.223AI freebore for to shoot 88gr eldm @ mag lenght (2.50 / 2.55" )
- Thread starter 5Baize
- Start date
urbanrifleman
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Not possible I don't think. Even if that were possible you will be miles below the donut.
Shoot Sierra 77 mk or Hornady 75 ELDM.
223 ISSF and 80 smk or 90 smk might work.
Shoot Sierra 77 mk or Hornady 75 ELDM.
223 ISSF and 80 smk or 90 smk might work.
kyotekiller25
Silver $$ Contributor
I have a similar setup, but shooting 75 ELDMs.
I went with a 223 Wylde chamber plus an extra .020" or so, which should be around .080" Puts the 75 ELDM right at or above the donut. The COAL to the lands with the 75 ELDM is 2.510" The MDT mags allow up to 2.55" I wanted that little extra room in the mag for throat erosion over the course of the barrel.
I would think .100" FB or so would get you about as close as you're going to get in mags, and that will still put you below the donut with the 88s.
Personally, I'd take a hard look at the 75 ELDM. The extra speed pretty much washes out the extra BC from the heavier/slower 88. You really aren't gaining a whole lot with the 88s over the 75s out to 1K. Maybe a few clicks of wind and that's really about it.
I went with a 223 Wylde chamber plus an extra .020" or so, which should be around .080" Puts the 75 ELDM right at or above the donut. The COAL to the lands with the 75 ELDM is 2.510" The MDT mags allow up to 2.55" I wanted that little extra room in the mag for throat erosion over the course of the barrel.
I would think .100" FB or so would get you about as close as you're going to get in mags, and that will still put you below the donut with the 88s.
Personally, I'd take a hard look at the 75 ELDM. The extra speed pretty much washes out the extra BC from the heavier/slower 88. You really aren't gaining a whole lot with the 88s over the 75s out to 1K. Maybe a few clicks of wind and that's really about it.
urbanrifleman
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To be above the donut with the 88 ELDM you need about 230 fb minimum.
If you want a 223 trainer I would suggest you need a mag length style bullet and a standard Wylde chamber. Keep it simple.
You might even look at Frontier 75 grain ammo. Really cheap and the Hornady 75 hollow point would be perfect for that application. The brass is LC no crimp.
If you want a 223 trainer I would suggest you need a mag length style bullet and a standard Wylde chamber. Keep it simple.
You might even look at Frontier 75 grain ammo. Really cheap and the Hornady 75 hollow point would be perfect for that application. The brass is LC no crimp.
10XSHOOTER
Gold $$ Contributor
Brad just bought 600 rds of the Frontier 75 gr stuff.
Brass in now Hornady not LC any more
Brass in now Hornady not LC any more
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
It is made by LC. Frontier headstamp. Still LC.
DHD
Silver $$ Contributor
I went with .075" I seem to remember. I do not use that bullet however, but I use the 80 grain VLD, 80.5 BT, and 82 BT Bergers. I use Lapua and WW 223 cases and have not noted a doughnut
I do not concern myself with OAL length too much as I modified a few AICS magazines for my 223AI. I can load 8 in it, but just put 7 in as when 8 are loaded I occasionally had issues. With the modified magazine I can probably seat a 95 to where it is barely in the case as it is so long.
My mindset for the freebore was so I would get a little extra life out of the barrel. At least I could jam the 80 VLD's as long as it still shot good. Maybe my thinking was wrong as after 1500ish rounds the throat didn't move too far. Of course, using a modified 308 magazine made it a moot point anyway.
My rifle was built by LRI with Stiller, Bartlein, Jewell, Badger, Manners, and Nightforce new parts. When the sun is right I can catch the base of the bullet to the target using the muzzle brake on it. You can stay on the scope all the way through recoil. Probably similar to what you are considering.
I just wanted something different for no particular purpose other than fun. If the 22ARC was around then, I would probably have gone that way.
I do not concern myself with OAL length too much as I modified a few AICS magazines for my 223AI. I can load 8 in it, but just put 7 in as when 8 are loaded I occasionally had issues. With the modified magazine I can probably seat a 95 to where it is barely in the case as it is so long.
