12FV owners---What factory ammo works for you?

[WV1951]

Wasn't sure to post here or "At The Range".
Seems to be several new 12FV owners and didn't want to bury this in another long 12FV thread.
For the factory ammo shooters, I am curious what has worked and what has not. I do not plan, at this time, to reload if I can find something to live with. I am a novice, so the more I shoot, the more comfortable I get. Today, I adjusted down my accutrigger, and it seemed to help today's groupings. It felt better.
I purchased an assortment to get an idea. Nothing high end, until I get some range time in. Obviously, since every rifle is different, YMMV.

These results are from using all of the ammo in 4 shot groups.
AE 50 gr. JHP..............Consistent, promising, different POI
Hornady 53 gr. Vmax....Consistent, promising, different POI
AE AR223 55 gr. FMJ....Promising, somewhat consistent
AE 55 gr. FMJBT..........Decent groups, somewhat consistent
PPU 55 gr. SP..............Just so-so
PMC Bronze 55 gr. PSP..Not good
AE 62 gr. FMJBT..........Not bad, a bit inconsistent
Armscor 62 gr. FMJ.......Decent groups, somewhat inconsistent
PPU 69 gr. HPBT..........Somewhat consistent. Promising

Updated for new info.

Australian Outback 69 gr. HPBT........Consistent, sub moa
Black Hills 68 gr. MKHP....................Consistent, sub moa, very tight tolerance in a 50 round box
IMI 55 gr. FMJ...............................Not good(from my rifle), about like PMC Bronze
AE AR223 55gr. FMJ........................See above. The more I use the better it gets.
AE Ar223 50gr. varmint tipped...........Fairly consistent, sub MOA, different POI than heaviers

If you have done something similar, what works for yours? Just curious.
These are the better groups. The others aren't horrible, just not MOA, with some flyers involved, and my novice ability. 100 yds.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/mandn1951/15ed6def-a8d7-4f76-8a95-588541ef2db9_zpszo7k9ssg.jpg (http://s55.photobucket.com/user/mandn1951/media/15ed6def-a8d7-4f76-8a95-588541ef2db9_zpszo7k9ssg.jpg.html)


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/mandn1951/57059f9b-3106-45dd-ab49-fec87b34a7be_zpsaulpurof.jpg (http://s55.photobucket.com/user/mandn1951/media/57059f9b-3106-45dd-ab49-fec87b34a7be_zpsaulpurof.jpg.html)


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/mandn1951/IMG_2625_zpsdjbaa6me.jpg (http://s55.photobucket.com/user/mandn1951/media/IMG_2625_zpsdjbaa6me.jpg.html)

(http://s55.photobucket.com/user/mandn1951/media/IMG_2622_zpsiuepgff1.jpg.html)http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/mandn1951/IMG_2622_zpsiuepgff1.jpg (http://s55.photobucket.com/user/mandn1951/media/IMG_2622_zpsiuepgff1.jpg.html)

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/mandn1951/865779c3-4966-491f-b611-c283d9283d6d_zpsfv7gv1ln.jpg (http://s55.photobucket.com/user/mandn1951/media/865779c3-4966-491f-b611-c283d9283d6d_zpsfv7gv1ln.jpg.html)

[holescreek]

Buy a couple boxes of factory loaded Australian Outback 69g SMK BTHP. Both mine and my buddys .223 FV shoots average .6" 5 shot groups all day long with them.

[Texas10]

Try the AE223GTV in 50 grain. Pretty consistent 3/4 minute but many times will put 3 in a ragged hole at 100 yds.

[Mozella]

It's hard to beat Lapua. I don't have data for my .223, but my 6mm BR has shot a best 5-shot 100 yd group of .188 MOA. I suspect their .223 is of equally high quality; expensive though.

If I were unable to hand load ammo for a match for some reason, my factory ammo of choice would be Lapua.

[LoneWolf]

If you are punching paper for tight groups it requires high quality ammo. So I would say at this point try a box of higher quality ammo like black hills or other well known factory match brand.

With that said, looking at the average of your group sizes it makes me debate if it's the rifle, ammo, or shooter in the equation.

Please let us know what your shooting set up is and we may be able to provide some pointers that will tighten up your group shooting before you spend a ton of money trying to find the perfect brand of factory ammo.


"The strength of the wolf is the pack, but the strength pack is the wolf"

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[WV1951]

Shooting set up is front and rear bags on concrete bench. To answer your comment, LoneWolf, the variable is most likely the shooter.
Another reason for the post was to give those wondering the same thing, from my personal experience. Once I settle on something, I can dial in the scope and leave it. I don't want to be adjusting scope for different weights.

[LoneWolf]

I've seen a lot of shooters and have helped many in my short time. First thing that sticks out to me is the consistency of group size with multiple types of ammo as I stated. Is the 12 FV in a flimsy stock or something pretty solid? It is possible you are doing your job, but unknowingly have the rifle set up in a manner that works against consistency. If it's one of the Savages with a rather flexible stock you need to ensure that the front bag is not to far forward causing the forearm to flex and touch the barrel. Also you need to ensure that the tang is floated. I trust that your scope base and rings are properly torqued and checked prior to a range outing.

Obviously, I don't know what your level of experience is, but these are a few of the things I'd start checking first!

