Savage model 12 Varmint(1in9"twist) .223 Recipes

[SgtRock04]

Hello i'm a newbie to your great site! Just purchased a Savage model 12 Varmint(BTCSS) in .223 1 in 9" twist. Any ideas what bullet weights & powders I should begin reloading/testing?

Just to give you a picture of what i'm doingbriefly)
Brass prep.
1.trim to length (all the same from manuals specs)
2.flash hole ream
3.all the same manufacturer's Brass
4.measure O.A.L. in chamber with comparator to lands,come back starting at 10-15 thousands
5. hand weigh all powders (digital scale) with rifle loads
6. will start to neck resize after first firing of brass(brass specifically used in one rifle only)

I used to shoot in 5 rnd groups but went to 3 rounds to save $$,any other ideas or recommendations? SgtRock04

 

[atblis]

1 in 9" is good for up to ~69 gr. I'd try the 69 gr Sierra Match Kings. I use H335 because it meters very well, and works. Plenty of other powders that are great. Somebody will mention Varget I am sure. If you're varminting rather than paper punching, maybe try a lighter more explosive bullet.

It arguably isn't necessary to weigh every charge provided you are using a good metering powder and a good powder measure. Of course, verify this to be true before heading down that path.

http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

 

[SgtRock04]

Thanks for that atblis, yes just paper punching for now. SgtRock04

 

[jem375]

I'm reloading for a Remington 700 and an AR with 60 gr. Hornady V-Max and Ramshot Tac for powder, very accurate in both... also will try H335 when the weather warms up a little.. Will use Varget with heavier bullets... both rifles are 1-9 twist..

 

[SgtRock04]

very accurate in both

Just curious but,what do you consider very accurate? in inches"?

 

[04JRB]

I have basically the same rifle (12fv) in .223. these are my current loads:

Accuracy & range: 69gr Sierra MK with 23.5gr of H335 and CCI SR standard primer. sub MOA for me.

For Dogtown : 55gr vmax with 24.5gr of H335 and CCI SR standard primers. does well at the range too.

 

[04JRB]

Just curious but,what do you consider very accurate? in inches"?

M.O.A. = roughly 1" @ 100yds, I dont consider anything very accurate unless I can fire a 5 shot group within that 1".

 

[SgtRock04]

Hey 04JRB, Thanks for sharing your recipes,they sound very interesting. I'll try to get SMK's 69gr,but, nobody has them so far,might have to go to Buffalo to pick up some.I've done some long range sniping on a 1000yd range(military/civilians allowed with range officer) so i'm familiar with M.O.A., I was really asking the previous person what they considered "very accurate".I'm heading to our indoor range this afternoon so do some load testing so, i'll let you know if there any recipes that are keepers. Thanks, SgtRock04

 

[DUCKNDAWG]

I run 55 gr. sierra blitzkings with 26 gr. varget 5 shot group measured .191!!!! at 100 yards.

 

[nastynatesfish]

congrats on the savage purchase. i love the guns.
in my 223 i shoot 50 and 55 gr v max infront of 23.5grs reloader 10x and it gives me awesome accuracy and speed about 3500. i can shoot zeroed at 100 and still hold dead on at 300yrds.
also with the savage you can load your rounds deeper in the throat. i leave all mine touching the lands.
take a spent case and trim it to length. take a 1/4'' drill bit and drill out the primer pocket. get yourself a piece of brass rod that fits the hole. load a bullet only into the case and drop it into the chamber, use the brass to make sure the case is seated all the way forward then put the rod into the hole in the case and easily push the bullet out till it stops. that will give you to the lands without having to keep re seating. you can back it of the lands from there or like i did and leave it touching.

 

[SgtRock04]

You guys (Duckndawg,Nastynatesfish) are too kind with all the info your releasing! I've been using the Hornady/Stoneypoint bullet comparator/chamber measuring system.This is quite slick & basically measures each gun's chamber length to the lands.You simply take that measurement & subtract 5,10,15 thousands off lands to start experimenting with loads/accuracy.I'm really excited to begin load development for this beauty! I'll let you guys know how it turns out! Thanks Again, SgtRock04

 

[jem375]

Just curious but,what do you consider very accurate? in inches"?

I consider anything sub-moa accurate at 100 yards, and both rifles will do that with TAC and Hornady V-Max's. Actially 1 inch is also accurate enough for me with my reloads, good enough for coyotes anyway...

 

[SgtRock04]

jem375, i'm adding your name to the above post thanking all you guys for sharing! Thanks, SgtRock04

 

[Meta]

24.5 grains of H335 under a Nosler 55 grain Ballistic Tip. That load works fantastic in both my Savage 223 and my AR.