New Toy

[phill]

Just picked-up a Savage Mdl 12 Long Range Precision .223. Does anybody have any pet loads for the 1x7" twist barrel. The books say this will shoot 69gr. or better the best, my other .223's are all 1x12" or1x10". Thanks

[Lycanthrope]

77gr Nosler Custom Competitions over Varget. Midway Has good deals on those.

You won't be sorry.


Lycanallheshootsnowthrope

[phill]

I was looking at Nosler since the 7BR really likes the 140 Ballistic Tips. Thanks for the suggestion on the 77gr.

[Lycanthrope]

I really wouldn't bother with anything under 75gr unless it was a flat base. The 69SMK has an olgive akin to a 55gr spire point...so they look the same to the barrel. The 1:7 likes long bullets regardless of weight. My best AR shoots those 77gr CC under half an inch at 100 yards.

Lycanibuybulkpacksthrope

[phill]

You may have helped me more than you know, my AR never has lived up to my expectations. 69gr was as heavy as I tried, maybe this is the problem. Do you use Moly or not.

[Lycanthrope]

Originally Posted by phill

You may have helped me more than you know, my AR never has lived up to my expectations. 69gr was as heavy as I tried, maybe this is the problem. Do you use Moly or not.

Not typically. Just copper and a good bullet. The Sierra Match King and Noslers are about all I use anymore...but I'm always up for trying something new. I just keep getting let down....

Twist rates in the AR...from my experience, are vastly misrepresented for AR's on the internet. Likely from the military information where they use steel core or tracer rounds....which are long rounds...but lighter than a typical lead core round. So....a steel core round of lighter weight will look to the barrel like a much heavier lead core round.

My best 1:9 shoots 69smk at .5 inches and 55gr spires at about 1 moa. It will also stabilize 77gr bullets to under 2moa easily.

My 1:7 guns unly shoot under moa when I get above 75gr....and then often under .5 moa. 55gr bullets of any make, however, are commonly 3 moa.

I really think the 77gr Nosler Custom Competitions over Varget are going to get you started on bugholes. I load mag length and then loads batches in .3 grain increments of powder until I find the sweet spot. I take off any muzzle devices held on by crush washers and use a peel washer so I can set the torque myself.

Lycanthegunstellyouwhattheylikenotthenetthrope

[phill]

Got to the range for a few minutes before the heat got too bad. Will order some 77gr. Nosler today, the .69gr. Sierra Match were fair at about 1.5" but the .55gr. load looked like a .410 pattern. Did not even measure it. Thanks for your input it will save me time and money.

[Lycanthrope]

My pleasure. Post some groups with those 77's.

Lycantheywillbeworthythrope

[phill]

It will be a few days before I can get bullets and powder. I have not tried Varget because of the powder on hand but will now. Kind of anxious to try the .77's on the AR to see if that is my problem. This has been a thorn in my side since it would not shoot to my specs. The M1-A field grade would make it look sick so I just kind of drifted on.

[Pector55]

Originally Posted by phill

You may have helped me more than you know, my AR never has lived up to my expectations. 69gr was as heavy as I tried, maybe this is the problem. Do you use Moly or not.

If you have a 1x7, why not try that 75 grain over at AIM? It's inexpensive and would probably do well with your twist.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/W..._75grn_HP.html