223 target rifle ?

G

geneinnc

Guest
I am wanting to find a 223 to use in 100 to 300 yards matches. I know there are better choices, but I have a twice repaired shoulder, and I'm fully set up to load for 223.



I really like the Remington short barreled tactical with the over molded stock.

everyone around here shoots .5 MOA.



The problem is the 1/9 twist. That will limit my bullet weight. All of the heavy bullets call for 1/7 or 1/8 twist.



Does anyone make a bolt action with that fast twist rate? I want to keep it stock so I don't have to go into the open class.



I'm I stuck with going to an AR target upper? (not like that is a bad option)



Thanks



Gene
 
Gene ...

Try some of Ronnie Cheek's 63 grain .224 bullets: http://www.rcheek.com/page2.shtml. The first time I shot them, the 31st through 35th bullets out of the box produced a .084" group from my Fred Moreo tricked up Savage Model 12 VLP single shot. ;)
 
I have a Rem 700 tac. I put a Choate John Plaster Stock and Burris XTR 312 scope, I shoot Sierra 69 matchking bullets with Vhitavouri n133. I shoot groups that can be covered with a quarter at hundred yards, and can consistantly hit golf balls at 200, I would not trade this rifle for anything, but I did get rid of the houge stock due to it would not totally free float, I think it would be possible to get another barrel with a twist rate.. Something to look into. Happy shooting.
 
geneinnc said:
I am wanting to find a 223 to use in 100 to 300 yards matches. I know there are better choices, but I have a twice repaired shoulder, and I'm fully set up to load for 223.
Click to expand...


Get a SAKO Model 75 or the new 85 Varminter - laminated stock and stainless steel.
Doesnt kick and my 75LV can shoot in the low two's when I get lucky:D
Im definetly not saying "in the two's all day long" so dont jump on me for that:eek:.
I said it cando it;)
 
As the proud owner of an artificial shoulder-- well two actually,
I can tell you that there is not a whole lot of difference between shooting a .223 rem using any load that could be close to competitive and shooting a 6ppc or even a 6 BR norma as shot in short range BR - assuming you shoot free recoil, which I've been told most people do, so it's not just me.

I have had some experience with shooting the .223 BR style and I can assure you that if you and I are both equally skilled shooters-- and I shoot the world's best .223 rem BR style rifle and you shoot a pretty darned good 6ppc or even a 6 BR, you'll beat me.

If you want to shoot for your own amusement and see how small a group you can get with a .223, you could spend a lot of money and get a worse shooter than if you talk to Fred Moreo at sharpshootersupply.com. He can build you a real shooter based on the new Savage target action. Hopefully by now he has a better barrel to offer than the Douglas. If not, you can get a Shilen select match barrel built for your gun from Jim Briggs at Northland Shooter's supply. Jim is a dealer for Shilen and can make you a much better price than you can get direct from Shilen.


http://www.sharpshootersupply.com/
http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php?topic=1076.0
 
I shoot a Remington XR100 in .223 with a Leupold FX-III scope. It'll shoot tighter groups than I can hold - no complaints about this little beauty. :)
 
Savage 12 is available in 1:7 or 1:9.
Should be very cost effective. I love mine for .223. I thought pretty hard about going with one of the Savage target actions for my .260AI but ended up going with a stiller as I wanted the Jewel Trigger.
 
Even the 1:9 with the 69gSMKs would do you well at those ranges. 26.0g of Varget within a couple thousandths and you will be good to go.
 
I shoot up to 69-75gr in AR with 1:9 twist bull barrel. AA2230 is ball and can be measured easily with a powder dropper. I also use Varget and R15, which can be problematic with a powder dropper. I load at home with a RCBS Charge Master.

Benchrest primer book had a nice 1:9 twist AR shooting 1/8in groups. It had a long barrel and they shot 69gr SMK exclusively. H322, W748, H4895, IMR 4895 and several other powders did well. They used Fed 205 primers with Remington brass. The rifle had a Wylde chamber.

Some guys can shoot the A-Max with 1:9 twist. However, I am using the 75gr Hornady BTHP.

