Need some load info for a Savage Model 11 223 with a 1 in 9" twist using the heavier bullets. I want to try the Hornady 75 gr. A-Max. What is your favorite load? Thanks for the help, Mark

23.5gr of Benchmark

Here are some results I've had with the 75gr. BTHP, Hornady match

24gr. Accurate 2230-C, avg. 2830fps. 10 shots you could cover with a dime at 50 yds.

26.5gr. WCC846, avg. 3050fps.4 shot 1/4" grp, 50yds.

24.5 gr. Accurate 4064, avg. 2825fps. 3 shot 3/8" grp.

24.5gr. H380,avg. 2675 fps.,3 shot 1/8" group.

So far that is all I got on a 75 gr. bullet, but the 69gr. nosler looks real good. roger

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..

22win: the 75Amax in a 1:9 will be an iffy deal for stabilization, some have reported success, but I personally know of one, and have read of others, that could not get them running true.

Seems the 75Horn bthp and the 77Sierra MK are both just short enough to work well in a 1:9, but the 1:8 or 1:7 are the recommended twist for the 75Amax and 80 MK or Nosler.

Sierra actually designed the 77gr to work in a 1:9 and meet the OAL for the AR15 mags.

22Win, The 75 A-MAX has worked fine for me in my Colt Accurized rifle = 24" 1 in 9 twist. The two powders which worked the best for me were IMR 4064 and VV 540, both with the F205M primer and Winchester brass. I did not need to shoot at full maximum charge to achieve stabilization. Accuracy was excellent to beyond 1,000 yards. Note however for sheer accuracy the Sierra 77 grain with IMR 4895 F205M and WW brass is at short ranges an incredible performer. I have not had a chance to shoot that combo at long range.

308 Sako: it was a Colt 24" 1:9 that produced keyholed hits with 75Amax and a stout load of Varget, yet it loves the 69 and 77gr MK's.
Just shows how rifles vary within even a given make...must have been a slow 1:9 the day this was made.

The 75 grain A Max does fine in a Savage bolt with a one in 9 twist....

An easy to load powder with the 223 case is H 380... it is considered a tad fast by some.. until you get to the heavier bullets....

28 grains of H 380 and a 75 grain A Max is a very very accurate load...

IMR 4985 is also a very good powder.. which I prefer even over Varget, which has no flies on it also....

after those choices, most any of the mid burn rate powders will do a good job for accuracy....

For what it is worth.. the 75 grain HP Match Hornady has proven to be more accurate in my 223s than has the A Max...which is pretty good in itself....

Best accuracy is in the 2800 fps range anyway... pushing to 3000 fps doesn't gain much, versus the potential for more problems...

cheers
seafire

Thanks Fellows,
I will try some 4895 and H380. I might even crack open my WCC846. Sounds like there are many more bullets to try. Most of the heavier 224 cal bullets I have are 63gr Sierra, 64gr Win PP and some 62gr SS109.
Thanks, Mark

Mulerider, I am very interested in that comment about stabilization in your Colt Accurized Rifle ! I was loading them LONG and firing them single loaded with contact to the rifling at about 2800 ft/sec's. I agree that the Sierra 77 is an impressive performer 23.5 IMR 4895 is well sub MOA for 10 shot groups. I got mine new in about 1998, perhaps the vintage is an issue. Better results, and good shooting.

With both the 69 gr. Sierra MK and the 75 gr. AMax N540 is the best powder I have found. H4895 was second. Some people like Varget but I had no luck with it at all. RL 15 works for some people.

PaPa 260

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Mulerider, I am very interested in that comment about stabilization in your Colt Accurized Rifle ! I was loading them LONG and firing them single loaded with contact to the rifling at about 2800 ft/sec's. I agree that the Sierra 77 is an impressive performer 23.5 IMR 4895 is well sub MOA for 10 shot groups. I got mine new in about 1998, perhaps the vintage is an issue. Better results, and good shooting.

308Sako: sent you a PM with the details of a pair of Colt Accurized rifles.

Papa 260: I had great luck with Varget, and RL15 did work well also for the heavier bullets. The V-V powders were hard to come by when I was active in HighPower shooting, but everyone that used them certainly recommends them.
And 4895..the versatility of that powder is amazing.

Yesterday I went into town to buy some 77 gr Sierra MKs at the local shop and they didn't have any.
But they just received a new Rock River Arms LAR-15 with an adjustable stock, I have been thinking I should look at an AR type rifle before the next election. Are RRAs reputable? I do not know where to start with all the options available!

My little brother has a Savage like yours and it shoots the 75gr. A-Max fine until you try to push it hard, it seems to like low velocity in his rifle. We have shortened the barrel to 20" and re-crowned it which made a big difference in accuracy (I'm pretty sure it was the 11deg crown) As soon as I get a day that it's not miserable to be outside I have some loads with the 75gr. A-Max to try in my 1-8 twist AR using RL15 powder and I'll see if I can remember to post what the results were. Later,

Kirk

While I love RL 15... it has not performed well for me in the 223 with the 75 grain A Maxes or HPs much to my disappointment....

I love it enought, that I feel I am getting low when I only have 4 or 5 lbs left on the reload bench...

cheers
seafire

Shot the 75gr Amax today over 23.5grs of IMR 4895
the groups were 3 inches @ 100 yds. It was windy but 25.9 grs of 4895 with the Sierra 55gr SPBT shot a 1/2 inch.