Dennis,
I have a Savage Model#10. The only difference between my 10 and your 12 is yours has 4" more barrel...twist rate being the same. I inquired about loads, to Berger bullets, and here's what Walter Berger sent me:
"Hi Tony,
It appears that you want to use the 55 grain target/varmint bullet and it is a good choice for wood chucks to 400 yards. Your 1-12 does afford you an opportunity to shoot a heavier bullet and the 60 grain bullet would be a somewhat better at 400 yards. Having shot a lot of wood chucks in Ohio with a 22-250 when I was growing up I can relate to your problem. There is no one bullet that is the best for all distances so you have a couple of choices. If most (+80%) of your shoots are true 400 yard shots then the 60 grain bullet would be the best choice. If (+80%) are from muzzle to 300 yards I would use the 52 or 55 grain target varmint bullet and give up a little on the 400 yard shots. Now there is another choice (and this may not be for you). Use the 52 grain varmint bullet for muzzle to 300 yards and the 60 grain target varmint bullet for the shoots beyond 300 yards. This would require a good scope with reliable elevation adjustments and have a zero for both bullets. This is the ultimate (my opinion) for reliable hits with your 22-250 and spectacular kills at all ranges from muzzle to 400 plus yards. Again this is not for every one. You have to know your equipment and understand how to use it. If this is not for you, use the 55 grain target varmint bullet from muzzle to 400 yards and it is a good choice. I have furnished you some load data for the 52-55 and 60 grain bullets. The two powders I used the most was IMR 4064 and H380. I no longer varmint hunt and some of the newer powders could be better. Your 22 inch barrel will result in approximately 88 fps slower than the velocities we list with a 26 inch barrel. All of the primers are good just use the one you are familiar with and develop your load data with it."
This may be of some help to you, Dennis...
