.223 bolt face cartridge choice

[Kevin1990]

I traded some work to a buddy, plus a little cash, for a transfer of a brand new defiance tenacity action (bought when they were under $1000) with a .223 bolt face.


I’m thinking of doing a 223 Rem or a .222 maybe?
Just shooting off bipod and rear bag off a bench or prone, shots would be 300 yards and in. Maybe very very rare occasion taking it out to 400.

What cartridge would be the easiest to tune and accurate for those ranges? What would you choose?

 

[JB10]

Im doing a 20 practical. Was thinking about the 222 also but brass was going to be an issue finding when i started gathering stuff.

 

[B y r o n]

Maybe this thread will give you a few ideas.

 

[LCazador]

No doubt I'd do a 222 with a 12 twist. You'll be able to shoot 55-60's to 300 yards and beyond. Very easy to tune a 222 too!

 

[nakneker]

222. It’s just easy to tune shoots most loads and bullets in the 45-60 grain range really well. Brass isn’t hard to find. Everything in the above response it spot on.

 

[Kevin1990]

I also like the idea of a 20 practical. Seems like a fun little cartridge. What brass are y’all using for a .222 rem?

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

204R is VERY easy to tune, handles wind better than the 223. 20p if you are worried about finding 250-300pcs of brass. If bullet cost matters, build for 40-55 gr vmax and 223/223AI. Run the 53gr for 300-400 yard shooting.

 

[nakneker]

I also like the idea of a 20 practical. Seems like a fun little cartridge. What brass are y’all using for a .222 rem?

I use Lapua but it’s hard to get, I also have and use Starline. Before that I used Remington, I’ve had quite a few 222s. If you want something a little more unique and zippy a 20-222 is easy and a ton of fun. Had one made last year, been shooting 39 grain Blitzkings out of it, fun to watch the impacts, that rifle is extremely accurate.

You have a really nice action, should make for a great set up.

222 Remington Brass - Small Rifle - Brass Cases

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Hard not to go 222 with that starline brass.

 

[harro]

Logic says just build a .223 because of simplicity of ammo and components and to be honest that is the best course of action.

Fun says build something different , a lot of the other suggestions involve going smaller in bore size but I’m going to be a contrarian and suggest going up in bore size .
6mm/223 or even 25/223 , sometimes it’s fun to go bigger and slower , but even then if you look at the 6mm223 ( 6x45 ) it’s actually more efficient than the parent .223 case with many projectile weights.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Easy button. 223 Wylde chamber. 8 twist barrel. Shoot any bullet you want from 50 to 80 grns.

 

[DaveTooley]

223AI shooting light bullets. Fast and flat to 300.

 

[snowpro440]

How about a 300 blackout ?

 

[5spd]

6x45, 9 twist, easy to load for, just about any load from 55to90g will be accurate.

 

[JohnHenry]

A 20-222.

FYI: http://www.saubier.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9548

 

[JB10]

6x45 is another fun one. I built one last year. I stuck with 58gr vmax for predators

 

[spaniel]

I don't have a bolt action 223, but I have a 20 Practical, 223AI, and 6X45. All out-perform 223 in their own ways.

 

[Kevin1990]

A bunch or good ideas guys. Thank you. The reason I’m leaning toward a 223 rem is because I have a WOA 223 upper, and as far as semi’s go, I don’t have anything that will touch that accuracy wise, 300 and in. I’ve shot some of my smallest groups ever with it (3 shot groups during load development.) just has me wondering what a bolt gun would do with a higher end barrel.

Leaning back towards a 222 rem because I’ve never heard a bad word spoke about one. What I just don’t like is that loss in velocity and that bullet drop.

20 practical just seems really fun.

 

[muleystalker]

Logic says just build a .223 because of simplicity of ammo and components and to be honest that is the best course of action.

Fun says build something different , a lot of the other suggestions involve going smaller in bore size but I’m going to be a contrarian and suggest going up in bore size .
6mm/223 or even 25/223 , sometimes it’s fun to go bigger and slower , but even then if you look at the 6mm223 ( 6x45 ) it’s actually more efficient than the parent .223 case with many projectile weights.

I agree, I like my 6x204, but a 6x45 or 6x45ai would be great also. all shoot great and even better barrel life than the .20's and .22's.

 

[Kevin1990]

I agree, I like my 6x204, but a 6x45 or 6x45ai would be great also. all shoot great and even better barrel life than the .20's and .22's.

Starting to research the 6x45 now. I have a 6br already, but why not another 6mm.