Savage Model 12BVSS

R

Reloader308

Inactive
Hi, new to the forum. I have a Savage model 12BVSS in .308 and starting to reload. I purchased a Hornady OAL gave to determine the distance to the start of the rifling. I came up with 2.805 to 2.810. Will this vary a bit from rifle to rifle? I had purchased a box of federal sierra 175 match king and the OAL is running at 2.800. I contacted Savage to see how much more room there wa before I contacted the start of the rifling and they would not provide this information. I have been loading to 2.775 to start with min. Powder loads to start. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
The 12BVSS is considered a nice out-of-the-box target rifle, and you're on firm ground with your choice.

SAAMI OAL length standards for the .308 Win call for an OAL of 2.490 min to 2.810 max, so you're in the ball park. The bigger question is your individual rifle, as they can vary somewhat from rifle to rifle. You've simply got to find what works in your rifle. Your Hornady gage should give you a starting point, but whether your rifle like a big jump or a little jump is something only you can decide.

Find the load that shoots best in your rifle, using one of several method's. Many of us here shoot Newberry's OCW system to find the optimal charge weight, then we start experimenting with seating depth and OAL.

Have fun in your quest. Experimenting with loads is one of the best parts of reloading.
 
The length and shape of the bullet will determine your max OAL for a given load. My Savage 10P-SR in .308 is similar to yours. Loads with 155gr AMAX bullets have a max OAL of 2.822, while the same load with 155gr Berger VLD's have a max OAL of 2.890. The measurement from base of case to the contact point of the bullets ogive to rifling should be nearly the same, while the longer nose of the VLD makes for a longer OAL measurement of the loaded round.
 
Savage 12 bvss

Thanks PS,
I made a similar measurement with a sierra MK 150 grain and the ogive measurement came out the same. When you mentioned different bullets did you mean different manufacturers? Thanks for your reply.
 
My reference to different bullets was different weight and different mfgs. But If you are measuring to ogive, then the difference will be miniscule. If measuring from tip of bullet to base of case (OAL) on a loaded round, that's where the different bullet weights, style, and mfg will have the biggest difference.

FWIW, the SAAMI specs are there to ensure that factory ammo is manufactured to tolerances that will allow the ammo to be chambered in all factory rifles, but is not indicative of what your gun/chamber will allow.
Some bullets/loads will shoot best with 0.00-0.02 clearance from bullet to the lands, where others will shoot best with .020 or greater jump from the case to the lands.

I start all my loads at .020 from the lands. Once I find a powder charge that is the most consistent, then I use the same charge and play with seating depth closer and farther from the lands till I find one that shoots better/shines above the rest.
 
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