What size group possible with factory 12FV .223

[WhitBri]

I've started reloading and love it. I have a stock 12FV in .223, I switched out the stock for a choate but the barrel if factory. What kind of groups should I expect. I guess what I'm thinking is I'm getting what I feel are great groups out of it. under .5 inch with every group some as low as .26 but that was only with one five shot group so might be luck. My question is what are other people getting for groups on a regular basis with their loads, not just a single occurance. I don't want to set my expectations too high and spend a lot of money experimenting with loads when I should be saving it for a new barrel/ rifle/ etc.

[Dirk]

If those are 100 yard groups with the factory barrel, I wouldn't change a thing until that barrel is worn out! ;)

[Uncle Jack]

I agree with Dirk. The only thing I would do is closely check the bedding, crank that action down into the stock and just shoot it. You say that you are just starting to reload. What loads are you using now? What bullets and what powder? You may want to try adjusting the seating depth a bit.

Consider yourself lucky. Just shoot it and then shoot it somemore. You will soon know if those -.500 groups are luck or not.

[tammons]

My factory barreled 223 would shoot between .35-.25 all day long.

If you were at an indoor range you could probably tighten it up a bit.

Spend a lot of money and a bit more.

If your rilfe is shooting .25" groups outdoors, I would not touch it.

[basshusker]

Mine will shoot in the teens with the 55 Nosler BTs and Sierra 69s. Still working on some heavies. Got them around .5 consistently (right at the 1:9 twist limit) and I am getting closer. I'll shoot the 75 Hornady HPBTs pushed by 8208 and RL15 this weekend. Email me if you want some handy stuff on an excel spreadsheet.
Justin
jjkuchar@gmail.com

By the way guys 8208 meters great!

[ctrout]

The first group I shot with the preferred load in my rifle was a .200". Wit that load, I regularly shoot .3-.4 from the bench outdoors with the normal Southern Idaho wind. I still turn in the occasional .2 so I would be willing to bet that this gun will do .200 all day under perfect conditions. I don't have my load data with me but the bullet is a 52gr sierra HP.

[Specter65]

Although my rifle will typically shoot it's preferred bullet, the 60gr vmax, to .25moa, on a calm day when I can do my part it has produced several one hole groups with all bullets virtually on the same POI.

[WhitBri]

What are you shooting behind the 60gr vmaxes if you don't mind sharing.

[Specter65]

The 60gr Vmax is over 24.5gr Varget in a Winchester case and CCI400 primer. It is a flat base bullet and is great out to about 200-300 yards.

[mountbkr]

You guys should feel bad making us drool like that over your small groups, post some pics so we can all enjoy.

[82boy]

I found that the Factory 223 rifles shoot great. I have seen many that shoot 5 shot 100 yard groups in the .2 area. I did a article on the model 10 precision carbine in 223, and I feel this gun has a lot of potential, if placed into a better stock. This is a couple of groups from the review.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/IMG_0081.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/IMG_0080.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/IMG_0082.jpg

[kelbro]

Mine (at 100 yds.) consistently shot under .5" with a couple of different loads and shot ~.25" enough to know that it wasn't just a fluke. Factory stock, free-floated but not bedded, and a simple benchrest setup. Gotta love those 'ugly' Savages.

[Smokey262]

82boy, what is complength?

[Specter65]

I would think it's the length using a comparator.

[Junfan]

My factory .223 barrel off my 12FV will consistently shoot groups similar to the ones posted above. I would leave things alone, wishing I took my own advice.

[82boy]

I would think it's the length using a comparator.


Yes, that is correct.

[sharpshooter]

All you guys that claim that "my gun will shoot consistantly in the 2's and 3's" need to post a 5 bull target with 5-5 shot groups with none measuring over .4".
Shooting 3 shot groups don't count, and shooting an occasional screamer doesn't mean your gun is capable of it at any time.
It's harder than it sounds, guys... :o

[Woodser]

With a properly broken-in Savage varmit rifle in 223, it is frequently the shooter's ability and limitations that determines minimum groups size, and not the rifle.

I agree with SS: 5 or 10 shots are the repeatability indicator, not 3, in a varmit rifle. If shooting 3 in 0.15" and 5 in 0.5", you are shooting 1/2" groups.

[savageboy]

"your shooting 0.5" groups" that is closer to what a factory Savage is- a 1/2 MOA rifle consistantly- and .4's and .3's every once in awhile- or if you allow yourself a one flyer out of a 5 shot group. Thats pretty darn good for an under $500 rifle.

[WhitBri]

I agree with the posts above that 5 shot groups are the measure, and that you can't show off that one .2 group you shot and claim your gun shoots .2, luck does happen. Like I tell people if your gun shoots .2s with factory barrell and stock then you should be competing with it. I was just asking what other people have seen from their rifles that have shot and reloaded more with it than I. Mine shoots .5 or slightly under consistently with some more rare groups in the .3 high .2s, but then again I don't normally shoot tons of groups with the same load. I may shoot more with the new coyote load I worked up as it looks to be a winner, 60 vmax with 27gr of varget behind which is at the max so work up to it. My thought on my rifle is to instead of spending tons of money on componets to try and get a .5 rifle to shoot .2 is pointless to try, instead save money for new stock, glass, barrell, etc. My biggest changes to mine have been a choate stock and finally some good glass nikon monarch 2.5-10. I think a good high mag scope would tighten my groups some even, and more trigger time for myself wouldn't hurt either