62gr ELD VT -223 -Reloader 15.5

[Hoekight]

Picked up a savage model 12 target rifle in .223 (7 twist). Waiting on a reamer to give it enough free bore for the 90 vld’s. I decided to try the 62 gr ELD VT in it just to send a few down range with it. I had some federal brass fired from factory loads in another rifle so I used it. I had a can of reloader 15.5 that was almost gone so there was my go juice. I shot several charges seated at .009 off touch. MAN was i pleasantly surprised. Five shot groups in one ragged hole. The velocity with RL15.5 was 2994 with 24.7 grains and 3025 with 24.9 out of a 30” barrel. I tried two more powders (shooters world match-n140) both at the same seating depth. They shot equally as well. Those things were no work to shoot. The exception is, and maybe it’s just this rifle, but when they get over 3100fps the groups go big in a hurry. Who knows how it might shoot if I used fire formed brass and a lot steadier bipod than I was using. Happy shooting.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have a 7T Savage as well with OEM barrel, I use 68g BTHP's and IMR 4064, FC brass with good groups.

 

[Lefty2506]

I get about that velocity with a 75gr ELD and a 26" tube. From what I can gather, you need to get up closer to 3400 fps before the accuracy comes back and that requires more case volume than what you can get starting with 223/556 brass. Still encouraging to get that kind of accuracy at 3k out of a 223 though. Its a real shame Savage has never designed something to run a good 2 stage match trigger. They would have killed Remington decades ago....

 

[Savagenut71]

I've got a 9 twist LRPV in 233 that loves 70 grain and 73 grain bergers on top of varget