VLP .223 twist rate option

[Texas Solo]

I'm looking at another rifle, the Savage VLP DBM in .223. Problem is 1/7 or 1/9 twist?

I currently shoot 80gr Bergers in a .223 Wylde chamber through a Shilen barrel on my model #10. It's my understanding the Wylde chamber is absolutely necessary to shoot the long 80 grainers due to it's longer throat, and because they can't be loaded short enough for a .223Rem chamber. I currently load to the lands and there's no way the bolt would close on a .223Rem chamber.

So I'm wondering why Savage even offers the VLP in a 1/7 with a .223Rem chamber? I know the 69gr bullets shoot very well from a 1/9 twist. Would a 1/7 be any advantage over the 1/9 with 69gr bullets? Wouldn't the 1/7 also prohibit shooting much of anything under 69gr?

Please skool me.

[davemuzz]

Faster won't hurt you.

[Texas Solo]

Faster won't hurt you.

OK, but can an 80gr bullet be safely loaded short enough to accommodate a .223Rem chamber?
If not, then you're saying that the 1/7 would be OK with the lighter 69 > 75 grain bullets, correct?

[davemuzz]

The short answer is yes. OTOH, sometimes your OAL may be limited by your magazine length. But if your shooting it single shot, then the 80gr. bullets can be loaded (by following safe loading published load data) and shot without a problem. Then of course....the next question is.....will your rifle like that bullet and that load? That's when the handloader begins to try different bullets and powders.

Dave

PS: http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?27707-Need-opinions-on-twist-rate-for-heavy-224-bullets&p=200533#post200533 Don't you really know your answer to this already????

[Texas Solo]

PS: http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?27707-Need-opinions-on-twist-rate-for-heavy-224-bullets&p=200533#post200533 Don't you really know your answer to this already????

Actually, no. You'll notice that in my reply to that thread, I said I was using a WYLDE chamber in my rifle. The new rifle I'm looking at is only available in .223Rem. Thus my questions about running an 80gr in the .223Rem.
I think I'll just order the rifle in the 1/7 twist and hope it will run the 80gr bullet in the 223Rem chamber, both safely and accurately. If not, I can still go with 69, 75 or 77gr. I wasn't sure about the 1/7 being too fast for a 69, but evidently it will be fine.

Thanks for the reply.

PS...I am single loading for F/TR

[granite1]

I think you will have your best results with the 75-77gr bullets. You will need to (as I'm sure you know) measure and find out how long the throat is to see if you can make good use of the 80gr bullets.

[StandingTall]

I am shooting 73gr Berger BTHP from my 1/9 Savage 12 BVSS with great success. Although if you plan to shoot at > 600 yds, the 1/7 twist would be the way to go.

I've also seen that some shooters with a 1/9 twist use Hornady 75gr A-MAX.

[Rifleshooter308]

I ended up ordering the 1-8 Wylde MgGowen. In the mean time I put on a 1-9 stock Savage .223 barrel I to of off a donation I had laying around. It started at 26" but I cut it down to 20" and recur owned it. I shot it last night for the first time. The 77g SMK made tiny groups. The 80g Hornady A-Max also shot very well and made perfect round holes in the paper at 100. I was amazed and very happy with how this stock, cut down barrel shot the bug bullets. Loaded in LC brass with 25g of Power Pro 2000 MR seated to 2.450. Alliant manual says 2800 FPS but I have not chonoed it yet. No pressure signs. I think you'll be fine with the .223 chamber.