.223 load for a Savage FCP-K

ChromeArty

ChromeArty

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Hey Folks,

This will be my first nice rifle, and I am looking to make a nice load for it... anyone have this rifle? and a proven load?

I have some OK glass to put on it when it shows up... but will upgrade down the road... If you have this rifle and a scope that matches perfectly ... that could also be helpful.

I can't wait to begin my journey down the precision road!

Thanks you BPSPEED (My Gal's Bro) for making that journey possible :)

Look forward to learning from all you here in the Precision Rifles Forum ... as I am sure I will have many many more questions to come... hopefully for many years to come!
 
First BED the action and stock. Yes, it matters and ensures you extract the most of your new rig.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?743265-Why-Proper-Bedding-is-Important

One of the easiest bullets to work up with a Savage is a 69gr MK or 75gr hrn BTHP. Problem is availability of bullets. keep ogive just off the lands. This will still feed from the mag so OAL will fit the mag.

Varget, CCI 450, Win brass, quality dies, great scale (this is critical). See my article on how to work up and tune a load. Use hodgdon start and max load. Work up in 0.2gr increments, the tweak around best nodes.

Base - several options.

rings, I use the Burris Sig ZEE rings

I am partial to Sightron SIII or the SII Big Sky scopes.

If I can help, let me know...

Jerry
 
Mystic Precision said:
First BED the action and stock. Yes, it matters and ensures you extract the most of your new rig.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?743265-Why-Proper-Bedding-is-Important

One of the easiest bullets to work up with a Savage is a 69gr MK or 75gr hrn BTHP. Problem is availability of bullets. keep ogive just off the lands. This will still feed from the mag so OAL will fit the mag.

Varget, CCI 450, Win brass, quality dies, great scale (this is critical). See my article on how to work up and tune a load. Use hodgdon start and max load. Work up in 0.2gr increments, the tweak around best nodes.

Base - several options.

rings, I use the Burris Sig ZEE rings

I am partial to Sightron SIII or the SII Big Sky scopes.

If I can help, let me know...

Jerry
Click to expand...

Thanks so much Jerry!

I will bed the action for sure! I am good with my hands... do you recommend I just do it myself? or do professionally?

I have a set of Burris Sig Zee Ring on the way... but they are for the new hunting rifle and Nikon Monarch... I am just starting out in that field too.... I know, starting two knew disciplines at the same time is not that wise... but they are kind of cross training for one another. I bought a Vortex Crossfire and a set of Burris Zee (not signature) for a handi rifle off the EE a couple days ago for $215 shipped... So that will live on the Savage until I can afford good glass.... then the Handi Rifle can have it :)

Also... what is ogive? and OAL? .. .wait! Over All Length?

Sorry ... I am a precision and optics noob.... I am also a noob to things I have never heard of most likely.... ya think ya know a lot about guns... and then all of a sudden a door is opened :)

Cheers,

Trev
 
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Rifles are not homogenious, each will have a pref and you have to find it. As Jerry said start with 69 gr SMK (Sierra Match King) projectiles and Varget. I'd start with about 24.5 gr and start working up (Sierra lists 26.4 gr of Varget as max with 69 gr SMK's). Any once fired brass and Small Rifle primers will get you started. When your groups get under .75 MOA then you can start screwing with the premium brass and such.
 
If you are comfy doing the work, learning this most important skill will help you for all the rifles to come. It is not a particularly difficult process but as with most things, its the finesse that separates ok from great. Understand what the goals are will help to really focus how good/suitable your end result will be. If it doesn't work out, grind it out and start over. It doesn't have to be perfect the first go. Just make sure you use enough release agent so you can separate the action and stock.

There is plenty of load data on the internet. Reloading manuals are really 'bibles' to help you learn the steps, terms and some jargon. Get as many as you can afford. Old/used ones are just as good as new cause the steps don't change. Just reference new data for new lots of powder as these change. Understand what starting and max loads mean- follow the steps in my article and let the rifle tell you what it likes.

If you shoot with any degree of consistency, you will see the results very clearly on paper. Retest to confirm, then start burning powder.

Optics are very important but as long as they hold their zero and let you see with enough resolution to hit your target, spend the time watching the wind flags and mirage.

Good luck...

Jerry
 
redshooter said:
Rifles are not homogenious, each will have a pref and you have to find it. As Jerry said start with 69 gr SMK (Sierra Match King) projectiles and Varget. I'd start with about 24.5 gr and start working up (Sierra lists 26.4 gr of Varget as max with 69 gr SMK's). Any once fired brass and Small Rifle primers will get you started. When your groups get under .75 MOA then you can start screwing with the premium brass and such.
Click to expand...

thank you for the post!
 
Mystic Precision said:
If you are comfy doing the work, learning this most important skill will help you for all the rifles to come. It is not a particularly difficult process but as with most things, its the finesse that separates ok from great. Understand what the goals are will help to really focus how good/suitable your end result will be. If it doesn't work out, grind it out and start over. It doesn't have to be perfect the first go. Just make sure you use enough release agent so you can separate the action and stock.

There is plenty of load data on the internet. Reloading manuals are really 'bibles' to help you learn the steps, terms and some jargon. Get as many as you can afford. Old/used ones are just as good as new cause the steps don't change. Just reference new data for new lots of powder as these change. Understand what starting and max loads mean- follow the steps in my article and let the rifle tell you what it likes.

If you shoot with any degree of consistency, you will see the results very clearly on paper. Retest to confirm, then start burning powder.

Optics are very important but as long as they hold their zero and let you see with enough resolution to hit your target, spend the time watching the wind flags and mirage.

Good luck...

Jerry
Click to expand...

I have a Speer manual... have been using it for a couple years now... but just for handguns and mil surps. Look forward to making some nice match ammunition :)

I will watch many many videos of glass bedding before I start... and do the Handi Rifle and 10/22 before going at the Savage :)

Thank you so much for all your time and help,

Trev
 
I had great results with 77gr Sierra Match Kings, and 24.2 gr Varget, Federal GM205 primers. Brass came from thousands of once fired Federal American Eagle.
 
jpbaker said:
Im using 26gr of varget, but this may be a bit on the hot side. Make sure you work up....
This load with win brass, CCI BR primers, and 70gr berger, has gotten me under 1/4 MOA!

TKS
JPB
Click to expand...


Holy Crap that is good! I hope I can squeeze that kinda accuracy out of my FCP-K !! :)

Thank you so much for the info! much appreciated!
 
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