.223 Varget 80 Hybrid Load node comparison

[Linko]

I am working up a load for a Savage target rifle. (model 12 F TR / 30" barrel). I am going to use Varget/Lapua/Berger 80 VLD (mistake in title, not a hybrid)

I checked several load manuals. there is agreement 25gr is max. (except Berger)

Hogdon 22.0 - 25.0
lee 22.0 - 25.0
Lyman 23.0 - 25.0
Berger 20.0 - 22.2

I realize most are conserative. I loaded several rounds and did some ladder testing. I believe I have two nodes to work and wanted to know if anyone with a setup close to mine has found similar nodes.

23.9-24.0-24.1 and 21.4-21.6-21.8

I am nowhere as experienced as many of you, and dont have a chrono to provide velocities. I am going to load some of these two ranges and then work the seating depths.

thanks

 

[eric n]

24.6 is my sweet spot in 2 different barrels cut with same reamer.
30'' 7 tw, .068 freebore, .020 past touch, 2895fps. I had another node at around 22 as well.
How does yours shoot?

 

[Cory porter]

I am working up a load for a Savage target rifle. (model 12 F TR / 30" barrel). I am going to use Varget/Lapua/Berger 80 VLD (mistake in title, not a hybrid)

I checked several load manuals. there is agreement 25gr is max. (except Berger)

Hogdon 22.0 - 25.0
lee 22.0 - 25.0
Lyman 23.0 - 25.0
Berger 20.0 - 22.2

I realize most are conserative. I loaded several rounds and did some ladder testing. I believe I have two nodes to work and wanted to know if anyone with a setup close to mine has found similar nodes.

23.9-24.0-24.1 and 21.4-21.6-21.8

I am nowhere as experienced as many of you, and dont have a chrono to provide velocities. I am going to load some of these two ranges and then work the seating depths.

thanks

I loaded 23g 4895 with 80g Amax at the lands and they shot great. Going to try some varget Sunday. Amax are cheap it's worth a shot

 

[T.Rhodes]

I've had 1/2 moa groups with 22.5gr Varget and 77gr Lapua Scenars...but only used out to 200yards. I'm setting up an OCW test starting at 23.8. Not sure how high to go - book says at 25.0 it'll be compressed. Really don't want to do compressed loads.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

There have been some reports of throat variations in the Savage F-TR such that different OALs are needed to reach the lands in different rifles. The one I load for required 2.520" OAL for the older (unpointed) 80 grain SMKs, but 2.490" OAL seems to work better for the newer (pointed 80 SMKs). At OALs so much longer than SAAMI spec (2.260"), the cartridge can use more powder and still be at a reasonable pressure.

The Sierra manual has loads listed for the 80 SMK and an OAL of 2.550" which is closer to realistic for OALs close to 2.5" than SAAMI spec length loads. QL also gives very reasonable results.

But the bottom line is OAL is a key part of the conversation. The rifle I am loading for likes 23 grains of Varget. Pressures are moderate. Brass lasts a long time. Load gives 0.5 MOA at 100 yards, and scores are very high.

 

[Heman]

25.2 gr of Varget or 25.0gr of IMR4895 or N140. Works with 80 VLDs but also the 90s in my palma rifle.

 

[DBLNUT]

I am working up a load for a Savage target rifle. (model 12 F TR / 30" barrel). I am going to use Varget/Lapua/Berger 80 VLD (mistake in title, not a hybrid)

I checked several load manuals. there is agreement 25gr is max. (except Berger)

Hogdon 22.0 - 25.0
lee 22.0 - 25.0
Lyman 23.0 - 25.0
Berger 20.0 - 22.2

I realize most are conserative. I loaded several rounds and did some ladder testing. I believe I have two nodes to work and wanted to know if anyone with a setup close to mine has found similar nodes.

23.9-24.0-24.1 and 21.4-21.6-21.8

I am nowhere as experienced as many of you, and dont have a chrono to provide velocities. I am going to load some of these two ranges and then work the seating depths.

thanks

My load is 24.75 of Varget with a 80VLD jumping them .015. 26" 8 twist barrel gets 2900fps.. Lapua brass lasts a long time in my gun. I have went up to 25.50 without damaging brass. My freebore is a .078 but I am having a new reamer ground from JGS with .150 freebore, this will get the base of the 80VLD above the donut and still fit in a AI magazine with an OAL of 2.530.

 

[MGYSGT]

In my Savage Target I have shot 25.5 Varget with 80's but it is very hard on the Lapua brass I used. I have settled on 23.7 for accuracy. It will consistently shoot all 10's with an average X count in the mid teens at 300 yards. Given of course I don't choke and the wind cooperates.

 

[Linko]

My load is 24.75 of Varget with a 80VLD jumping them .015. 26" 8 twist barrel gets 2900fps.. Lapua brass lasts a long time in my gun. I have went up to 25.50 without damaging brass. My freebore is a .078 but I am having a new reamer ground from JGS with .150 freebore, this will get the base of the 80VLD above the donut and still fit in a AI magazine with an OAL of 2.530.

I am going to look for another node up in the range of 24.7
thanks

 

[swadiver]

Try H4895

 

[Linko]

Try H4895

I do have 4895. How does it perform for 223? I havent used it before. I bought some during the 3 year obama ammo crisis.

 

[swadiver]

seating depth test with 23.0 H4895 and 80.5 Berger Fullbores in a .223 bolt rifle.

 

[eric n]

I've been struggling with vertical lately so I did a load work up today at 100. This barrel is tired so don't laugh too hard.... It may give you some insight to how big the node windows are however. The circled ones are my go to loads, still not sure why they are putting up 6" of vert at 600 when they used to be better then 3.

 

[jdj71]

View attachment 1000988 I've been struggling with vertical lately so I did a load work up today at 100. This barrel is tired so don't laugh too hard.... It may give you some insight to how big the node windows are however. The circled ones are my go to loads, still not sure why they are putting up 6" of vert at 600 when they used to be better then 3.

hey Eric your circled groups are the smallest but bottom line second from left group is horizontal, two in one hole and one next to it.You are fighting vertical right? Good luck JD

 

[eric n]

hey Eric your circled groups are the smallest but bottom line second from left group is horizontal, two in one hole and one next to it.You are fighting vertical right? Good luck JD

The circled ones have the lowest ES and day in/out cut the wind better... I played with the 24.8 in the past. Maybe things have changed a bit, this barrel has 4k+ and hasn't been treated kindly. I will load up 10 and check them tomorrow if I can get out.
I think I should be looking at 24.4. I shanked 2 of them verticaly and wasn't holding for wind.
Anyway... I thought it might help you with your seating test. You can watch the groups open then close with .003 changes.
Good luck