Model 10FP in .223 and 77gr Matchkings.

[De41mag]

Just got back from a prairie dog shoot, and I thought that I would share this with you.
Last year I won in a door prize a box of 500, .223 Sierra Matchkings.
Well, I did not have a rifle with a 1 in 7 or 1 in 8 inch twist, like it says on the box.  But anyway I just bought about three months ago a Savage Model 10FP in .223. So I said what the heck, might as well give them a try.
So I started loading some of those 77 grainers with TAC powder. Started low and worked up the powder charge, and found the sweet spot. Sub MOA groups all the time, as long as I do my part holding the rifle steady on the bench.
Well I took some out west to the PD shoot. The wind was blowing 20 to 25mph most of the time. But when some guys were putting their .223's up and going to 22-250's or .243's I kept shooting with those 77 grain bullets.
Man can they buck the wind. I made several 400+ and 500+ shots.
Wanted to let you know that the Savage can handle the heavy bullets.

Dennis  

[The Sodbuster]

Glad they worked out for you.  I've got a Savage .22-250 with a 1 in 12 twist, but more recently got a Savage 16 in .223 with a 1 in 9 twist (I think, I'll have to double check).  So far I've only tried 50-55 grain bullets in it (that's all I have on the shelf at present; but, plan on getting some heavier bullets to try.

Others may know better than me; but, my understanding of how well a bullet bucks the wind is that it correlates with how long the wind acts on a bullet.  So if 2 bullets travel the same distance, the one with a faster average velocity will deflect less.  Note I said average velocity.  Heavier bullets don't necessarily buck the wind better than lighter weight bullets, but over extended distance (say > 400 yds), heavier bullets of the same caliber lose less velocity than lighter bullets.  Lighter bullets seem more susceptible to wind drift than heavier bullets of the same caliber because over long range they lose more velocity and the wind acts on them for a longer period than a heavy bullet of the same caliber that retains more velocity.

[Jim n Iowa]

I have a Savage tactical 10 in 223. Its a heavy barrel black and ugly, and I am still trying the right combo powder/bullet for it. I know the twist is 1:9. I started loading 52g Sierra match and I am up to 60 gr bullets now.  The rifle shoots ok for coyotes, but I am looking for tighter groups. In your 77 gr load that worked was it at the warm end of suggested loads?
Jim

[243tom]

Jim...you mentioned you're still trying to find a good load for the 10 fp. Mine shoots most any bullet that I've put through it well !  I've shot Ultramax Reman. 50gr NBT....Black Hills 52gr HP.....WWB 45gr...Federal American Eagle 50gr HP,,these all shoot a one inch group at 100 yds.
Now on the reloading side of things,, I've used H4895,,IMR3031,,Varget and Benchmark.  Bullets used were 40gr Vmax,,50 Vmax,,50 Rem HP,,55 FMJ (unknown brand) also tried some Sierra 50gr Varminter and Hornady SPSX in 50gr.
Of all the above components the vmaxes shoot consistantly best,,and right around 25 grains of any of the powders.  I use the Hodgden and Hornady manuals and stay within their specs.
I was very surprised at the groups I got from the 40gr vmaxes because of the 1 in 9 twist.......some groups were one ragged hole.
Hope you  find something to your and your rifles' liking.

[De41mag]

Yup Jim;

same rifle as mine 1 in 9 and ugly to boot, but it sure shoots.
Also, yes, the load is on the warm side but not max and my COL is 2.275" which is on the long side. But it's not touching the lands.
It will also shoot the Winchester White Box Varmit Pack, with the 45gr. JHP. And I've seen two other FP's shoot that factory load with the same results, one ragged hole at 100 yards.
As for 60 grainers, my shooting buddy shoots Hornady V-Max with 26.5 grains of Varget and a COL of 2.275. He really likes that load.
One thing to keep in mind, is keep those two sling swivle studs off the bags when shooting off the bench. It seems to affect the accuracy.

Dennis