My mindset for the freebore was so I would get a little extra life out of the barrel. At least I could jam the 80 VLD's as long as it still shot good. Maybe my thinking was wrong as after 1500ish rounds the throat didn't move too far. Of course, using a modified 308 magazine made it a moot point anyway.
My rifle was built by LRI with Stiller, Bartlein, Jewell, Badger, Manners, and Nightforce new parts. When the sun is right I can catch the base of the bullet to the target using the muzzle brake on it. You can stay on the scope all the way through recoil. Probably similar to what you are considering.
I just wanted something different for no particular purpose other than fun. If the 22ARC was around then, I would probably have gone that way.
DHD
Silver $$ Contributor
I do not remember where I read about the mod as it has been some years back.
The short answer is I cut a couple of plastic putty knives and then glued them inside of the AICS magazines with 2 part epoxy. The plastic was cut the width of the slots in the follower so the follower would not bind. You orient the putty knife so the thin portion is at the top and the thicker portion is towards the bottom. You are trying to make the space in the magazine the same width from top to bottom. You will need to sand the putty knife flat on the side that will be epoxied to the magazine. The process really didn't take long. I will have to take one of the magazines apart to see how long the plastic is as I don’t remember off the top of my head.
After the epoxy sets up and the follower slides smoothly, I bent the feed lips to hold the case. The magazines were the AI brand 5 round 308's. They would hold 8 rounds but with 8 loaded, the first round does not always feed smoothly. I typically shoot 5 round groups so this was never an issue.
As is usually the case, the first magazine took the longest and the second one was quick. The rounds in the magazines are staggered less than an AR magazine. I did not put any spacer at the back of the magazine so I have some serious length available (more than necessary).
As stated, I only used AI magazines as I found them to be very consistent. I could use one modified former plastic putty knife as my guide and make as many spacers as I wanted.
The short answer is I cut a couple of plastic putty knives and then glued them inside of the AICS magazines with 2 part epoxy. The plastic was cut the width of the slots in the follower so the follower would not bind. You orient the putty knife so the thin portion is at the top and the thicker portion is towards the bottom. You are trying to make the space in the magazine the same width from top to bottom. You will need to sand the putty knife flat on the side that will be epoxied to the magazine. The process really didn't take long. I will have to take one of the magazines apart to see how long the plastic is as I don’t remember off the top of my head.
After the epoxy sets up and the follower slides smoothly, I bent the feed lips to hold the case. The magazines were the AI brand 5 round 308's. They would hold 8 rounds but with 8 loaded, the first round does not always feed smoothly. I typically shoot 5 round groups so this was never an issue.
As is usually the case, the first magazine took the longest and the second one was quick. The rounds in the magazines are staggered less than an AR magazine. I did not put any spacer at the back of the magazine so I have some serious length available (more than necessary).
As stated, I only used AI magazines as I found them to be very consistent. I could use one modified former plastic putty knife as my guide and make as many spacers as I wanted.
DHD
Silver $$ Contributor
Sorry for the large pictures. The putty knives must have been 1.5" wide as the spacers made from them are approximately 1.15" wide. The second picture is the top of the magazine. On the first picture you will note the spacer butts up to the indent of the magazine.
The bottom of the spacers end approximately. 5" from the bottom of the magazine. I'm not sure why I did that as the magazine spring is no wider that the relief cut of the follower.
Hope this helps.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
The 223 picks up a lot of performance with heavy bullets when you let it out of an AR15 magazine. Moving the bullet ahead of the shoulder makes it easier to control velocity spread. Not sure on the freebore. I started with a Wilde reamer and used a throater.
There is a lot less incentive to make your own AICS pattern 223 magazines than there was 10 years ago.
These can be found even cheaper if you look.
There is a lot less incentive to make your own AICS pattern 223 magazines than there was 10 years ago.
These can be found even cheaper if you look.
Woollybugger
Gold $$ Contributor
I’m really liking the 22 GT. Mine is 12T .060 FB. for the 53 VMax. If you want to shoot the 77-88 then go 8T and a .169 FB. They feed like butter from MDT metal mags. Recoil is near nothing and Alpha 22 GT brass is easy. I also have a 223AI and the MDT plastic 223 mags seem to work fine out to 2.55” 80.5 bergers. All in Kauger or Mac actions.
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