Found a good load for 223

[capthook]

Hello all...

I've been fussing with find "the" load for use in my out-of-the-box Savage 12FVSS chambered in 223. Tried 50, 55 and 75 grain bullets from several different manufacturers along with various powders and did get some good results. A good friend passed along a really good load recipe with the Hornady 60 gr. Vmax with 27.5 grains of H380 and a comparator length of 3.000 (in my Savage that is ~ 0.010 off the lands). The first three rounds grouped at 0.18 inches at 100 yards on a day with a light quartering wind. Three more sets of three all came in at or below 0.20 inches. Moved the target out to 200 yards and got consistent 0.25 inch groups. Blew my mind!!!

Crono'd one group of 3 shots and got an average of 3173 FPS with a SD of 43 FPS. This variance surprised me but did not seem to affect accuracy.

All powder was hand measured with seating done on a Dillon 650XL press with Redding competition seating dies. All rounds were tested for concentricity and most came in at or under 0.002 and the maximum concentricity was 0.004. I sorted and test fired the bullets based on concentricity values but at these low levels there was no noticeable difference in group size. I attribute these low concentricity results to good case preparation practice and to the Redding seating die.

I think this combo is the ticket for my rifle - the right combination of rifle, bullets, powder to fully stabilize the 60 grain bullets downrange...

For you Savage shooters, I predict if you try this load you will get similar results. Others may have to alter seating depth to match their rifles chamber configuration.

Anyone else work up a good combination for 223?

Best regards

Capthook

[Dick284]

With groups like that you could take on guys with totally custom rigs at a benchrest competition.
I think there is just such a match at Homestead on the Aug 23rd weekend, why not give it a try.

And a few pictures of the groups would be nice to see too.

[catnthehat]

That's just the ticket for a varmint rig.
If you really want to test the gun now, five five shot groups and average them to get a decent evaluation of just how good it is....
Cat

[wapiti11]

Capthook;
I have a Savage .223 model 16 Weatherwarrior and found that it would not shoot lite bullets because the twist in the barrel was designed for the 70 gr bullet. So I am happy to see that you have had success with a 60 grainer. To solve my problem I had my .223 rebarreled to stablize 50 and 55gr bullets
as I have a life time supply of lighter bullets.
wapiti11

[Cappy]

While not as tight as the groups you are getting my Savage 12FV loves the
69gr Nosler Custom Comp over 25.8gr of Varget. 60gr V-max's are a close second and with some tweaking I'm sure I could get them to tighten up some more.

[Homesteader]

Those are outstanding groups. I had a custom 700 in .223 that kept em right in at 1/4" with 5 shot groups, but as usuall I foolishy sold it. Have fun with your tackdriver.