.223 AI

[Phil McGrath]

Good carma, it pays to be a good guy… Long story short a small bolt face 700 receiver just landed in my lap with a Timney trigger. I was thinking of just going with .223 Wylde then I got too thinking about .223 Ackley?

For the barrel I’m thinking Bartline 5R finished at 24in should offer good speed with 69,77,80’s pills. I’m not chasing speed per sey but I would like to stretch it’s legs when the opportunity presents itself.

So the next question is chambering? From what I’m seeing the std. .223AI reamer has a FB of .0619ish so seating the 77-80 pills to 2.45 shouldn’t be any issue nor feeding from the box after adjusting the spacer in the rear. This should also give me enough case capacity for the 77-80’s.

Am I overthinking this or is this as easy as falling out of bed?

 

[William Vogel]

You’re right on target. I’ve got two and I actually throated them an additional 60 thousandths but you’ll enjoy the accuracy. Mine shoots 80 grains 3000 fps easily. I have 26 inch barrels.

 

[Phil McGrath]

Thanks, I’m really a .308 guy but this time I’m wanting something really different.

 

[neckdeep]

I acquired a custom 700 223 AI with rem varmint contour hart barrel 1;14 twist finished at about 27 inches several years back. It came with load data and several test targets. I fire formed a couple hundred pieces of IMI brass and recently broke it out for some serious Dogging. I wasn't sure if it would shoot 53 gr Vmax with that twist but it sure does and at good velocity (3530fps). That speed and bullet does a number on them, very solid acoustic hits with plenty of acrobatics. I like it so much I may build another with a 12 twist just to be safe on the 53 gr bullet, don't really see myself shooting the longer, heavier Vmax for anything. Anyone out there shoot this same bullet in the 223AI

 

[Phil McGrath]

For me this little brainstorm started about a month or so back, a buddy has one and let me shoot it all I wanted and I was amazed with the rifles accuracy even while FF the cases. Asked a few questions and got some answers, but the little voice in the back of my head said it couldn’t be that easy…..

Im a paper puncher not a hunter, however I’m very impressed with the little case. I did some wheeling and dealing and I have a small bolt face 700. I figured I would brainstorm my build so I stay on track and not get distracted.

Being a paper puncher I’m after a solid training type rifle that’s cheap/cheaper to feed than my big rig is, this almost seems too good to be true.