-Max factory ammo.
Today was the first day the weather has been decent for a few weeks so their was a lot of people at the range so I ended up only getting to shoot at the 50 yard line.
The Lake City shot several groups that were right at 1 inch.
The Hornady shot a lot better. It shot pretty consistant 1/2 in groups. I was happy with that. I'm thinking this should be 1 inch at 100.
I have a box of 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips that I'm going to load and try before buying V Max's and trying to replicate the factory loads.
I'm thinking it's showing some promise.
Wing master
I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.
I'd be ok with that. I don't know if you have ever handled a Savage Axis but I don't think I will ever worry too much about beating the stock up. it's a flimsey plastic pos. I really do hope it shoots that good though.
I have been thinking about bedding it though. Every time I have bedded an action into a stock it has helped accuracy. Plus, It should stiffen up the thin plastic.
If the weather is good this weekend I plan on taking it out and trying a few handloads.
Wing master
I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.
Wing....good post on new truck gun...my version of that truck gun of yours is a Ruger American in .223 Rem. Check out the specs on the stock and trigger of the Ruger.
I'll try the 50 grain Vmax too. The ones I have tried are factory loads. I plan on replicating them with my hand loads.
I was looking at the .223 bullets I have and found a full box of 55 grain Nosler Ballistic tips I forgot I had. I'll try them too. Probably before I buy some VMax's.
Wing master
I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.
It looks like your Ruger is very similar to the Axis. I had a hard time deciding between them.
I think your stock and trigger are probably a lot better than mine. In fact, If they aren't they would have to be really bad.
Robert MT sent me some information on how to clean up the trigger and I have thought about bedding the action into the stock. I am sure I can stiffen it up a little bit.
How accurate is your Ruger American?
Wing master
I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.
Wing....I have been using 55gr bullets in my Ruger American. Dogtown ones from Midway. Can't 'member bbl twist rate now. Never tried any lighter wts. Yet. When I get back home will look at records for accuracy. I have used for gophers at "close" (100yds +/-) ranges with good results. Like the gun/trigger.
The extra velocity of the 50 gr really makes for more 'smoke' on PD kills.
For abour 40 years I and many others used Hornady SX 50 grainers. These were made for 222/223/222mag velocities and were Super Explosive (SX). I still have a box or two of those oldies.
The one you are looking at seems really interesting.
Wing master
I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.
A few years back, I looked at the rifle at Bedford LGS. rifle was very nice, good quality. At that time they couldn't sell theem so they were on super sale. My plastic card was in my hand. Nice wood and a $335 price.
There was limited ammo available. But it is Cf and can be made wwith 223 brass; although because of the amount of case removed for the neck some inside reaming might be required.
My thoughts were: IN A RIFLE---almost a 22 Hornet, and my 222 could easily be loaded down to that level.
The thing has been out there about 10 years, no real following, might be a 5mm Remington.
Test barrel length: 22.75" rifle (higher velocity) and 5.0" pistol (lower velocity)
22 TCM case details
The .22 TCM or 22TCM (.22 Tuason Craig Micromagnum) is a proprietary bottle-necked cartridge created from a 5.56 NATO cartridge developed by custom gunsmith Fred Craig and Rock Island Armory (RIA) for semi-automatic pistols and the Rock Island M22 TCM bolt action rifle. Before the cartridge was commercialized, it was called the 22 Micro-Mag. Similar conceptually to other bottle-necked pistol cartridges such as the larger-caliber .357 SIG, the .22 TCM trades bullet mass for increased velocity and lowered recoil.[1]
Based on the 5.56×45mm NATO case and shortened so that the shoulder is at approximately the same length as a .38 Super cartridge, the .22 TCM is somewhat longer than the ubiquitous 9×19mm Parabellum and designed to be fired from a RIA line of weapons (which also included 9mm barrel swaps) fed by Para-Ordnance-style double-column .38 Super magazines. A sub-variant, the 22 TCM 9R, with a shorter, more deeply-seated bullet, is designed for use in Glock magazines limited to standard-length 9mm cartridges. Standard factory loads are 40-grain jacketed soft hollow point, 39-grain for "9R".
The .22 TCM 9R (right) uses a shorter bullet than the regular round (left).
seems the real advantage is in a 1911. But who would target shoot with it?? and who might hunt jack rabbits with it ??/ just to small a market I think.
I agree. What I see is a truck gun that can take a 17 round magazine and do well enough on varmints out to 300 yards. Ammo is about the same for rarity at this point as 223. Hoarders grabbed everything locally. I think if it was 10mm size or even .45 ACP combo it would take off a fair amount better. I do like a full size 1911 platform, double stacked, even better. 9mil....not so much. I think I'll just get the 1911 and maybe a cheap 223 and call it at that, but it sure is cool to see some are trying to fill niches still.
If you are looking for a cheap bolt action .223 I do recommend the Savage Axis. It also sounds like IBD would recommend the Ruger American.
They both are relativly cheap and relativly accurate. I do think I can get the Savage within an inch at 100 yards with handloads. Maybe I'll make that my goal for a backup rifle to take prairie dog hunting in June.
Wing master
I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.
You are correct both theSavage Axis and the Ruger American are good low end guns, reliable and accurate. We've bought them for the grand kids, 243 & 308. Topped with Bushnell 3x8x 32 scopes, they shoot 1" with factory. Triggers could be better (spring kits) but doable especially for the rough life of a 'truck gun'.
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