load for jumped .223 50-55 gr. bullets

[Ed333]

I picked up an old Sako A-I in .223, with heavy varmint barrel, which I have become quite fond of. So far my best groups at 100 have been with a starting load of IMR -4895 under a 50 gr. V-Max, seated at Hornady manual spec COL. I finally got around to using a Stoney Point gauge on it, thinking to play with seating depth, and found that with the bullet jammed, the bullet would not be safely seated. With what I believe is a 1:12 twist, I can't go to longer heavier bullets. So it is going to have to jump.
Any advice on the best powder/bullet combo for good groups at 100 yards? Or at least some good candidates?

 

[hrlincoln]

Berger has a 64gr FB (#22316) for a 12 twist that you might check out. Compare its specs with the V-Max...might be better suited for seating depth playing.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/pdf/Quick-Reference-Sheets.pdf

 

[Shynloco]

Ed,
Here's something worth a try....Sierra 53 gr Flat Based bullets beings pushed by BLC2 or even H335. I have zip experience with 12 twist barrels, but in 8 twist, the 52's and 53's produced excellent results at 100 yds in a Savage Low Profile .223 bolt gun. Another powder to consider is VVN140 with those bullets. I again have little experience with Sakos, but have seen them shoot very nicely at 100 yds with the 52, 53and even 69 gr bullets.

Alex

 

[joshb]

I have to agree with Alex. Try H335 and Sierra's. When I tried that combo, all my .223s shot much better. A Remington, 3 Tikkas, a Savage and a Stag 6 AR. It's my go to combo. They're all jumping. The only time I load a different combo is for a 7.5 twist with 80 Bergers. Then I use Varget.

 

[Ed333]

I have to agree with Alex. Try H335 and Sierra's. When I tried that combo, all my .223s shot much better. A Remington, 3 Tikkas, a Savage and a Stag 6 AR. It's my go to combo. They're all jumping. The only time I load a different combo is for a 7.5 twist with 80 Bergers. Then I use Varget.

I will try that...right now I find that 55 gr Berger flat base -target bullets over a starting load of Benchmark is looking decent, as is 60 gr VMax over N540 starting load. I am going to shoot the Bergers in a 100 yard match this weekend, we shall see....