can I have my Savage 12 F TR .223 rechambered to shoot 77 - 90 gr bullets

[Linko]

Thanks everyone. I will load some 80's when they come and report the findings.

 

[Linko]

Report:

Received a box of Berger 80gr VLD's today. I used the Hornady OAL tool. I measured both a Sierra 77gr MK and the Berger 80gr VLD.

The 77 measured between 2.349 and 2.353 I scored this at 2.350 coal
The 80 measured between 2.439 and 2.441 I scored this at 2.440 coal

The 77 left about .420 of the bullet in the case
The 80 left about .455 of the bullet in the case

Sierra loading manual recommends a Varget load: start 22.6 and Max 23.9 (max velocity 2550)
Berger loading manual recommends a Varget load: start 20.0 and Max 22.0 (max velocity 2718)

So I learned a lot doing this research.
The ogive curve of these two bullets being different lets the Berger seat longer in the chamber than the Sierra. ( Didn't realize that)
The longer Berger takes up more case volume (in my guns chamber) and therefore the recommended load is less.
There is less available volume for powder because of the base of the Berger bullet taking up space combined with the smaller charge actually increased the velocity. (didn't realize that either)

So based on this information I can plan to shoot the 80 bergers and benefit from the better balistics, correct?

 

[boltman223]

I just checked my old 223 barrel and I got almost exactly what you got measuring to the lands. My chamber is .071 freebore with about .020 throat erosion.

You findings are correct. The bergers do take up more case capacity. I had a mild load of 24.7 gr of varget with the 80smk's and averaged 2885 with a 28" barrel.

With my new barrel and .169 freebore 25.1 became a mild load at 2970ish. A friend of mine has a barrel chambered with the same reamer and gets 2950 with the 80vld's and 24.7 of varget.

I don't know what AOL berger and Sierra were using. Depending on what they did use that will change you max powder charge. Hodgdon shows 2.260 AOL for the 77's and varget is compressed at 23.7 grains. My guess is that 25+ grains won't be compressed. Along with the 80smk's.

If you have the time and money and you want to shoot the 90's lengthen the freebore. otherwise I think you will be just fine with what you got. I do like being able to take advantage of the extra room but, I'm still shooting my 80 smk's at 2885 with the new barrel, it just seems to shoot best there. The pressure is a lot lower though and my aol doesn't grow at all. I'm using H4895 now and haven't tried for a higher node, don't know if I will even bother.

Yes, The 80's will definitely do better than the 77's. 80smk's vs 80vld's, I don't know if there will be any noticable difference.

 

[Linko]

I just checked my old 223 barrel and I got almost exactly what you got measuring to the lands. My chamber is .071 freebore with about .020 throat erosion.

You findings are correct. The bergers do take up more case capacity. I had a mild load of 24.7 gr of varget with the 80smk's and averaged 2885 with a 28" barrel.

With my new barrel and .169 freebore 25.1 became a mild load at 2970ish. A friend of mine has a barrel chambered with the same reamer and gets 2950 with the 80vld's and 24.7 of varget.

I don't know what AOL berger and Sierra were using. Depending on what they did use that will change you max powder charge. Hodgdon shows 2.260 AOL for the 77's and varget is compressed at 23.7 grains. My guess is that 25+ grains won't be compressed. Along with the 80smk's.

If you have the time and money and you want to shoot the 90's lengthen the freebore. otherwise I think you will be just fine with what you got. I do like being able to take advantage of the extra room but, I'm still shooting my 80 smk's at 2885 with the new barrel, it just seems to shoot best there. The pressure is a lot lower though and my aol doesn't grow at all. I'm using H4895 now and haven't tried for a higher node, don't know if I will even bother.

Yes, The 80's will definitely do better than the 77's. 80smk's vs 80vld's, I don't know if there will be any noticable difference.

Boltman, thanks for the input.

So 80 SMK's or 80 VLD'S you think there isn't much difference? I don't have any experience shooting the VLD's, but sure read many comments about how great the VLD design is. I guess its back to what shoots best in your rifle.

Also I see you are using H4895. How does that perform for you compared to the go to Varget? I do see it available a little more than Varget, for sure.

 

[boltman223]

Yep, I was referring to the difference in wind drift at 600 for the two. About an inch in a 10 mph wind. You might gain a point here and there.

I could not find anything consistent with varget. H4895 is working great! I think it is shooting about the same as my other 223 that I used varget with. I've only shot two matches with it so time will tell.

 

[raptor1ronin]

Linko,

You can also Try 8208 XBR with the 80VLD. I currently use 24.3 Grns of XBR behind a 80grn
(Pointed) VLD with 2960 as my Vol. I have a 28" HV 5R 7.7 Twist Bartlein and it shoots amazing out to 600 and even shoots good at 1K. I was using the SMK which was a good bullet. I noticed when i pushed the VLD faster it seemed to respond better.

John