I recently purchased a Savage 12FVSS in 223Rem.For right now I'm keeping it stock. I'm looking for any loads for it using 50gr bullets. Can anyone help me out?
We have used 2230-C and Win 748 for the 50gr V-max loads we have. I would start with 25grs of either one in the case and work up from there. Best of luck with the new rifle.
Hi CJ: You'll enjoy the Savage and should be able to find some really good loads for it. As you know, the Savage has a 1:9 twist which means it can shoot all the way up to 69-/75-gr. bullets accurately. They do, however, love 50-/55-gr. VMax's and 53-gr. Sierra Match HPs. Almost any powder will work! I have shot hundreds of sub-1/2 MOA groups using Varget, Benchmark, H322, BL-C,2), W748 and AA2230C,using 2430 data). If you're real lucky, you got a Savage without too much freebore and will be able to seat out to the lands. My advice: Pick the bullet you want to shoot; find the max. load in the manual; start 1.5-gr. below max.; load 3 each at -1.5, -1.0, -0.5, at max., +0.5 and +1.0,any sign of stiff bolt lift, etc., don't go any higher; there is a lot of variation in chambers). Pick the most concentric,no flyers way out there) group and use that load and do another series of 3 varying the seating depth from .010" off the lands to .020" into the lands in .005" increments. If you aren't able to measure base-to-ogive length I highly recommend you get a Stoney Point "comparator" Click Here to See One because knowing the proper relationship between the bullet and the lands is the only way to get consistent accuracy. There have been lots of posts about the poor quality of the FVSS composite stocks. Make sure to keep the action screws snug but not "reefed on". Your stainless barreled action is an excellent starting point if you should decide at a later date to add an aftermarket stock or even upgrade to a Savage BVSS or VLP laminated stock.
50gn vmax, lake city brass,mid nineties), 205M, 27gn benchmark does amazing in half a dozen 223's that it has been tried in...does 3450fps from my 24" VS separates prairie dogs nicely and drops hogs every time... JB
Here is one of many recipe works for 223 pushing 50g NBT down a 1-14 x 26" barrel. I've tried it in many factory rifles, the characteristic of this load stand out to me because it shoots fast,3580)& produce tight BB holes. Lapua match brass Remington 7-1/5 26.3g of AA 2015BR
27 gr of 748, use the Hornady SX for explosive results on sod poodles, 52 amax for range shooting. Vmax is good too, you can get 40 grain bullets up to 3700 or better. See if you can get someone to mill a couple channels in the stock, and fill with epoxy and lead shot. You want to see the hit, and the results. My 223 weighs 14 lbs, stock and forend full of lead. HM
Another powder that works well and gives good speed with 50's is AA XMR2015. My AR and several other 223's love it.
My CZ527 has the same 9" twist and does quite well with 50 grain Barnes Varminators,cheap), H322, and Fed GM205M primers. I get 1/2 groups from L-C, Rem, or Win Brass, although I mostly use the L-C... bes Sierra and Hornady 53 grain match bullets shoot exceptionally well with the same load, but aren't as exciting on varmints.
50gr Speer TNT! nukes jackrabbits and is more accurate than anyone would think for a low price. With AA2015br or H335 it runs fast and will surprise you. Groups better than ANY of the plastic tips in my rifle.
My best effort with my Rem700VS and Berger 50's was a .187 using 26.5 H335 and Fed GM primers in Lapua brass. It was a compressed load, overpressured slightly and was a cool day, in the 50's. On a hot day it might have blown the primers. You should be able to run 26.0gr with no problems. I actually do better with H335 than most other powders. If it was temperature stable I'd throw the others out. -Rod-
