CFJunkie
11-13-2020, 01:56 PM
After three posting different threads documenting my results with Savage 12 FV in .223, I thought it might be good to make it easy for those who have been following those results to get a summary of all the data by comparing results with different bullets, powders, stocks, scopes & primers.
Our range in Northern Virginia reopened in May and I have been busy filling in for some of the RSOs who declared themselves vulnerable. However, I did get a chance to shoot a reasonable number of rounds with the 12 FV .223 in the Oryx stock.
Some of you have followed my threads for the 12 FV .223 on the Ammunition and Reloading forum.
For the new 12 FV rifle with the factory stock, https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?63914-First-results-with-new-12-FV-223
For the results after the change to the Oryx stock on the 119-Series Bolt-Action forum.
https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?64623-Documented-results-from-replacing-the-12-FV-factory-stock-with-an-Oryx-Chassis (https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?64623-Documented-results-from-replacing-the-12-FV-factory-stock-with-an-Oryx-Chassis/page3)
Some of you also may have followed my thread on shooting 77 grain bullets in this 1:9 twist 12 FV .223.
https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?64814-Will-77-grain-bullets-stabilize-in-a-1-9-twist-barrel
(https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?64814-Will-77-grain-bullets-stabilize-in-a-1-9-twist-barrel)
Over the last few months, I have been using Vihta Vuori N140 powder with the heavier bullets, mostly Sierra 69 and 77 grain SMKs and TMKs. I have lots of N140 powder and am trying to save some of the other powders until they become available again.
The types of records that I keep are show in data from the last session that I shot with the 12 FV .223
with the Oryx stock on Nov. 6, 2020 compared to my long-term average of 0.294 with all combinations of bullets, powders, stocks, scopes, and primers.
7564
Unfortunately, if I attempted to provide as detailed a set of results for all the groups shot since the range reopened, there would be a lot of sessions to report on.
But I have kept the same type of records for each session and I think I have compiled data that might give you all some helpful information.
I put together a comparison of the long-term results with each configuration by stock, by scope and by primers for the 69 and 77 grain Sierras bullets, the most accurate bullets in this rifle.
7565
As you know, I have shot the 12 FV .223 with the factory stock and the Oryx stock with a Sightron II 36X scope and had just gotten a good deal on a Leupold 45x45mm Competition scope and mounted it on the Oryx chassis. My lack of practice right after the reopening might have skewed the results with the new Leupold a bit. I will have to wait to see if the slight drop in accuracy remains when the samples get larger.
I gathered data on 22 powder-bullet combinations by bullet since I started shooting the 12 FV .223 and the chart shows which powder bullet combinations worked the best on average and what the best load and velocity was. All the loads listed used Lapua brass.
5 Rnd Groups - Savage 12 FV .223 - Hand Loads By Average
# Grps --Powder -Bullet --------------------------Wgt AvG. Best Load Velocity Rank
205 ---- IMR4166 Sierra Tipped Match King #7177 77 0.279 0.240 -----2541 ---1
36 ------ N140 ---Sierra Match King # 9377 -------77 0.280 0.242 ---- 2592 ---2
36------- N140 ---Sierra Tipped Match King #7177 77 0.286 0.263 ---- 2592 ---3
11 ------ H4895 --Berger VLD #22418 ------------70 0.286 0.275 ---- 3039 ---4
96 ----- IMR4166 -Sierra Tipped Match King #7169 69 0.287 0.239 ---- 2581 ---5
31 ------N140 ----Sierra Tipped Match King #7169 69 0.289 0.280 ---- 2645 ---6
89----- IMR4166 Sierra Match King # 1380 -------- 69 0.292 0.248---- 2594 ---7
28 ------ N140 ---Sierra Match King # 1380 --------69 0.295 0.263---- 2654 ---8
77 ----- IMR4166 Sierra Match King # 9377 -------- 77 0.297 0.240---- 2544 ---9
6 ------ H4895 -- Sierra Tipped Match King #7169 --69 0.312 0.301---- 2669 -- 10
4 -------N133 ----Hornady ELD-M # 22491 -------- 52 0.333 0.333 --- 3094 ---11
3 ------ N133 --- Sierra Match King BHTP#1410 --- 52 0.343 0.343 ---- 3105---12
4 ------ N133 --- Berger FB #22410 --------------- 55 0.343 0.343-----3079---13
4 ------ N133 --- Hornady V-Max # 22265---------- 53 0.363 0.363---- 3070---14
2 ------ N133 --- Nosler CC #53335-----------------52 0.367 0.367---- 3110---15
4 ------ N133 --- Sierra Match King FB #1400------- 53 0.389 0.384---- 3101---16
3 ------ N133 --- Berger Varmint FB # 22406 ------- 50 0.390 0.390---- 3121---17
2 ----- IMR4166 -Nosler CC #17101 -----------------69 0.403 0.403---- 2953---18
2 ------ N133 --- Berger FB #22408 ---------------- 52 0.466 0.466---- 3106---19
1 ----- IMR4166 -Sierra Tipped Match King #7160 ---60 0.487 0.487---- 3008---20
7 ----- IMR4166 -Berger VLD #22418 ---------------70 0.509 0.291---- 2581--- 21
2 ----- IMR4166 -Hornady Match #2278 ------------ 68 0.653 0.653---- 2947--- 22
653 ---Total -------------------------------------------- 0.294
The 77 and 69 grain Sierras hold 9 of the top 10 powder-bullet combinations.
