flatback 223 long action what twist?

[ttfreestyle]

hey i traded for a older flatback savage 223 that is a long action . what twist did savage do in their 223 around 1989, i tried my 69 smk load that shoots great in my 9 twist and it keyholed at 100 yards so im guessin its a 12 twist. anyone got good load to try?? thanks

 

[Taildrag15X]

Running a cleaning rod through it with a patch can get your twist rate, mark you cleaning rod every 1" it will get you close.

I had a sporter barrel from around that era that was 1-9" while a 112 "J" varmint barrel was 1-12".......

 

[ttfreestyle]

ok looks like its a 12 twist , all my load data is for the 69 smk in 223. what now, do i go to the 50 grain bullets and what powder?

 

[acloco]

Actually, you can run up to 62 gr bullets in your 1:12 twist.

I run Benchmark with bulk 55 gr SP from Midsouth.

Or.....buy a new/take off Savage 1:9 twist barrel. Take about ten minutes to replace the barrel.

 

[Laurie]

52/53gn match bullets are your best bet in a 1-12". There are some short but heavier models like a 64gn HPM flat-base that Berger used to make that will stabilise, but there's not much benefit in using them over a good 52gn match model. The Sierra MK and Hornady A-Max boat-tail models are usually worth a try. I can't comment on Berger's match bullets in this weight category, but their heavier bullets for fast-twist barrels perform very well indeed. Hornady and Sierra also make flat-base 53gn HPMs that go back to the glory days of .222 Rem as a bench rest cartridge that are always worth considering.

Powders? You're spoilt for choice! I like Viht N133 with 52s, but there's N135, Hodgdon Benchmark, H322, H335 and H4895, Alliant Re7 and Re10x, AA-2015 and 2230, and no doubt a bunch more. H335 is a widely favoured powder that usually gives high MVs and good accuracy with this bullet weight in the cartridge. Use a magnum primer throughout for the thicker cup.

Just remember .223 is a short-range cartridge in this guise. It'll hit the x-ring at 600yd OK, but it's badly wind affected beyond 250yd and you'll struggle against a half-decent .308 Win loaded with 155s beyond 200 or 300 unless you're shooting in a flat calm.

 

[ttfreestyle]

thanks for the info, this rifle is going to be to carry around the farm so shots will be 300 or less. ill use my 6br and 6.5x284 for the long stuff. think ill give benchmark a try since never used it, think i have some 50 grain v maxes somewhere ill try these til can get some 52 or 53.