Browning makes a 28in barrel .223 A-Bolt that is available blued or stainless with nice stock, etc. for ~$1200. Not heard of anyone shooting it though. Remington VLS or Savage 12 are pretty nice. They are all heavy enough to have marginal recoil in .223. The Browning is 13 lbs! I saw a nice mdl 12 used in .22-250 for $550. My dad got his VLS for 650$ from Wal-mart.

There's lots of parts for Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard on market. Triggers, stocks, etc.

AR-15 will tear up brass unless the gas system is disabled. After spending hours on prep, you may shed tears when a prized piece flies past your brass catcher and someone steps on it. This summer, I did informal matches for AR's only, and the best shooters had as much in their rigs as bench rest guys, and they were hitting 1/8 MOA just like the BR guys. One guy won with a .204 Ruger chambered custom.
 
Look for a Tikka T3, they have a 1-7 twist and can be had with a bull barrel.
 
They have one with 8" twist. found a SS T3 Varmint yesterday with 20 rounds through it. Should be here Monday;)
 
Savage 12 LRPV

I have a 223 Rem 1:7 twist Savage Model 12 LRPV (well actually two but one is a switch barrel gun). Both still have the factory 223 Rem barrels and shoot VERY well. I also have a Savage 10FP in 223 in a B&C stock with the factory 1:9 twist barrel.

They all shoot well under 1/2" at 100 yards and around 1.5" at 300 yards when I read the wind properly. I shoot 69 gr Sierra MatchKings in the 10FP.

BTW, one of the 10 LRPV is now shooting at 1000 ayrds with Berger 75 gr VLD's with a factory barrel and doing amazingly well.

I would unhesitatingly recommend the Savages for your use.

Happy New Year,
George
 
If you want a lesser expensive low recoil for 100/200/300 look for a good used BR rifle. You can usually find a nice XP100 or 40X Rem action rifle for around $1,000 that will come with a correct BR stock, trigger and a fairly good barrel. You can not buy the parts to put one shooting for less.

As to the barrel and chamber look for a 22 PPC Short, a 22 Waldog or a 220 Beggs. These will get the job done. For fun a 222 Rem with a tight neck is excellent.

The 222 brass and barrels last forever! Spend the $1,000 or so for one in a 40X and when you want to move on you can resell it for the same. Net cost is almost zero.

Good Luck
 
Gene

exactly what bullet are you wanting to shoot... ? that you think won't shoot in a 1~9tw... :confused:

BTW... how did you make out with your .243 problem ?

==============
700 pss 26" 1~9
 
70 & 80 gr bullets call of 1/8 or faster.
as for the 243, i have several lots to test. now if we can find a day above 40 degrees................)chill(

I don't think they would like a turbo action in the STOCK class either:D
 
If a fast twist .223 is what you are looking for, the Tikka T3 has a 1-8" twist and a bull barrel. I have shot both the Rem XCR and a Tikka, and would step over the Rem to get to the T3. Its not even close.

I was in the same dilema as you are in. Wanting to shoot the .223 on the bench with a factory rifle and trying to find something suitable. The only real answer for me was to get a barrel from Fred Moreo put on a Savage action in .223 with the 1-14" twist to stabilize the 52gr BR bullets. I havent ordered it yet, but that is what I will be getting. It wont classify as a stock factory rifle, but im not concerned about that.
 
223 w/ 69 gr.

Gene: Don't sell the 223 Rem. short with a 9 twist and the 69 gr. Sierra HPBT MatchKings #1380. That combination will perform in my 9 twist barrels to well beyond your 300 yd. distance. I only go to the 80 gr. with my 8 twists for 400 yds. and beyond, and if there is any wind involved. Many, including Kevin Thomas believe a long, heavy weight bullet will wash out a throat faster than a shorter, lightweight bullet, so that's another reason I don't use a bullet any heavier than is required to get the job done/ 55 to 60 gr. for up to 200 yd. 69 gr. to 300 (and maybe a little beyond), and 80 gr. for everything beyond 400.
 
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