From this data, I think you can get a reasonable idea of what combinations worked best.
However, I caution you that these results are for a particular rifle barrel of 26-inch length and specific chamber.
Your rifle might not exhibit the same preferences.
I averaged all the results for each powder bullet-combination for each bullet without regard for seating depth, velocity, etc.
However, I did include the best load average and its velocity to give you all some idea of what worked the best for me with each powder-bullet combination.
The overall average for 5-round groups since the inception is just under 0.3 inches for 653 groups, but 9 powder-bullet combinations of the best performers out of the 22 different combinations account for 609 of the groups (93.3%).
I admit that I have concentrated on the powders and bullets that provided the best results.
Once I got the initial indication, I have avoided the combinations that did not measure up and did not waste time and resources on looking for a miracle.
Analysis of the top loads for the 77 and 69 grain Sierra bullets provides a slightly different look.
-------------------Top 10 ------------------ Top 25 -------------All Loads
-------------------Weight Avg. ---# Grps -- Avg. # Grps -Avg. ---# Grps
Sierra TMK # 7177-- 77 --- 0.227 ---21 --- 0.237 -- 45 -- 0.279--- 229
Sierra SMK # 9377-- 77 --- 0.235 ---16 ---0.243 -- 29 --0.289 ----105
Sierra TMK # 7169-- 69 ---0.239 ---- 3 --- 0.246--- 11 -- 0.288--- 127
Sierra SMK # 1380-- 69 --------------------0.251--- 11 -- 0.292--- 104
The Sierra 69 SMK and TMKs and the 77 SMKs and TMKs have performed the best and, as you can see, I have sent a lot of them down range.
Note that the TMKs performed slightly better than the SMKs in both the 77 and 69 grain bullets.
Also note that the 77 grain bullets perform slightly better than the 69 grain bullets on average.
The statistical sample of all 77 and 69 grain loads is large enough to make that conclusion.
I even have compiled results based upon jump.
12 FV .223
Jump ----------- Avg--- Median St Dev # Grps Rank
0.000 to 0.009-- 0.292-- 0.285 0.058 -- 84------4
0.010 to 0.019-- 0.278-- 0.271 0.053-- 173----- 1
0.020 to 0.029-- 0.292-- 0.282 0.058 -- 181---- 3
0.030 to 0.039-- 0.310-- 0.294 0.054 --- 27----- 7
0.040 to 0.049-- 0.335-- 0.302 0.119 --- 35----- 9
0.050 to 0.059-- 0.306-- 0.292 0.067 --- 11----- 5
0.060 to 0.069-- 0.285-- 0.284 0.050 ---- 8----- 2
0.070 to 0.079-- 0.354-- 0.292 0.170 ---- 9---- 10
0.080 to 0.089-- 0.307-- 0.295 0.098 ---- 7----- 6
0.090 to 0.099-- 0.331-- 0.313 0.090 ---- 7----- 8
There is a definite positive result for the 0.010 to 0.019 jump in this sample.
The difference between the averages for the 0.020 to 0.029 and 0.000 to 0.009 samples is 0.0004.
Although it shows as the second-best jump, the 0.060 to 0.069 sample is too small, in my opinion, to make any conclusion about why it is in second place.
An 8-group average could easily be influenced by a single outstanding group that may have been an anomaly.
Since my wife died in December, it took me 2 months to begin shooting again and no sooner did I begin shooting, the pandemic hit, and our range was closed early in March.
Even after the range reopened, I have not been shooting as much but the results do not show much of the expected deterioration that comes with the reduced range time.
The results shown below include only the 69 and 77 grain bullets because I have been shooting them almost exclusively since March-2019.
Since the range reopened, I have only been shooting about 57% of the number of rounds a month that I was shooting pre-pandemic.
There is not a lot difference in the average group size, but my groups were larger in the first months after the range reopened so, to me, range time or lack of it, does effect accuracy.
The data shows that I have managed to get most of my consistency back over the most recent 4 months even though I have been shooting only 57% of the groups per month.
