Range report on new model 12 fv

[Tarleton_Texan]

Well my rifle is a model 12 fv .223 1-9" twist barrel with a mueller apt on top. I am very pleased with the performance of the rifle so far. Two weeks ago I shot some black hills 75gr bthp and the best groups of the day were .485 at 100 yards and 1.08 at 200. Yesterday I shot at 300 yards and the best group was 1.764 and the next was 3.03, I had one that got away from me. This was done with 26 grains of varget and a 69 grain smk. I was also able to hit some clay pidgins and ring some steel. I am extremely impressed by this rifles performance so far and cant wait to go back and shoot at 300 and stat shooting at 400 and 500 yards. I am hooked!

[ellobo]

All sounds good. But, with a .223 600 yds may be disappointing.
Keep us posted.

El Lobo

[Tarleton_Texan]

I am anxious to see how it will shoot at that range but first I need to work on my wind reading skills.

[GaCop]

All sounds good. But, with a .223 600 yds may be disappointing.
Keep us posted.

El Lobo

+1 it can be done but it's not easy unless you have a slower twist for the 80 grain bullet or the Berger 75 grain VLDs.

[seanhagerty]

26 gr of Varget under a 69smk is a load I use in my 1X9 twist barrel. From the bench I have shot a 0.4" three shot group at 200 yds with this load. You can do ok at 600 yds with this, you just have to watch the wind A LOT!!!

If you can shoot the 69gr bullets, you ought to try hornadys 75 and the 77smk's. Your barrel may be able to stabilize them as well. 24gr of Varget under them and WOW! They will do better at 600yds than the 69'rs and should work with your twist. I was playing prone with mine yesterday and shot 0.380" five shot group at 100Yds using the 77 SMK's.

[dcloco]

Try using H4895 under the 69's. Of note, Hornady's 68 gr HPBT is utilizing the new AMP jacket - VERY nice profile now.

H4895 provides 3K fps with H4895 in a 26" barrel.

RL15 works rather well with 75 gr and heavier bullets....but need to watch temperature ranges.


As others have pointed out, 75 AMax and 77 gr HPBT's will more than likely stabilize in your 1:9 twist barrel.

[Tarleton_Texan]

I was really wanting to stick to varget because of its temperature stability, and not having to develop 4 loads for 4 seasons and here in Texas were liable to 3 of them in a week lol!
I am planning on trying the 75 grain A Max in this rifle as well hopefully it will like the load because the bullets are cheap and have a high bc, but it was recommended that the 69 smk was a good starting point so that's what I did. But I am always up for trying a new load.

[MrMajestic]

Like those before me stated, 75 grain A-Max in front of Varget or my favorite Vihtavuori N140. In Lapua cases with a match primer and 600 won't seem so far. My 16 with a 1in 9" loves them!

[Tarleton_Texan]

I have a question about brass, do I need lapua brass or is using Lake city stuff okay? Or is there another good brass brand that doesn't break the bank.

[GaCop]

I have a question about brass, do I need lapua brass or is using Lake city stuff okay? Or is there another good brass brand that doesn't break the bank.


Lapua brass is great though spendy. I personally like the quality of the Winchester brass I've been getting lately. I rank the brass from best to OK as Lapua, Winchester and RP.

I primarily use military brass for my M4gery but did try a few loads with Lake City 09 that shot well in my 223 Rem Savage. Brass prep is a bit more involved having to remove the primer crimp but with the Dillon swager, that's a quick and easy fix.

[Tarleton_Texan]

Well that helps thanks GaCop. I will find some Winchester brass because I am going to have a hard time paying .63 cents a piece for lapua brass right now. I am using F C brass right now and the more I read about reloading I find that hardly anybody uses that stuff.

[brimic]

I have a question about brass, do I need lapua brass or is using Lake city stuff okay? Or is there another good brass brand that doesn't break the bank.
Winchester. Plus you get a bit more case capacity with Winchester.

The 75gr AMAxs will get it done at 600 yards, but a 80gr SMK would still be better, though you might not have enough twist to stabilize them.