Since Varget has been so scarce, it’s nice to have alternatives. I found a local range with VV N135 for $22 per 1lb jug. I bought 3 lbs to use for 60-69 grain 223 and 150 grain 308 loads.
I was trying to find an equal for my 69 SMK over 24.5 grains of Varget 223 load. I found a good one with 69 grain Sierras and N135.
Tested with 22.6 to 23.4 grains of powder in .2 grain increments.
22.8 and 23.0 produced the best results. So I then played with seating depth using 22.9 grains.
I shot 5 rounds each seated from .005 to .030 off the lands in .005 increments. All seating depths with the 22.9 charge produced 5 shot sub MOA groups. I was surprised to find that .03 off did the best. Usually .005 is what my gun likes with 60 or 65 grain bullets.
Savage 12 FV .223 26” 1:9 twist heavy barrel
Boyd’s Thumbhole Varmit stock
Harris bipod and Caldwell Mini X (rear)
Seals 8-32 x 50
69 grain SMK
22.9 VV N135
Starline brass trimmed to 1.75
FGMM primer
C.O.A.L. 2.258 (.030 off lands)
2984 fps
SD 12.7
ES 29
.44” 5 shot group @ 100 yards
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