Have a Savage Predator 10 223 with 1-9 twist. What grain bullet would you say will shoot the best? I have 40s to 69s and what anchors a woodchuck under 250 yards for the fields I hunt.
If you get lazy or pressed for time (and IF you can find any now), Fiocchi Extrema 40gr VMaxes blow the bejabbers outa chucks. About $20-$22 per box of 50. I think they load 50s too. US-made.
40 grain handloads work also, this is a five shot group at 100, gun is getting boring. I was questioned here awhile ago when as I said I had a 1/2" gun. I was wrong, it's way better. Ugly Savages matter. 1-9 is wonderful. Now if my buddy would cut fields I'd be set. I'm still fire forming the LC brass and can't wait to see what neck sizing does. Only 800 more to fire.
I have a Savage 223 rechambered to 22-204(think 223AI+ with no fire forming) with a 1-9 twist and dotes on 40gr NBT's and is my goto rig for pelt hunting in the winter.
Last dog of the season, crappy fur but was testing NBT Lead Frees
I've got a CZ 527 heavy varmint in .223 with a 1:9 barrel. I've settled on Sierra's 55 gr HPBT GK...not the best BC but they sure make the whistle pigs puff up and roll over when you hit 'em. I've got a few hundred Nosler 62 gr FBHP Varmageddon to try next.
I've ran 73gr eldm's with pretty good success. I also tried the 77TMK and was surprised it stabilized and shot well at 100 yards, but fell apart at the 400 yard range. Groups were extremely poor and bullets were obviously not stable. I wouldn't trust the 1 in 9 for shooting the 77's and heavier/longer pills... I've also had excellent luck with the 53gr v-max. 69gr sierra's work well near and far. My experience with the 1 in 9 ranges from the Ruger m77 mk2 varmint .223 and Ruger hawkeye .223 and also a Savage predator similar to the OP's. However, mine is the original predator. Not sure if the OP's is or not? My buddy has a new predator that does not shoot nearly as well as my old one..
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.
I've only had my 1-9 CZ for 4 years, but to date the stars for accuracy are: 40gr Varmageddon and Blitz King, 53gr Varmageddon, 65gr Game King and 69gr Match King. Several others are plenty accurate for a 250 yd coyote (don't have many groundhogs here). The real star for less-than-deer looks to be the 53gr. I have several others to wring out including Ingwe's favorite 63gr Sierra and 75gr Hornady BTHP. All in all, I'm finding this to be a very versatile rifle.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
My Savage loved 69 GR HPBTs over RL15 which clover leaves beautifully and punches big holes in coyotes can’t imagine them being different than woodchucks.
Looks like 246 is finding his new toy dines well on everything. Buddy has one, the "accustock" version. It's a ray gun, I'm jealous because it's never been out of the stock, not massaged in any way, it
just
plain
SHOOTS.
Up hills slow, Down hills fast Tonnage first and Safety last.
My Ruger Hawkeye shoots 40 gr Nosler BTs and 65 gr Sierra GKs very well. H335 and BR4 primers. I used the 40’s for years till pigs showed up. I moved to the 65 gr GKs.
I ran the 75 grain Hornady HPBT out to 400 yards and it did well.
Thats good to know. Care to share the load? My experience with the 77gr was less than fabulous: I mean all over the place at 400. I have tons of 75gr HPBT I could try though..
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.
I have the Savage 10 Predator 1\9 also. Just started reloading a couple weeks ago , but my best load I have found is with 24 gr IMR 4895,Sierra 60 gr TMK,s, Federal match primers and Federal brass. Worked several load doing the ladder and 24 gr was my best. Chronied 2976 fps. Shoots sub 1\2 moa if I do my part. Never shot over moa at 100 with any load. The Predators will shoot for production guns!Dot is 3\4 "