Stay with .223?

M

model14

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I know I will be unable to resist installing a BR quality barrel on my Rem 700 .223 VLS this winter. The question is whether or not to change calibers. I strictly shoot 100 and 200 yard BR for fun and the challenge of achieving smaller groups as my skill improves. To date I have experienced some good 25-shot aggs in the mid 3's, but it looks like I will be unable to do much better than that with all stock components. I can't afford more than a 500-600 expenditure. Would you change calibers at this point, or just stay with the .223? The obvious advantage of the .223 is lower reloading and component costs. Will I see a significant improvement in going to one of the BR calibers? What would you suggest? The barrel change and rechambering cost will be the same as I see it. I already am using an excellent Rifle Basix trigger and I love my VLS stock. Thanks in advance for your opinions and ideas.
 
along the lines of thought i've had similar to yours i ask myself...
how can i improve it..
"did you" ... bed the action, float the barrel, what scope are you using 1/4 moa or 1/8 moa, my reloads can there be a better combination how many rounds down the tube... bench equipment can i improve techniques... will i find a better shooting rifle/barrel then i have now, maybe buy a whole another rifle would be better an sell the least accurate...
maybe i'm bored at 100 & 200 yrds why not experience further ranges...

:)

Rem .243 VLS vb 26'' 1~9.5 basix weaver 35X 1/8moa
 
If you're going for a new barrel...........

why don't you chamber it for .222?? The charges are less, it IS a very accurate cartridge. And, if you're using good quality brass now, you can run it through the new die, and trim it off. You may want to stick with the 12 twist, though, it will allow you to shoot 55-62-64gr bullets. Just a thought. ;)
 
I have pondered the same question myself. I really like the .223, have lots of loads and data, some good dies, and a good place to start. When I replace the barrel on my Savage, it will be another .223 in 1-14" twist for the 50-52gr Match bullets.

The thing that makes my decision easy is that I already have a very accurate 30BR. Otherwise I would be trying to figure out whether to build a 6PPC or a 22PPC.

There are pros and cons to every cartridge, and fimiliarity with the .223, plenty of powder and bullets on hand to get started, it was easy for me to decide.

Good Luck with whichever route you go.
 
Model14

model14 said:
I know I will be unable to resist installing a BR quality barrel on my Rem 700 .223 VLS this winter. The question is whether or not to change calibers. I strictly shoot 100 and 200 yard BR for fun and the challenge of achieving smaller groups as my skill improves. To date I have experienced some good 25-shot aggs in the mid 3's, but it looks like I will be unable to do much better than that with all stock components. I can't afford more than a 500-600 expenditure. Would you change calibers at this point, or just stay with the .223? The obvious advantage of the .223 is lower reloading and component costs. Will I see a significant improvement in going to one of the BR calibers? What would you suggest? The barrel change and rechambering cost will be the same as I see it. I already am using an excellent Rifle Basix trigger and I love my VLS stock. Thanks in advance for your opinions and ideas.
Click to expand...

Here's an option: Chamber a slow turn Krieger barrel for light turned Lapua brass. Give yourself .0015 total clearance with a bullet seated. Use custom made bullets by either Bart Sauter or Ronnie Cheek. Primers: whatever you can get. Try some Varget powder. I got excellent results with it. Call Ronnie or Bart for bullet weight and Dave Kiff at Pacific Tool and Gauge for the reamer size. Have fun. :)
 
Think about a 20,.... Tac 20, 20 Practical, 20 Vartarg, or a 204 Ruger. Also Lapua brass for .223 Rem & Tac 20, so staying where you are ain't a bad idea. IF you decide to stick with .223 might consider trading your Remmy for a LRPV, I own one in 223, use Lapua brass, with the Target Accu-trigger and the single shot action stiffness and the heavy barrel it is amazing, my records are in the garage and it is late, but Benchmark and H335 gets it down into the .2's. My Hall B Tac 20 shoots in the mid to high .1's. The Krieger barrel will spoil you if you go that route and it is a good step if you stick with the Remmy. Good luck and enjoy regardless of your decision.
 
14, My wife and I reload and shoot several thousand .223 rounds each spring. Unless you want to spend lots of $$$ and shoot very few rounds stick with the .223. If you go through all of the steps that a BR shooter goes through with his brass and ammo you will be able to decrease the size of your groups. However you will spent lots more time at the reloading bench and lots less time at the shooting bench. Your choice. .223 brass is really easy to get compared to 220 Russian.

Don
 
Stick with...223

brian roberts said:
why don't you chamber it for .222?? The charges are less, it IS a very accurate cartridge. And, if you're using good quality brass now, you can run it through the new die, and trim it off. You may want to stick with the 12 twist, though, it will allow you to shoot 55-62-64gr bullets. Just a thought. ;)
Click to expand...

I too have a BIG soft spot for the sweet little .222... Highly recommended...

But...

As you said.."I strictly shoot 100 and 200 yard BR for fun and the challenge of achieving smaller groups as my skill improves"... No need for faster twist barrel or heavyer bullets...

Your familiarity with your gun is real important..! The cartridge as well.

Stay with the .223 with a 13.5 or 14 twist custom hand lapped barrel with a .250 light turn - or - .252 no turn neck and WONDERFUL Lapua .223Match brass.
Custom hand made bullets....

AND...

Wind flags... IMOP 14.... You just can't CONSISTENTLY agg < .400 without LOTTSA practice with a KNOWN >>ACCURATE< gun over wind flags..... Can't be done and I argue this with ANYONE.


Buy or make a forend 3" stabilizer so it'll track in your bags and buy a 3" protector bag for your front rest.

You'll be shoot'n <.4000 aggs with much more regularity...
Caution though... Sounds like a real Benchrest gun is in the cards cause you'll just have to shrink your aggs way more.....;)

Have fun..!
cale
 
I would save the $500 and continue to use your current rifle as a learning platform. Continue to go to the matches, watch the stool shooters, talk to them, see what they do and try it out with your rifle. Learn any and all precision reloading tricks you can. And then, when you think you are at the top of your game with the equipment you have now, jump in and get wet all over. Using the knowledge you've gained at the matches, buy a full grown match rifle. Sell the rig you've got now when you're ready to move up. The fact that you've put a match grade custom barrel on it might make it sell quicker but it won't do much for the price so don't bother. Use that money for upgraded reloading eq.
I don't think you'll be happy until you have a full grown BR rifle and so why frustrate yourself --to say nothing about the money-- trying to make an excellent Remington rifle into something it ain't. :)
 
Believe me, I am reading and digesting all you guys have to say. Thanks for the input. I have a few months (4) left before winter and I have to make up my mind. I talked to the best GS in our area today. He will true my action, sleeve my bolt, and install a custom chambered Schillen for $750. I can just afford that, but what caliber to choose is eating me up!

In any event, if I change calibers, I will keep my .223 VLS intact. It is too good a shooter to modify.

I have started a new thread about caliber questions.
 
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