Model 10 .223 (1/4 MOA Load Development)

[Yankee]

No. Problem in my rifle, no flat primer,, no E Swip,,,primer pockets good,,,, 25.0 got 2730m.v. same accuracy.
Tac is amazing powder.

There just happened to be a pound of TAC on the shelf of my local gun shop. About to cook up some loads, will post results most likely Sunday.


Great discussion.

I bought a Model 12 .223 VLP DBM with the 26" 1:7 twist barrel for my 15 year old son to learn to shoot FTR.

With 80 gr A-Max projectiles, 24.7 gr Varget (ADI2208) in Norma cases it shoots well out to 900 yards and will do 1000 yards if it isn't too windy. This combination groups well and is competitive against .308 rifles in FTR. Ballistics almost identical to a .308 up to 1000 yards.

A great learning combination with little recoil that suits his slim frame.
More economical to shoot than a .308

Nice rifle BTW. I wasn't planning on going anywhere near 1000 with this load, but i would like to get out to 5-600. It's difficult in the northeast to find places to shoot that far.


Been using varget and Hornady 68s for close to 20 years. Great combo

Definitely works well.

We'll have to see what TAC does.

[Yankee]

I had a guy with an AR-10 .308 and a brake on the end right beside me so i rushed things a bit...not my best shooting but it didn't matter.

My average 3 shot group with TAC was about .70 MOA @ 200, with the best being .58 MOA and the worst being .90.

My average 5 shot group with Varget was .499 MOA in previous testing and .44 MOA with my final load today.

Varget is substantially more accurate with this bullet/rifle combination.

At book max charge with TAC (24.4) i was getting 2870 FPS with the 68s. Varget was averaging 2830 and clearly shooting better.

[eddiesindian]

I had a guy with an AR-10 .308 and a brake on the end right beside me so i rushed things a bit...not my best shooting but it didn't matter.

My average 3 shot group with TAC was about .70 MOA @ 200, with the best being .58 MOA and the worst being .90.

My average 5 shot group with Varget was .499 MOA in previous testing and .44 MOA with my final load today.

Varget is substantially more accurate with this bullet/rifle combination.

At book max charge with TAC (24.4) i was getting 2870 FPS with the 68s. Varget was averaging 2830 and clearly shooting better.
Sure would be nice if I could find some Varget in these parts. Id pick up an 8lb-er in a heart beat.
I own way too many .223 gas guns (target) and am finally riding myself of a couple to get me a Savage .223 bolt gun.
I absolutely love my 308 Savage rigs but its nice to pull back on the component cost and cunsumption. Ive got 1k work of 68,s laying around that need to be loaded...1st thinsg 1st..........which Savage in 223 to get?....

[sixonetonoffun]

This is an interesting read. Have to point out the 223 is like 308 with so many powders that work very well. Makes it so economical to shoot in such a wide range of quality bullets its just a no brainer. Still hate the primer pockets! But thats a weak spot in my setup.

Love rl7 with the lighter bullets @3050 just fast enough without stressing anything at all.

[teebirdhyzer]

good shooting! I was reading through this and your load sounding surprisingly familiar. I shoot 69gr smk's with 24.6 gr. Varget at 2.26" OAL. This is in a 20" Savage light varmint barrel I bought off of the classifieds here. I shot the smallest group I've ever shot at 100yds with this combo. It shot many of the chargeweights well up to about 25.5 grains, but that 24.6 just seemed like magic. Never tried the Hornady 68 grainers, but maybe I should.

[tufrthnails]

Hmmm! seems I need to find a new powder to try for my DPMS.

[Cyclops]

Model 12 223 26" Barrel, 1:7 Twist 24.7 gr Varget, 80gr A-Max, Norma Cases.
500 yard shoot, FTR class, 60/60 score.
Screensnap of electronic target, squares are ~1 MOA centre 'V' ring ~1 MOA diameter scores 6 in FTR.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk152/ActyonMan/500yd%2010%20shot%20PERFECT%20SCORE%20smaller.jpg (http://s279.photobucket.com/user/ActyonMan/media/500yd%2010%20shot%20PERFECT%20SCORE%20smaller.jpg. html)

[McGee68]

https://flic.kr/p/qVxdHM