12 FV .223 # Months Grps /Month Avg Group # Groups
Pre COVID ----12 ----69.1 ---------0.281------- 829
Post Reopening 7 ----39.3 ---------0.282------- 275
-------------Change -43.1% ------- 0.5%
Our range in Northern Virginia reopened in May and I have been busy filling in for some of the RSOs who declared themselves vulnerable. However, I did get a chance to shoot a reasonable number of rounds with the 12 FV .223 in the Oryx stock.
Some of you have followed my threads for the 12 FV .223 on the Ammunition and Reloading forum.
For the new 12 FV rifle with the factory stock, https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?63914-First-results-with-new-12-FV-223
For the results after the change to the Oryx stock on the 119-Series Bolt-Action forum.
https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?64623-Documented-results-from-replacing-the-12-FV-factory-stock-with-an-Oryx-Chassis (https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?64623-Documented-results-from-replacing-the-12-FV-factory-stock-with-an-Oryx-Chassis/page3)
Some of you also may have followed my thread on shooting 77 grain bullets in this 1:9 twist 12 FV .223.
https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?64814-Will-77-grain-bullets-stabilize-in-a-1-9-twist-barrel
(https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?64814-Will-77-grain-bullets-stabilize-in-a-1-9-twist-barrel)
Over the last few months, I have been using Vihta Vuori N140 powder with the heavier bullets, mostly Sierra 69 and 77 grain SMKs and TMKs. I have lots of N140 powder and am trying to save some of the other powders until they become available again.
The types of records that I keep are show in data from the last session that I shot with the 12 FV .223
with the Oryx stock on Nov. 6, 2020 compared to my long-term average of 0.294 with all combinations of bullets, powders, stocks, scopes, and primers.
7564
Unfortunately, if I attempted to provide as detailed a set of results for all the groups shot since the range reopened, there would be a lot of sessions to report on.
But I have kept the same type of records for each session and I think I have compiled data that might give you all some helpful information.
I put together a comparison of the long-term results with each configuration by stock, by scope and by primers for the 69 and 77 grain Sierras bullets, the most accurate bullets in this rifle.
7565
As you know, I have shot the 12 FV .223 with the factory stock and the Oryx stock with a Sightron II 36X scope and had just gotten a good deal on a Leupold 45x45mm Competition scope and mounted it on the Oryx chassis. My lack of practice right after the reopening might have skewed the results with the new Leupold a bit. I will have to wait to see if the slight drop in accuracy remains when the samples get larger.
I gathered data on 22 powder-bullet combinations by bullet since I started shooting the 12 FV .223 and the chart shows which powder bullet combinations worked the best on average and what the best load and velocity was. All the loads listed used Lapua brass.
5 Rnd Groups - Savage 12 FV .223 - Hand Loads By Average
# Grps --Powder -Bullet --------------------------Wgt AvG. Best Load Velocity Rank
205 ---- IMR4166 Sierra Tipped Match King #7177 77 0.279 0.240 -----2541 ---1
36 ------ N140 ---Sierra Match King # 9377 -------77 0.280 0.242 ---- 2592 ---2
36------- N140 ---Sierra Tipped Match King #7177 77 0.286 0.263 ---- 2592 ---3
11 ------ H4895 --Berger VLD #22418 ------------70 0.286 0.275 ---- 3039 ---4
96 ----- IMR4166 -Sierra Tipped Match King #7169 69 0.287 0.239 ---- 2581 ---5
31 ------N140 ----Sierra Tipped Match King #7169 69 0.289 0.280 ---- 2645 ---6
89----- IMR4166 Sierra Match King # 1380 -------- 69 0.292 0.248---- 2594 ---7
28 ------ N140 ---Sierra Match King # 1380 --------69 0.295 0.263---- 2654 ---8
77 ----- IMR4166 Sierra Match King # 9377 -------- 77 0.297 0.240---- 2544 ---9
6 ------ H4895 -- Sierra Tipped Match King #7169 --69 0.312 0.301---- 2669 -- 10
4 -------N133 ----Hornady ELD-M # 22491 -------- 52 0.333 0.333 --- 3094 ---11
3 ------ N133 --- Sierra Match King BHTP#1410 --- 52 0.343 0.343 ---- 3105---12
4 ------ N133 --- Berger FB #22410 --------------- 55 0.343 0.343-----3079---13
4 ------ N133 --- Hornady V-Max # 22265---------- 53 0.363 0.363---- 3070---14
2 ------ N133 --- Nosler CC #53335-----------------52 0.367 0.367---- 3110---15
4 ------ N133 --- Sierra Match King FB #1400------- 53 0.389 0.384---- 3101---16
3 ------ N133 --- Berger Varmint FB # 22406 ------- 50 0.390 0.390---- 3121---17
2 ----- IMR4166 -Nosler CC #17101 -----------------69 0.403 0.403---- 2953---18
2 ------ N133 --- Berger FB #22408 ---------------- 52 0.466 0.466---- 3106---19
1 ----- IMR4166 -Sierra Tipped Match King #7160 ---60 0.487 0.487---- 3008---20
7 ----- IMR4166 -Berger VLD #22418 ---------------70 0.509 0.291---- 2581--- 21
2 ----- IMR4166 -Hornady Match #2278 ------------ 68 0.653 0.653---- 2947--- 22
653 ---Total -------------------------------------------- 0.294
The 77 and 69 grain Sierras hold 9 of the top 10 powder-bullet combinations.
