Reply With QuoteMy FCP-k .223 shoots .5 moa with hornady American gunner 55gr BTHP at 3240. I haven't started reloading for it yet, just got it recently. Can't wait to try some heavier bullets.
Hello all,
I posted a thread or two previously about my FLCP-K (223) but I don't think I ever posted a picture: http://s1007.photobucket.com/user/bs...tml?sort=3&o=2
Anyways, the 9 twist limits me to 75 grain bullets and lighter. My new favorite powder for this rifle is AR-Comp. 69 SMKs print repeatable 1/2" 100 yard groups but open up slightly at 300 yards. So I ran some 75 BTHPs to the lands and increased the recommended charge to 22.3 grains. The results at 100 were unbelievable and even better at 300: http://s1007.photobucket.com/user/bs...tml?sort=3&o=0
This is why I love savage and why I love 223!
Bill
My FCP-k .223 shoots .5 moa with hornady American gunner 55gr BTHP at 3240. I haven't started reloading for it yet, just got it recently. Can't wait to try some heavier bullets.
My son & I have used our Model 12 VLP DBM .223 out to a 1000 yards competively in FTR competition.
It struggles in heavy winds at 900 and 1000 yards but can compete in light airs.
Certainly very competitive out to 800 yards.
Our load is 80 gr A-Max in Norma cases with 24.7 gr Varget. (1:7 twist 26" barrel).
Muzzle velocity is around 2840 fps.
Just remember Bill that the twist/velocity limit the Length of the bullet, weight is a tag along.
The 75gr A-max is notably longer than the 77gr SMK; as an example.
I'm a firm believer in the theory that if it bleeds, I can kill it.
Instead of starting a new thread I figured Id just update this one. As stated earlier, my factory savage 223 barrel was sub moa accurate all day long. However after 300 it could only be used for plinking.
I bought a 24" stainless super match from pac nor with 3 grooves and a 7 twist. My I had my smith chamber it for ackley improved and Im easily launching 80 grain bullets to 2960 fps. Of course, it is shooting sub moa.
I selected AI as my "1000 yard cartridge" for two reasons
1. Not interested in the recoil of 30 caliber cartridges
2. Not rich enough to replace 6mm or 6.5mm barrels every 3K rounds.
This wildcat is a really fantastic cartridge. Easy to convert and easy to reload for
Bill
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I felt the same way, but still wanted to hunt with it, so I bought the fcp in .308. Recoil is surprisingly light, even with 165 gr. Just a thought.Originally Posted by Bill C
How does your 223 AI compare to the 6.5 Grendel? I love my Grendels and have recently started shooting 223 again, this time in a bolt action. I'm only launching the Hornady 75 bthp at around 2740 and it's shooting great so far to 550 yards.
I was recently enlightened to the 6.5 Grendel and I doubt the AI can hold a stick to it. I also don't think the AI feeds reliably from a magazine
Bill
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I'm at 5000 ft above sea level, and my .223 1:9 seems to stabilize the 75 gr AMAX pretty well. I've only got it out to 300 once, once a breezy day, but vertical dispersion was just over an inch. I just bought a 10T in 6.5, so I'll play with it more, but I'm teaching a friend's teenage son to shoot and it will be perfect for him.
I agree. My 223 will be re-barreled to 6.5 Grendel soon.
Bill, I totally agree about the .223. It can compete in matches out to 600, and the recoil is nil. Cheaper bullets, less powder. Mil-surp cases are as accurate as any, and in .223 they even have excellent case capacity in comparison with commercial brass. You can get the Barnes TSX or use a JLK 75 or 80 gr target bullet for hunting. The 75 JLK is easier to tune than the 80, and shoots great out to 600 yards.
I considered loading the ttsx or tsx in the 223 for hunting, but my 11vt has a 24" varmint barrel so it was quite heavy.
Another update to showcase my continued evolution of my savage 10. Since my last post I added a glades armory bolt handle. Only thing that could be improved upon is sweeping the handle back a little. At the rear, the bolt can bind because of the slop between bolt and receiver and how long the handle is.
The big addition recently was an XLR element chassis. There was nothing wrong with my accustock - many people bemoan them I think they're a great value. The factory savage magazine did not allow me to seat bullets to the lands (about 1/10" off"). AI magazines from MDT would give a COAL of 2.550. At 2.500, I'm 10 thousandths off the lands. The chassis was easy to install and is of very high quality. Fit, finish, and overall craftsmanship are excellent (Yes you're reading that correctly - I spent nearly 700 dollars for an extra 1/10" in COAL, 100 fps increase in velocity, and 10 round magazines).
Load development yesterday yielded 2967 avg fps with 25.8 grains varget and 80 SMKs. Accuracy was an average of .6 inches. at 100 yards. In terms of drop and drift this matches the 308 with a 175 HPBT out to 1000 yards.
My SWFA 10X42 has served me very well. Not just for the money, it's a great scope. I may "upgrade" to a 5-25 from Vortex to see how that helps at longer ranges.
After that, the only things left to mess with is a suppressor (Not anytime soon) and some different bullets (VLDs, JLKs, 90 SMKs). The 80s shoot so well I almost don't want to bother.
I'll post pictures later today.
Bill
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