Savage 12VLP .233 ammo

[cstein]

At the risk of asking a question that seems to have been asked quite a bit, does anyone have specific experience with this model Savage? I have the 26' barrel with 1:9 twist. I have used Black Hills Reman 55g Vmax and get good 3/4' groups at 100yds but opens up to about 4' at 200yds. Seems as though I may need to get a little heavier bullet maybe but wanted opinion from someone with more experience than myself. Also, are there any suggstions on where to find ammo available?? Seems like everyone I have checked on either is sold out or doesn't have what I am looking for. I do not have equipment to reload myself so I need to find manufactured ammo......Guess my next investment should be reloading equip?????? Thanks much for any information. Happy shooting!

 

[Mikem]

I have the same rifle, but reload with 52g Sierra Match Kings, and it shoots about .5' groups at 100 yds. And have good loads with 69g bullets also. But I dont know of a better factory ammo than what your shooting, but you might try a lighter bullet, if you can find it, or even heaver, and try different Mfg, it might just help.
Good luck Mike.

 

[fdshuster]

cstein: Bought my first Savage mdl 10FP, pre-accutrigger in 2000, and my son bought his in 2007: literature included with both rifles, from Savage, recommends the 69 HPBT bullet as the first choice for accuracy. Over the years, and many thousands of rounds, the Sierra 69 gr. #1380 has consistantly been the winner. Both rifles are 1-9 twist.

 

[Taildrag15X]

I've had good results with Honady TAP 75 gr BTHP and Fed. Gold Medal Match in 69gr and 77gr through my 1-9'. It would still be best is to load your own, cost, reliabilty and most important ACCURATE for your rifle and better than anything you can just go buy.

 

[GentleBen]

IMO -- if you are not going to reload, then I would suggest you buy nothing but Black Hills in different weights until you find what you like. Black Hills is a quality round that won't eat your pocketbook alive.

By sticking with BH, particularly their new stuff, you know what you are getting from load to load, as opposed to shuffling through Federal, Winchester, Rem., etc. Their remanufactured ammo is also quite good. Either way, save your brass because BH uses quality brass,not Lapua, but very good).

I've seen BH offer weights from 50 all the way up to 77 using Hornady and Sierra bullets. Nothing will beat your well-researched and thought-out handloads in the future, but BH will make it easier on you until you make the switch.

Do some thorough research on the Web for BH ammo -- though not everyone carries is. MidwayUSA is a good place to start.

 

[GentleBen]

Geez, you're right. Hard to find BH these days. Glad I'm reloading. You need to seriously consider it ... go with Redding equip and you won't find yourself having to upgrade all the time.

And, yes, I shoot the same rifle as you. Most accurate .223 rounds I have found at 100 yds are the 40gr and 45gr VMax.

 

[k80skeet]

I have a Savage LRPV 223 1 in 9 twist is shoot very well with everything from 50gr Nosler ballistic tip,26.5) W748 through 77gr Sierra match kings. What it likes the very best is the 69gr Sierra Match kings and the Berger 70gr VLD's these shoot in the sub .2's with 25grs of W748 Federal 205M Winchester case Sierra's set .005 off lands and Berger set on the lands. I just got some Berger 73gr match I haven't shot them enough to tell how good they are going to be. I can say they are well worth trying in your rifle.,Gentle Ben) I have never tried anything lighter than 50 gr's but I will after reading you post. What are you using for a load? what about primer and how far off the lands?

 

[cstein]

First off, thanks to all of those who responded to my post, I really appreciate all the info and suggestions. I was finally able to get ahold of some ammo and got to the range the other day to do some testing. The ammo I was testing was Black Hills New 40g vmax, Black Hills Remanufactured 50g vmax, and Black Hills New 69g Sierra Matchking. Although the 40g and 69g grouped really well, out to 200yds I had my best 3 shot group with the Reman 50g vmax. A couple of questions. First off, when measuring 'group' size, do you measure from the outside of the holes measuring the two farthest points or do you measure from the center of the bullet hole? My best group from outside to outside at 200yds was 1.25 inches, which I was really happy with. My next question, because I didn't get to the range untill late, I didn't have time to do as much testing at 200 - 300 yds as I would have liked. At 200yds if I am 2.25 inches low, with a scope with 1/4 moa adjustments at 100 yds, would I need to go 9 clicks up to account for the 2.25 inches or is it only 4 since my understanding is at 200 yds my 1/4 moa clicks now are actually 1/2 inch adjustments? Thanks again for all the help and happy shooting!!

 

[Johnboy]

hello,just sight it in at 1 1/2 heigh at 100 annd it should be zero at 200.to your question.1/4 moa at 100 scopes move up a 1/4 every 100 you go up.100=1/4,200=1/2,300=3/4,400=1',500=1 1/4,and so on.hope this helps.
Johnboy