From this data, I think you can get a reasonable idea of what combinations worked best.
However, I caution you that these results are for a particular rifle barrel of 26-inch length and specific chamber.
Your rifle might not exhibit the same preferences.
I averaged all the results for each powder bullet-combination for each bullet without regard for seating depth, velocity, etc.
However, I did include the best load average and its velocity to give you all some idea of what worked the best for me with each powder-bullet combination.
The overall average for 5-round groups since the inception is just under 0.3 inches for 653 groups, but 9 powder-bullet combinations of the best performers out of the 22 different combinations account for 609 of the groups (93.3%).
I admit that I have concentrated on the powders and bullets that provided the best results.
Once I got the initial indication, I have avoided the combinations that did not measure up and did not waste time and resources on looking for a miracle.
Analysis of the top loads for the 77 and 69 grain Sierra bullets provides a slightly different look.
-------------------Top 10 ------------------ Top 25 -------------All Loads
-------------------Weight Avg. ---# Grps -- Avg. # Grps -Avg. ---# Grps
Sierra TMK # 7177-- 77 --- 0.227 ---21 --- 0.237 -- 45 -- 0.279--- 229
Sierra SMK # 9377-- 77 --- 0.235 ---16 ---0.243 -- 29 --0.289 ----105
Sierra TMK # 7169-- 69 ---0.239 ---- 3 --- 0.246--- 11 -- 0.288--- 127
Sierra SMK # 1380-- 69 --------------------0.251--- 11 -- 0.292--- 104
The Sierra 69 SMK and TMKs and the 77 SMKs and TMKs have performed the best and, as you can see, I have sent a lot of them down range.
Note that the TMKs performed slightly better than the SMKs in both the 77 and 69 grain bullets.
Also note that the 77 grain bullets perform slightly better than the 69 grain bullets on average.
The statistical sample of all 77 and 69 grain loads is large enough to make that conclusion.
I even have compiled results based upon jump.
12 FV .223
Jump ----------- Avg--- Median St Dev # Grps Rank
0.000 to 0.009-- 0.292-- 0.285 0.058 -- 84------4
0.010 to 0.019-- 0.278-- 0.271 0.053-- 173----- 1
0.020 to 0.029-- 0.292-- 0.282 0.058 -- 181---- 3
0.030 to 0.039-- 0.310-- 0.294 0.054 --- 27----- 7
0.040 to 0.049-- 0.335-- 0.302 0.119 --- 35----- 9
0.050 to 0.059-- 0.306-- 0.292 0.067 --- 11----- 5
0.060 to 0.069-- 0.285-- 0.284 0.050 ---- 8----- 2
0.070 to 0.079-- 0.354-- 0.292 0.170 ---- 9---- 10
0.080 to 0.089-- 0.307-- 0.295 0.098 ---- 7----- 6
0.090 to 0.099-- 0.331-- 0.313 0.090 ---- 7----- 8
There is a definite positive result for the 0.010 to 0.019 jump in this sample.
The difference between the averages for the 0.020 to 0.029 and 0.000 to 0.009 samples is 0.0004.
Although it shows as the second-best jump, the 0.060 to 0.069 sample is too small, in my opinion, to make any conclusion about why it is in second place.
An 8-group average could easily be influenced by a single outstanding group that may have been an anomaly.
Since my wife died in December, it took me 2 months to begin shooting again and no sooner did I begin shooting, the pandemic hit, and our range was closed early in March.
Even after the range reopened, I have not been shooting as much but the results do not show much of the expected deterioration that comes with the reduced range time.
The results shown below include only the 69 and 77 grain bullets because I have been shooting them almost exclusively since March-2019.
Since the range reopened, I have only been shooting about 57% of the number of rounds a month that I was shooting pre-pandemic.
There is not a lot difference in the average group size, but my groups were larger in the first months after the range reopened so, to me, range time or lack of it, does effect accuracy.
The data shows that I have managed to get most of my consistency back over the most recent 4 months even though I have been shooting only 57% of the groups per month.
12 FV .223 # Months Grps /Month Avg Group # Groups
Pre COVID ----12 ----69.1 ---------0.281------- 829
Post Reopening 7 ----39.3 ---------0.282------- 275
-------------Change -43.1% ------- 0.5%