Would like information on Savage Model 12's in 223 Rem w/7" twist

[rramsey]

I have a Savage Model 12 LRVP 223 Remington with a 9" twist factory barrel. It shoots 50gr to 73gr bullets great with several different powders from 100 yards to 400 yards. 50 to 60 grs bullets to 300 yds are great, 69, 70 vld, 73's all the way out to 400 yards are good. with this said my question is how does a 7" twist factory barrel perform with lighter bullets? Has anyone expended 50 to say 64 gr bullets to 400 yards and beyond.....say 600 or maybe 1000 ? My experience has only been to 400 yards. Thanks, Richard Ramsey, Westerville, Ohio

 

[MarkS]

Richard,

I had a older Savage 9 tw that would shoot 75gr Amax out to 1000yds with on problem, and had a Win m70 223 10 tw that would shoot Berger 70gr to 1000yds. I could hit 4.5" clays about half the time at 1000yds. I have a M12 LRPV now, with a 8tw custom barrel in 223AI and it does out standing to about 1150yds, where it goes sub sonic. It shoots 50gr Blitzkings great to 500yds +. The 7tw will shoot the 90gr bullets.

Mark Schronce

 

[wc872]

I had a LRPV .223 with a 7 twist that the most accurate load @ 400 yards was a 52gr. SMK & RL10X. I never chrono'd the load because as good as it shoot I wasn't going to change anything anyway. I find that the vast majority of my fast twist barrels regardless of caliber shoot the lighter bullets just fine. Having said that I have never shot any of the cheaper "bulk" bullets.
Semper Fi