First Time Rifle Relaod. Success!! :)

[shakeyjake]

Ok, I'm kinda new to reloading. My first loading was for .38 special 125gr and it went bang not boom and I was happy. So now I've decided to move up to rifles. I have a Savage 12fv .223 1/9 that kinda shoots MOA with Fed 69 Match but folks have been telling me it's capable of better. I wanted to try 62gr bullet but I couldn't find any commercial match ammo so I decided to make my own. I found 62gr Hornady BTHP from Midsouth for 25.00 for 250 and I have some Benchmark that a coworker gave me. There doesn't seem to be much info on 62gr loading. With the help of the Hodgdon website I using a 62gr bullet recipe to start, I ended up with 21.3-22.5gr for the 62gr bullet. I loaded five shots for each loading here are the averages:

21.3-2767fps .81 in group
21.6-2828fps 1.5 in group
21.9-2887fps 1.08 in group
22.2-2940fps .76 in group
22.5-2948fps .51 in group

I'm happy with the results. Max load was 22.7 at 2948 but I achieved that with 22.5. I measured each load to the grain so I don't understand how I reached the max velocity? I am officially hooked I have more questions than answers. Like, why the difference in velocity increase is smaller on the two highest loads?
I won't bore you anymore. I just needed to tell someone who might understand my excitement. trust me, my wife did not.

target_image.jpg

[Divernhunter]

each firearm is different. Some have faster barrels and some slower using the same charge.
Since your group size gets smaller on the faster loads then move up to the higher charge. You will not damage the rifle.