I think I found this rifle's happy load with the SMK's and VihtaVouri N135. Normally I don't spend for this "Scandinavian Fairy-Dust" but I snagged a few lbs. during the big "scare" earlier as a "get anything I can", but the stuff does shoot.
See attached snaps. Both loads were at 2.280 COAL and run with Rem 7 1/2 BR's. Powder was hand measured to 0.1 with no allowance for +.1 or -.1. Range was standard 100 Yards. Charge Ladders were 21.6g to 22.2g in 0.2 Steps and another set of 4 loads at 23.0 to 23.6 in 0.2 Steps. I had already "Narrowed Down" where my 2 Accuracy Nodes were from previous day.
Weather was very nice with 0-5 breeze at 90 deg. to flight, but obviously didn't make much diff. Temp about 75+. Low humidity and Sea-Level (yup, it's Florida)
Rifle is a stock 12 BTCSS .223 with (unfortunately) a 1-9 twist. Shooting off of front bag with "fist" for rear support.
Low VV Book was quite good @ 21.6 grains with a 0.422 MOA (0.442) and I was feeling pretty good.
A little later-on, in middle of the load charge-range, though, I really found a sweet spot at 23.0 grains. This one shot at 0.325 MOA (0.342")Oh yeah, I think I'll make a lot of these...
NUTS, I don't have any photo-bucket kind of thing so no pictures to share, but the groups do look nice...
Hope is of use to anyone playing around with loads for their Savage, 1-9 twist, .223 Varmint rig. I will try at 200 yds. next time and see how they do when they fly a little longer.
I use VV N-110 in all of my 44 Magnum loads. Now, I shoot these from my Smith (yes…not a savage) 629 scoped revolver and it will (from a bench) consistently put the Hornady 200gr. XTP in the 4" group at 100 yards.
That same load will also take out any Pa. doe with one shot thru the lungs. It's a great powder. I did manage to buy 8-lbs. before the craze and also before the price went thru the roof.
Dave
Why unfortunate on the 1-9? I love my 1-9 with everything up to 77gr.
For my Savage .223 1-9 twist Carbine I found the most accurate load was using Varget (I can't recall the amount) but shooting the Hornady 68gr. BTHP. http://www.hornady.com/store/22-Cal-.224-68-gr-BTHP/ It's simply one accurate sub-MOA load.Originally Posted by FishinFool
Dave
Hi Nastynatefish,
I didn't think the 1-9 would keep those 77 SMK stable that well? Do thy run well in this pipe? I would have preferred at least a 1-8 twist from experience with other .223's, but maybe this mile-long bore makes-up for it.... I just haven't tried to roll any with 77's.
By the way, where do you find any Fish in AZ? I have a lot of offshore sportfishing time in and have caught some REAL nasties!
Dave, thanks again for your input. You are always around and eager to lend your experience. One of these days I'd love to sit down and talk guns and reloading with you over a beer (or 10)... I KNOW you've got a good sense of humor from that awesome Avatar...
Come on down to Palm Beach area Florida this winter and we'll do some shootin'
Steve
Mines a 20" barrel and it shoots them well. I run with TAC powder.
Fishing wise I like San Carlos but its down pretty bad now. I like lake pleasant also. Up in flagstaff lake mary
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