[Texas10]

^^^^^^+1.

And don't forget to torque the action screws properly. IIRC, no more than 35 INCH pounds on the front, and then torque the rear to 10 inch pounds and shoot a group, raise torque to 15 and shoot, etc. When the groups tighten up, stop there and take note of the torque values.

[WV1951]

Thanks, LoneWolf
The 12 FV has the beefier stock and it is definitely floated. Does not flex much. I rest closer to the action so to not take any chances of causing the stock to flex into the barrel. The tang is also floated. I can slide a card beneath it. Level of shooting is pretty much a beginner. My 65 year old eyes and nerves probably has some effect. Base and rings have been properly torqued

Texas 10
Read quite a bit on torque for the action. I had it at 35 front and 15 rear, but after pulling stock to adjust trigger pull, I snugged both after reading many opinions on proper torque. Many, many opinions. Actually, my last groups after the trigger adjust and just snugging the screws, showed the better groups. Seems like the more rounds down the barrel, the better it gets.

[holescreek]

You didn't mention whether you're using one, but a rear bag cut my groups in half.

[WV1951]

You didn't mention whether you're using one, but a rear bag cut my groups in half.


See my earlier post.

Shooting set up is front and rear bags on concrete bench.

[jpx2rk]

My FV 12 223 seems to like the lighter bullets so far 40 to 50, 55's are ok, but the 62's did not do as well. Here is a 3 shot group @200 yds with HSM ammo, 40gr Berger match FB
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/jimp10/Ruger%20223/AB54389A-156F-4655-93E1-C13E1AE462B6_zpsnaynlqw0.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/jimp10/media/Ruger%20223/AB54389A-156F-4655-93E1-C13E1AE462B6_zpsnaynlqw0.jpg.html)

[NDAR15MAN]

Great thread and post guys ! Thanks for sharing all your info. This is the best gun sight in the net. Martyd

[Rick_W]

If you are punching paper for tight groups it requires high quality ammo. So I would say at this point try a box of higher quality ammo like black hills or other well known factory match brand.

Mediocre ammo will usually give you mediocre results. I like using it to get me on paper but then move to quality ammo.

Quality ammo should allow you to concentrate on your form/mechanics and not second guess whether it's you or the ammo.

Check out this link to MidwayUSA (https://www.midwayusa.com/55-grain-or-smaller/br?cid=21933) for some under-55 grain .223 Rem Match-grade ammo.

[Wide Glide]

I wouldn't discount the heavy bullets yet. I'm shooting a 12fv barrel and action. Mine loved every 69gr load I threw it but I had to really work to find a 53gr vmax load that was 0.5moa or better.

[holescreek]

Just back from the range and ran my buddy's target through the ontarget program. Stock Model 12FV (still in the tupperware stock) with a knock off Harris bipod from Walmart. It has a 20MOA Millett Rail mounted (because I had an extra one to give him) topped with a Sightron 8-32x56 scope set at 24X. Target at 100 yards, Ammo is Australian Outback 69gr Sierra Match King ($12.99/box at Cabellas). Granted it isn't benchrest quality shooting it's decent for an old guy with low cost factory ammo. My 12FV is all tricked out (except for the cheap scope) and despite shooting 69gr SMK reloads using a front rest my best group was .416" today. I tried some light bullets early on and couldn't get them to group. After that I went to the heavy bullets and never looked back.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/bolt%20action/Savage/Allan%202%20100%20yards%20090416_zpsfbibcqry.jpg

Funny thing about his lower left group, he called his first shot way left then the next two were in the black. He put the two in between just to see if he could.

[WV1951]

How much time did you allow between groups? ^^^^^^

[WV1951]

I wouldn't discount the heavy bullets yet. I'm shooting a 12fv barrel and action. Mine loved every 69gr load I threw it but I had to really work to find a 53gr vmax load that was 0.5moa or better.

So far, with my limited experience, the lighter pills definitely have a different POI than the heavies. I am going to try some Australian Outback 69 gr. when I can get some. Cabelas is putting it on sale this week, but not driving an hour to get it. Not giving up on the 50-53 gr. Just need to shoot some more.

[holescreek]

How much time did you allow between groups? ^^^^^^

We (neither one of us) take any time at all for barrel cooling. We load up 5 at a time and move from target to target. I've shot as many as 15 five shot groups in a row at a fast pace without a measureable difference between the first and last groups (easy to get away with when you shoot as bad as I do!). But all of my rifles have very heavy barrels. I understand it's a concern on light weight hunting barrels, I don't shoot that kind of rifle. Now to be fair, I've never had a one hole group. My best two groups were .26" and .27" (5 shots at 100) with the 12FV.

BTW, I don't know if I'm allowed to say it here but Cabelas is having a sale 10% off plus free shipping through labor day which includes ammo. Code: 6TENOFF

[holescreek]

One question for all the other 12FV owners out there. Is anyone else having problems with a weak extractor? My buddy's rifle will drop the empty case inside the action if he doesn't pull the bolt back really fast. I've tried everything I can think of to get it to work right but I'm guessing the ball detent underneath the extractor is in the wrong place creating a loose hold. My rifle flings the case out no matter how slow I pull the bolt rearward.