1:7.7/1:8 twist .223 sage rat ( digger squirrel) loads

[Sieg]

I've replaced the worn out 1:10 barrel in my AR with a 1:7.7 Krieger and added a 1:8 twist Tikka Varmint bolt gun to my sage rat rifle collection.

Looking for input on accurate explosive handloads for these twist rates. Ranges are usually 75-450yds winds typically don't get much over 20-25 mph gusts. The season is nearing and it's time to start building inventory!

FWIW I also shoot .17MH2, .17HMR, .17WSM, and .22mag.

 

[BradY]

Tikka try 55gr nosler bt and 8208xbr with lapua cases. Work up I found amazing accuracy above book max just keep an eye on pressure

 

[searcher]

The 53 V-Max and 55 Sierra Blitz King offer some of the best BC's in highly-explosive, yet very accurate lightweight bullets available which are all that are needed out to 450 yards - and keep recoil to a minimum for good follow-up sight picture. Experiment with RL7, IMR8208XBR, Accurate LT32. These have proven to be the perennial "wonder powders" among a few dozen .223's I've worked up accuracy loads for. If you don't have these - next best seemed to be H322, TAC, W748. I list these powders as what worked most often in the most guns and I think the only reason why more reloading manuals don't list them as the top accuracy loads might be due to case-fill or velocity. Of coursed - "decent" loads (or even the best in your particular rifle) can also potentially be had with the myriad of other great powders - Varmint, Varget, etc., etc. I forego max velocity for max accuracy as those little suckers are like ants at 500.

 

[Sieg]

The 53 V-Max and 55 Sierra Blitz King offer some of the best BC's in highly-explosive, yet very accurate lightweight bullets available which are all that are needed out to 450 yards - and keep recoil to a minimum for good follow-up sight picture. Experiment with RL7, IMR8208XBR, Accurate LT32. These have proven to be the perennial "wonder powders" among a few dozen .223's I've worked up accuracy loads for. If you don't have these - next best seemed to be H322, TAC, W748. I list these powders as what worked most often in the most guns and I think the only reason why more reloading manuals don't list them as the top accuracy loads might be due to case-fill or velocity. Of coursed - "decent" loads (or even the best in your particular rifle) can also potentially be had with the myriad of other great powders - Varmint, Varget, etc., etc. I forego max velocity for max accuracy as those little suckers are like ants at 500.

Thanks, I currently have 1lb stock in AR-Comp, Reloader 10-X, H322, CFE223, Benchmark, Varget, H4895, BL-C(2), and TAC. IMR8208XBR is on the buy list.

Should the 53g V-Max perform well in the 7.7 and 8 twist? Bullet makers seem to list minimum twist rate recommendations, but I've found nothing referencing faster twist rate applications.

I too prefer max accuracy over max velocity. I'll take barrel life over speed. One of the reasons I bought H322 was I heard it was very easy on barrels.

 

[searcher]

I shoot a lot of 50's, 53's and 55's out of 1-9 and 1-8 tw. barrels. Shoot great. Out of your powder stocks, I'd start with TAC, H-322, 10X in that order - then try the BLC-2, Benchmark, H4895 and Varget. The CFE is great for velocity but too much blast and accuracy very hit-miss. The loads I shoot are usually 1 to 2 1/2 grains off max. No worries of pressure in hot summer after proof-testing 1 1/2 grains higher than chosen load and easier on brass. The RL7 likes to run hot but is temp sensitive - so I'd drop down from max in your rifle a minimum of 1 gr.. Good that you are getting the 8208 as that is a great powder.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Thanks, I currently have 1lb stock in AR-Comp, Reloader 10-X, H322, CFE223, Benchmark, Varget, H4895, BL-C(2), and TAC. IMR8208XBR is on the buy list.

Should the 53g V-Max perform well in the 7.7 and 8 twist? Bullet makers seem to list minimum twist rate recommendations, but I've found nothing referencing faster twist rate applications.

I too prefer max accuracy over max velocity. I'll take barrel life over speed. One of the reasons I bought H322 was I heard it was very easy on barrels.

25.3 grains of AR COMP with a 52 Sierra is 3300 in my Kreiger 7.7 space gun.

Teeny bugholes.

 

[Sieg]

I shoot a lot of 50's, 53's and 55's out of 1-9 and 1-8 tw. barrels. Shoot great. Out of your powder stocks, I'd start with TAC, H-322, 10X in that order - then try the BLC-2, Benchmark, H4895 and Varget. The CFE is great for velocity but too much blast and accuracy very hit-miss. The loads I shoot are usually 1 to 2 1/2 grains off max. No worries of pressure in hot summer after proof-testing 1 1/2 grains higher than chosen load and easier on brass. The RL7 likes to run hot but is temp sensitive - so I'd drop down from max in your rifle a minimum of 1 gr.. Good that you are getting the 8208 as that is a great powder.

Thank you, appreciate the input. Temps are definitely a concern, thankfully in Central/Eastern Oregon in April and May it usually doesn't get over75*, though sometimes it will do this....

 

[Sieg]

25.3 grains of AR COMP with a 52 Sierra is 3300 in my Kreiger 7.7 space gun.

Teeny bugholes.

Feeling better about my 7.7 and 8 twists now! I bought a box each of Berger 52/55/60 Varmints hoping the 52's would shoot.

My (wish I'd never sold) 1984 Ruger M77/22-250 Varmint was an explosive laser with the Speer 52g FBHP.

 

[searcher]

Last time I was up there to shoot the rats, there was a blanket of snow the night before the first day of shooting. It created the toughest shooting ever. Tons of mirage (!), range finder reflected off the snow, providing useless ranging - and couldn't see any misses to adjust from. At around 700 yards - I shot like 20 rounds at one squirrel before he decided to go into his hole. New world record. I love those rats! Those Berger 52's are wicked in my guns with 8208XBR

 

[jepp2]

Should the 53g V-Max perform well in the 7.7 and 8 twist? Bullet makers seem to list minimum twist rate recommendations, but I've found nothing referencing faster twist rate applications.

You will know if you are spinning them too fast if they don't make it to the target.

I shoot more lighter bullets (up to 55 grains) than anything else. I find they do best in the 12T and for everything faster, it is just much harder to find a load that shoots well. I heard someone else say "the tuning window is tighter" and I felt that is a very good description. And I shoot 7T, 7.7T, 8T, and 9T in 223 beside the 12T I referenced, and my Coopers are 14T.

 

[Sieg]

You will know if you are spinning them too fast if they don't make it to the target.

I shoot more lighter bullets (up to 55 grains) than anything else. I find they do best in the 12T and for everything faster, it is just much harder to find a load that shoots well. I heard someone else say "the tuning window is tighter" and I felt that is a very good description. And I shoot 7T, 7.7T, 8T, and 9T in 223 beside the 12T I referenced, and my Coopers are 14T.

Fact!

If 55-60g prove to be more accurate that's ok.

Friend has a early Cooper 21 that shoots Berger 52g fueled with Varget to 10rd dime sized holes at 100, beautiful classic rifles.

If the light bullets don't work, I can use them in my XP-100 .223 with a 14T.