I hit 3200 and change with the 150gr Partitions and Staball but it just wouldn't group for me. I have never gotten the 150gr Partitions to group to be honest, in 30-06 or 308. I couldn't find any 150gr lead free bullets when I was trying it out, just decided to stick with 180gr Accubonds.
I stopped into the local gun/small engine repair shop looking for primers a few days ago and happened to notice an older red pad M77 in the rack that looked pretty clean. I glanced at the tag and it looked like it said 495, but I never picked it up or looked too hard, I was struggling to stay on...
Before you creep up in powder, try a few once fired rather than new. You may just need to fire form your new brass. Or you may find out you need to add or subtract more powder once it's formed.
RL17 and the 225gr go together very well. Anywhere from 57-63gr and you'll love what you see. If you step down to 200gr class, look into H380, I've gotten my top speeds from those two powders.
I don't think the pressure difference will be enough to say one way or another to be totally honest. I think I understand the question, but to clarify, what are you turning your necks to for thickness? What is the application for the rifle? I turn a lot of my necks, but not for tight necked...
I always think the grey tips are Ballistic Tips destined for Lubalox coating that never gets coating. Either they run a bigger batch then needed or they are just never sent out as they get the machines dialed in. Could be wrong, but most silver tips I have received have a corresponding CT...
I'd take a good look at H4831, not the SC version. I use it on my 7mm Rem Mag and 150gr Sciroccos. It fills the case very well and dodges big temp changes just as well. I'm pushing them at 3100 fps with a 26" tube, I'm sure you could back it off a hair and hit your target goal easily. I'd start...
Do you know the twist rate? Factory rifle? If so, which one? Purpose for the rifle? I will always have a 7mm RM in my hunting rotation and have tried many different combos for hunting. I have more confidence in the rifle then i do myself.
I run three 200gr HotCor with 51.5gr of 2000MR in my 338 Fed. I'm not sure you'd get much more in the case then that. Very accurate load, probably going to take it out opening day Saturday to see if I can't bowl over a WT. I'm right around Alliant's velocity claim.
Edit: So I went out this...
I know this is a few weeks old but don't forget with a savage 223 they install a different bolt baffle to act as a stop so you have a shorter throw. Going to anything over about 2.350" OAL will mean getting a new bolt baffle without the stop. There is no difference between long and short action...