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223 build options

Fast14riot

Fast14riot

Gold $$ Contributor
So, as it turns out, the only 223rem I own is my NMA2 AR15 service rifle. I enjoy shooting some fun matches on a silhouette range occasionally, and thankfully with irons I'm still in the running against scoped 24" heavy barrel ARs and can hold my own using thrown charges of RL15 in mixed LC brass with cheap PRVI 75gr bthp bullets.

I'd like a cheap bolt action 223 built into an accurate range toy, not anything specific pertaining to rules, nor anything like a full-on F/TR gun either. An honest half moa to 500m, even if needing careful loading is perfectly fine.

My options include a Howa Mini barreled action, new bolt and remage barrel for one of my 700's, or whatever may be suggested by y'all for an inexpensive build.

I have spare AR15 parts sitting around, but with 3 match grade ARs (2x6.8spc, 1x5.56) and lackluster trigger options, I'd rather go bolt. Yes, my 6.8spc guns outshoot most peoples 5.56 guns, but I'm wanting another 5.56/223.

What say you?
 
Fast14riot said:
So, as it turns out, the only 223rem I own is my NMA2 AR15 service rifle. I enjoy shooting some fun matches on a silhouette range occasionally, and thankfully with irons I'm still in the running against scoped 24" heavy barrel ARs and can hold my own using thrown charges of RL15 in mixed LC brass with cheap PRVI 75gr bthp bullets.

I'd like a cheap bolt action 223 built into an accurate range toy, not anything specific pertaining to rules, nor anything like a full-on F/TR gun either. An honest half moa to 500m, even if needing careful loading is perfectly fine.

My options include a Howa Mini barreled action, new bolt and remage barrel for one of my 700's, or whatever may be suggested by y'all for an inexpensive build.

I have spare AR15 parts sitting around, but with 3 match grade ARs (2x6.8spc, 1x5.56) and lackluster trigger options, I'd rather go bolt. Yes, my 6.8spc guns outshoot most peoples 5.56 guns, but I'm wanting another 5.56/223.

What say you?
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Get a barrel from Urbanrifleman and build it into your 700 receiver. 1/2moa is easy enough at 500 meters. 75 or 68 grain bullets. Do it in 223 Wylde or the 223ISSF and stick the bullets out long to get good MV and more case capacity.
 
I've been running a 1:7 223 Remage setup for about 8 years and would do it again. Mine is a Wilson barrel that a gunsmith chambered and threaded, and shoots 1/2 minute or better with 69 or 75 grain match bullets. I also shoot 80 ELD-M when I want to shoot beyond 500 yards.
 
SecondsCount said:
I've been running a 1:7 223 Remage setup for about 8 years and would do it again. Mine is a Wilson barrel that a gunsmith chambered and threaded, and shoots 1/2 minute or better with 69 or 75 grain match bullets. I also shoot 80 ELD-M when I want to shoot beyond 500 yards.
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I'm on board with remage set-ups, I've had several from Criterion, Ragged Hole and X-Caliber. Criterion is where I would spend money again, achieved HM scores with them.

But, as I do not have a 223 bolt, that would add another $250+ to a $400 barrel, which is approaching barreled action costs. Things like stocks and scopes are not an issue as I have lots of those.
 
I’ve been enjoying my tikka 1/8 twist. Very accurate and it didn’t break the bank, quite a few aftermarket parts available now days too. It’ll out shoot my Sako and CZ 527, they are all accurate but that little Tikka wins.
 
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Savage action, NSS criterion or shilen select barrel, your choice of stock/chassis and a PTA trigger front the gun shack. Built one on a krg bravo for a buddy and it holds .5MOA easy with factory match ammo, as he doesn't reload, all the way to 600. He has right at $1000 (not including optics) in the rig buying used parts as they popped up.

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Another vote for a Savage action. Barrels are easy to swap. I just finished rebuilding one with a Urban Rifleman barrel and after market trigger (about 8oz). Sub 1/2 MOA with 69gr SMK. You mentioned avoiding Urban Rifleman so I would look at NSS. They also sell Savage actions but I'm not sure if any are currently available.
Howa mini's from Brownells is another option but I don't have any experience with those.
 
I'd read so many positive comments on TIkka T3x rifles that I finally bought one in the Lite configuration just to see for myself. Perhaps I got somewhat of a lemon, but mine hasn't impressed me where accuracy is concerned so far. I've built myself several rifles on the Howa Mini actions, including a 223AI that I chambered a Krieger bbl for, and I've enjoyed it. I also fitted & chambered a PacNor 4-groove, 1-7.5tw match bbl with my 223 match reamer for a Winchester Stealth rifle that I bought new years ago, and have used that rifle to introduce new shooters to steel shooting at 600yds.

Right now, my favorite is based on a M700 bare action I bought from Zanders for under $200 - no bolt, no trigger, no bolt stop or spring. That was before Remington went tits-up, so I could buy trigger pins, bolt stop & springs from Brownells. I ordered a custom one piece bolt from PTG with Mini 16 extractor, .061" dia firing pin hole, and bought PTG's complete striker assembly with .060" dia firing pin. Fitted & chambered another Krieger 1-7tw blank in sendero contour for 223AI, and put the bbl'd action into a new, surplus McMillan adjustable A5 stock that I got at a bargain price of under $500, and this rifle is a hammer. The stock had the M5 DBM inlet, so I used PTG Stealth DBM with AI poly 10rd mags. It just so happens that rounds loaded with Berger or JLK 90VLDs seated at max length for those mags shoot really well out to 1000yds.
 
@Rocketvaper
I feel your pain. Until I put together my Savage model 12 target action with the Urban Rifleman barrel (.223) I've never been able to consistently put together 3-5 shot groups under MOA with any of my rifles. This latest combo changed all of that. I have several 3 shot groups under 1/2" at 200 yards. Only with 69 SMK so far but working up loads for 55 and 77/80 as well. I attribute the small group size to: Great barrel, 69 SMK's and my improved shooting technique.
 
qec said:
@Rocketvaper
I feel your pain. Until I put together my Savage model 12 target action with the Urban Rifleman barrel (.223) I've never been able to consistently put together 3-5 shot groups under MOA with any of my rifles. This latest combo changed all of that. I have several 3 shot groups under 1/2" at 200 yards. Only with 69 SMK so far but working up loads for 55 and 77/80 as well. I attribute the small group size to: Great barrel, 69 SMK's and my improved shooting technique.
Click to expand...
what twist?
 
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