Savage long range reloading in .223

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I have a Savage model 12 VLP chambered in .223 with a 1:9 twist and a 26" bbl. I've done some reloading with it and had some good success with it, but I am looking to extend that success out to 300 yards.
My question is what bullet weight do I use and what type of powder and how much. Currently I use a 60gr v-max with 25gr H335. I have seen so many different recipes for the AR15 but very few for the Savage 12VLP for long range.
I'd like some paper punching rounds and some varmint bullets, both to be accurate out to 300. Can I make a compromise and use the same one, or would it be better to just go with something like a 75 gr A-max for paper and a 55gr v-max for varmints.
Thanks.
 
In mine I only use 75 grain Amax's for superb accuracy well beyond 300 meters. My recipe is: 23.5 grains of Benchmark with a CCI BR-4 primer or 25 grains of Varget with the same primer. The Varget load is slightly more accurate and a bit faster (2904fps) out of my rifle.

As in any reloading adventure, use my data with caution and start low and work up in your rifle.

Troutseeker
 
I have a savage 12 BVSS (1 in 9 twist) and have had pretty good luck using the 77gr Sierra HPBT with 22.5 gr of H335 and a winchester primer. That load data is right out of the Hodgdon website. Check it out if you havent already.

Steve
 
My Savage 12LRVP 223 likes 69 grain Nosler Custom Competition. At 200 yards 3 shot group is .24" I tried Varget, W-748 and found a load of 23.5 grains of IMR 4064 works slick, taken from Hodgdon web site.
start at 22.5 and work up to 24C (C means compressed) using the ladder test, when you get a cluster, hitting the same hole, record the weights. Load three of each, that formed the cluster and see how they group. Thats how I found what worked for this gun.
This gun has hit a 900 yard target as well! Same bullet, same load.
 
KDX, I love the gun its just what the doctor ordered. The only downside is the thickness and the length of the bolt handle plus the width of the gun, it makes it too thick to fit in a regular gun case. You'll need to get an extra thick gun case, something over 5" thick should do.

I have some 50gr. Barnes Varmint Grenades to load up too. Looking forward to the spring to see what kind of damage I can inflict upon some hogs.
 
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the best load that works in my rem 700p LTR is 68grain HPBT over 21.5 garins of
WC-735.
it shoots small clover leafs at 100 and does very nicely at 300M out of my gun.
 
If you are shooting past 300 yards you might want to look at some of the heavier Vmax bullets. I'm not sure what is efficient or acceptable to use on hogs as I've never shot any.
 
tigrr said:
My Savage 12LRVP 223 likes 69 grain Nosler Custom Competition. At 200 yards 3 shot group is .24" I tried Varget, W-748 and found a load of 23.5 grains of IMR 4064 works slick, taken from Hodgdon web site.
start at 22.5 and work up to 24C (C means compressed) using the ladder test, when you get a cluster, hitting the same hole, record the weights. Load three of each, that formed the cluster and see how they group. Thats how I found what worked for this gun.
This gun has hit a 900 yard target as well! Same bullet, same load.
Click to expand...

I'm loading those in my Tikka .223 also. Any on game performance to report?
 
The 69g Match king or the 70g Burger VLD and about 25 grains of Varget and Federal 205match primers work great for long range. They don't have the "smack" factor like the lighter V-max on close range gophers.
 
200 yard group

See above for recipe. It has shot very nice groups, but no pics.
This is a pic of a 200 yard group. Flyer was the cold bore shot.
200yd.jpg


This is a group of a 500 yard target. 1st shot didn't see it, so up 1 milldot. second shot high above orange dot, seen it, back to original dot, 2" away from first shot. Savage 12LRPV 223
IMG_0102.jpg
 
75 amax over a charge of varget and CCI small rifle mag primers. R15 and standard primers. If the rifle doesn't want to shoot the 75 amax, try some Berger 75 VLD's over the same powders.
 
im using sierra 69 grain matchkings, over 26 grains of releoader 17 i think (havent reloaded all winter) on a remington small rifle benchrest primer in hornady brass. it is getting me 5 rounds inside a dime at 100 yards. havent tested at 200 yet. once the snow melts and it gets warmer il let you know how it is at 200.
 
Shot these yesterday (Feb 08)

Hornady 68 Gr HPBT
Cases: Remington, once fired, trimmed to 1.750 +/- 0.002, Neck Sized
Primer: CCI SM BR
Powder: VV N-140
Charge: 23.3 Gr

Top left is lands -0.070
Top middle is lands - 0.060
Top right is lands -0.040
Middle left is lands -0.020
middle right is lands -0.010

The charge weight seems optimal, I was playing with the seating depth to try and tighten it up. It was really windy so I'll need to try again another day. I've shot this load into about 0.5" at 200 yards, have not tried 300....YET!

Feb08-68hpbt.jpg
 
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