80.5's, am I on the right track?

[jbpmidas]

I've loaded up a ladder test; new Lapua brass, GMM a primers, Varget powder, .015 jump. I loaded from 23.5 to 25.3 in .2 increments. Rifle is a Savage LRPV, 7 twist, McRee chassis, Timney trigger and NF 8-32x56BR. Thoughts?

 

[MrMajestic]

COL? ???

 

[jbpmidas]

Ogive is 2.026" I believe.

 

[MrMajestic]

Ogive doesn't help me with QL. The reason I ask is because most Savage factory tubes have long leads really opening up powder capacity. Just trying to get a handle on your maximum however the powder would be my choice. I prefer BR-4's over the 205M's as they seem to resist cratering on the generous firing pin bores on factory bolt heads better. Did you start at jam with your tests?

 

[jbpmidas]

I'll have to look back at my notes. This rifle, from my experience, has a short throat. I tried the 90BTLR's and could not seat them out far enough to get Varget up to 2650. A friend's F-T/r had a much longer throat. I am beginning at .015 jump. I don't like to jam any bullets if I don't have to.

I will run the ladder test this coming Thursday morning.

 

[manitou210]

24.7 works in my gun kissing


5 at100 yards



good luck
manitou

 

[jbpmidas]

Just measuring drop on my starting load, 23.5 should run 2775. I think I've got a good node, but the test was done at only 191 yards. I'm going to test 24.2 and 24.5 further. I'm .015 off.

 

[jbpmidas]

Manitou, do you know what velocity you are getting and would you give some details on the rifle?
Thanks!

 

[22BRGUY]

I'll have to look back at my notes. This rifle, from my experience, has a short throat. I tried the 90BTLR's and could not seat them out far enough to get Varget up to 2650. A friend's F-T/r had a much longer throat. I am beginning at .015 jump. I don't like to jam any bullets if I don't have to.

I will run the ladder test this coming Thursday morning.

FWIW....For many years I avoided jamming or even kissing bullets to the rifling and I had all of the "reasons" I was looking for to justify it.....until I finally tried it in a certain 22BR.....in that rifle I won't go back to jumping because the results on paper proved me wrong...just sayin.....Best Wishes

 

[jbpmidas]

I jammed VLD's in my Shehane and it was always in the back of my mind. I'd prefer not to, but I will let the rifle dictate. I don't shoot VLD's anymore either.

 

[manitou210]

Manitou, do you know what velocity you are getting and would you give some details on the rifle?
Thanks!

Action is a Barnard S, jewel at 7oz, Barrel Broughton 1/7 twist at 30.5" have JGS Reamer with 253 neck and long throat for 80.5 & 90gr Vld Bergers, Brass Lapua for 80.5 at 2950 fps seated kissing. for 90gr VLD at 2790 fps I use Lake City brass and jammed 15K + the only way they will work
unfired brass that I neck turn, do primer pockets,inside & out. Lake City has a much beefier web area and primer pockets don't get loose like old stock of Lapua, New Lapua 2013 is much better but I only use them with 80.5 Bergers and JLK 80s
I really like JLK 80gr but hard for us to get in Canada. Used the 90gr JLKs very very accurate but had quite a few blow-up something with jackets, friend had same problem.

I might save some members time when choosing powder for 223 I have tried 10 or more

Best Varget
very good was IMR 4895,VV N150 but never shot it a match because of heat
Rl15 spikes in heat,as well 2520, Stay away from 500 series Vihtavuori its bad in heat and hard on throats
basically stay away from any Double base powders if you shoot in warm warm days.
You can run very good against the .308win same wind drift as 185GR Bergers shooting F class at 900m.
I hope more shooters build 223 for F class and get there wives, children and grand children in to the sport
Kids will want and go shoot 223 no noise or recoil, .308 just scares them and hurts

Cheers
Manitou

 

[jbpmidas]

Thanks for the info! I am running Varget. I am happy with preliminary results. 5 shots .8076 CTC at 200 yards. The first 4 were much tighter. The 5th shot went high. Don't know if that was me or a new brass flier. I'm looking forward to developing it some more and feeling the recoil of this while everyone esle is lighting up 308's! I'll really look forward to rebarreling and really seeing what I can do with a little 223!