223 Savage Model 12 What to do?

[markT]

I've got Savage Model 12 in 223 that I've had for a number of years. I bought it as a "loaner gun" for ex brother-n- law to use while we shot prairie dogs. I loaded up 40 g Vmax's with H322.. I never really was happy with the groups.
I just bought (300) 53 gr Vmax's and (300) new Winchester Brass. Planing on using H322.. to see if it will shoot any better and produce "show dogs" @ >300 yds. Any suggestions? Advice?

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

Give Ramshot Tac and some of the 55 grain varmageddon bullets a try. That combo was awesome in my Savage 223 barrel that was rechambered to 223ai.

 

[stacy]

ALL YOU NEED NOW IS SOME IMR-8208 AND YOU'LL BE SET FOR THOSE 53 GR VMAXS !!!!!!!

 

[A_Gamehog]

I never got your barrel twist ?

Stacy's post above says it all , I agree.

a 1-14 will have trouble with a longer 53V-max.
1-10 or faster works well.

work up to 24 grains with your H322 if no pressure shows

 

[markT]

It's the Factory bbl and I don't know the twist. It's a SS single shot right bolt right port. Fluted Bull bbl. (Varmint) Purchased around 2001-2004.. can't remember exact year. Has a laminated wood stock ( no thumbhole)

 

[Terry]

It's the Factory bbl and I don't know the twist. It's a SS single shot right bolt right port. Fluted Bull bbl. (Varmint) Purchased around 2001-2004.. can't remember exact year. Has a laminated wood stock ( no thumbhole)

They Made 1:9 and 1:7. It should be stamped on the barrel.
I own both. They shoot great.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Son has a Savage 12 in 223. We use H335 and 52 Sierra match bullets. Shoots tight.

 

[markT]

I looked all over the bbl and didn't see the TW rate. I put a patch on a cleaning rod and measured when it made 1 revolution. Appears to be ~1/9.. Don't know if that is accurate a way to do it.. but.. only way I could thunk of..

 

[linedrive301ft]

If it is a 1/9 twist it will easily shoot the 68/69 grainers. My Sav. 12 shoots the 77's with good accuracy.
Load up, shoot and have fun with that rifle.

 

[markT]

I'm thinking the 40 gr Vamxs were too light weight. I was thinking it was 1:12 TW.. so the 53 gr Vmax's should perform much better..

 

[jpx2rk]

I have a Cabelas version (12FV) 26" heavy barrel and it's a 9 twist. Mine seems to prefer the lighter bullets (50g's) but I don't have a load nailed down yet.

 

[Txhillbilly]

The older Savage 12's were a 1-9 twist. Mine likes to shoot almost any bullet weight from 55-75 grain. It loves the 55 & 60 grain Hornady V-Max and Nosler ballistic tips with H335 or BLC2 powders.

 

[5spd]

53g vmax with 10x, w748, blc2, tac, h335, xterminator all = sub moas.
Never tried h332 though.

 

[r bose]

Mine was a 9 twist and shot 55g Blitzkings great.

 

[Idaho-45]

markT, I also picked up an older Savage 12, & I have a newer Remington 700 5R, both with a 1-9 twist rate. Both rifles shoot the 53 grain V-Max ( my personal favorite ground squirrel bullet) very well using Varget powder. I've not tried H-322 in either of them with that bullet , tho. Many folks seem to have good luck with the 53's , & Benchmark, & 8208xbr powders. Good Luck finding a load! Idaho-45

 

[Greyfox]

I've shot many thousands of 40gr Vmaxes through 1-9 twist Savages. The prairie dogs didn't like them but I did/do. If I'm ordering new I get 1-14" twist, but I never had an issue with a 1-9".
Also, saw you other post about 223-223AI. Don't waste gunsmith $$ on a factory barrel. Last time I checked you could get a Criterion for around $300. I've had/have several and they all shoot great.

Rick

 

[CaptainMal]

Have the same thing Use CFE223 and 55 gr. Dogtown bullets. Makes small holes at first and then makes them a bit larger the more you shoot through the hole.

Darn Savage factory barrels are hideous rough and copper foul like a proverbial "copper mine". That CFE 223 stuff works and just may contribute to continues good shooting.

 

[Ned Ludd]

H322 is a fantastic powder for .223 Rem, very small and uniform grains, and low temperature sensitivity. I use 22.5 gr with with 80.5s in a relatively short-barreled F-TR rifle that doesn't have much freebore, hence the faster than typical powder for that bullet weight. It's capable of very good velocity and precision.

 

[Barrel Nut]

I like Sierra MK 69gr bullets with IMR 8208 XBR for my similar Savage.

 

[sundance]

I shot out 2 223 barrels that had 9 twists with 40 gr vmaxes and they were pretty accurate for factory barrels.