New 12 FTR DATA

[Texas Solo]

Finally got my new Savage 12FTR up and running. I worked up loads with 155 & 168 bullets. I expected the 155 to do well with the 1/12 twist, but the 168 shot better. I used Varget, IMR4064 & RE15.

The Varget shot just OK, nothing to shout about. .750" best 5 shot group.

The 4064 did better at .500".

The RE15 really shined with the 168, and also shot the 155 better. The 155 went .600" while the 168 went .353". I'm happy!

All loads were with new Hornady brass & CBTO was -.005" off the lands.

Next step is to play with seating depth. I'll try -010" and -.015".

Now I have good load data and brass specs.

 

[Rset]

Congratulations on finding a load you like and moving to seating depth.
Unfortunately, without load data, etc. This information had no relevance and can not be commented on with any greater clarity or assistance.
Best of luck in your endeavors.

 

[scissorhands]

What kind of brass, what was your charge weights with the Varget?

 

[Vin81]

I’m actually in the same process with the same rifle savage 12 f/tr, slight difference in bullets and brass etc. Waiting on weather for powder ladder test.

185 juggernauts
Lapua Palma brass
Varget
BR-4

 

[Hoot]

Same rifle.
Mine shoots in the .2's at 100 yds using 44.8gr Shooters World Precision, lit with Rem 7 1/2, pushing HBN plated 168 AMAX bullets, seated -20 OTL using 10-F annealed Lapua brass. (Pockets still tight!) Avg velocity of 2780 with an SD of 9.5
Interestingly, same result with 45.8gr SWP, averaging 2860 with an SD of 13.2
This was back on a cool day in late October. Haven't been out since then. About two months before the same weather returns up here.

Hoot

 

[Vin81]

Awesome guys. This rifle been around for a while, there’s a bunch of data out there.

Until my 7/6.5 prc is built, I will be tuning in this baby and jumping into ftr. Very interested in the testing results from y’all.

 

[scissorhands]

I’m actually in the same process with the same rifle savage 12 f/tr, slight difference in bullets and brass etc. Waiting on weather for powder ladder test.

185 juggernauts
Lapua Palma brass
Varget
BR-4

Same here. Just loaded up some rounds to test. Lapua brass, Winchester LR primer, 185 juggernaut, Varget. If the weather holds, I’ll go shoot them tomorrow.
Just shot my first 600 yard FTR match this past weekend. Shot a 589-25x with 175 SMK’s and varget.

 

[Vin81]

Same here. Just loaded up some rounds to test. Lapua brass, Winchester LR primer, Varget. If the weather holds, I’ll go shoot them tomorrow.
Just shot my first 600 yard FTR match this past weekend. Shot a 589-25x with 175 SMK’s and varget.

Nice job. What powder charge, etc?

 

[scissorhands]

Nice job. What powder charge, etc?

I had 4, 5 shot groups from 43.7-44.6 with varget. All were .4 or smaller .010 off the lands.

 

[Vin81]

I had 4, 5 shot groups from 43.7-44.6 with varget. All were .4 or smaller .010 off the lands.

Is that with 185 jugg’s or the 175 smk’s?

 

[scissorhands]

Is that with 185 jugg’s or the 175 smk’s?

That was the 175 SMK

 

[Texas Solo]

Congratulations on finding a load you like and moving to seating depth.
Unfortunately, without load data, etc. This information had no relevance and can not be commented on with any greater clarity or assistance.
Best of luck in your endeavors.

OK, here yahoo go:

155 ELD:
45.5 4064 = 2945fps / .629" es32sd16
45.0 RE15 = 2885fps / .440"es25sd12
45.8 Varget = 2982fps / 720"es20sd10

168 BTHP Hornady:
43.5 4064 = 2793 / .592" /es18sd9
44.0 RE15 = 2795 / .353 / es24sd16
42.6 Varget =2725/.750"/es41sd25

 

[mgunderson]

Keep moving away from the lands. Try that 0.030 to 0.040 area. It is more stable than the 5 to 15 area. More people are trying the 0.06 to 0.070 area and finding that they like it.

 

[rjtfroggy]

I've shot Savages for 50 years and found that every one of them with factory barrels liked 0.015-0.018 off the lands.

 

[Rset]

OK, here yahoo go:

155 ELD:
45.5 4064 = 2945fps / .629" es32sd16
45.0 RE15 = 2885fps / .440"es25sd12
45.8 Varget = 2982fps / 720"es20sd10

168 BTHP Hornady:
43.5 4064 = 2793 / .592" /es18sd9
44.0 RE15 = 2795 / .353 / es24sd16
42.6 Varget =2725/.750"/es41sd25

Don't misunderstand my previous comments. I sincerely congratulate you on finding a load and working on seating depth.
I really don't care about any data other than what the target tells me. ES is a good place to look for vertical consistency, but I would never put it before actual results on target. Many times they match. Sometimes, not so much. I believe this is largely due to the sample sizes we often use.
My guess is that any of the powders you are using have a particular powder charge and seating depth that your particular barrel will like. The fun part is finding just the right one.
And then once you do, you start questioning everything else, because we are never satisfied.

 

[Vin81]

I've shot Savages for 50 years and found that every one of them with factory barrels liked 0.015-0.018 off the lands.

Is there any other data you can provide? I’d love to tap into some of that knowledge.