223AI freebore question

[BoilerUP]

I ordered a 223AI 1:7 Savage prefit barrel yesterday and was told the freebore is 0.061".

Is that acceptable throat for running the 75/80gr A-Max?

Is it too short for 90gr Bergers, either the VLD or BTLR?

Thanks!!!

 

[40X Guy]

The freebore on my .223AI set up for 75 A-Max is exactly .100, so your bullets that you want to shoot may be too long. What barrel company makes your prefit?

Frank

 

[BoilerUP]

The freebore on my .223AI set up for 75 A-Max is exactly .100, so your bullets that you want to shoot may be too long. What barrel company makes your prefit?

Criterion, the button rifle division of Krieger.

I was told by Jim Briggs @ NSS that Criterion's standard 223 chambers are 0.025", the 223AI 0.061", and the 223 Wylde 0.078".

I currently have a factory Savage 1:9 223 Rem barrel, and a COAL of 2.465" puts me at the lands with the 75gr A-Max in that tube.

 

[40X Guy]

My COAL @ the lands is 2.542 with 75 A-Max and lapua brass. Puts the juncture of the boattail/ogive just above the neck shoulder junction. My heights are off a tad in pic but this gives you an idea.

Frank

 

[BoilerUP]

My COAL @ the lands is 2.542 with 75 A-Max and lapua brass.

Your freebore is 0.075" greater than the standard 223 chamber at 0.025", so if I add that to my 2.465" OAL to the lands that makes 2.54"...within two thousandths of your length.

If my math and reasoning is correct (???), a 0.061" chamber should place the 75gr A-Max about 2.504" OAL.

That would work nicely.

 

[40X Guy]

You should be fine with a .061 freebore and 75 A-Max. Anything heavier you lose powder capacity especially with the 90's. In my rifle I am at .010 off the lands and will be doing a seating depth test tonite and will be seating them back to .020 or .025 off the lands. So the extra freebore helps with bullets that like a jump.

Frank

 

[Billch]

I think you'll be fine, may be a tad on the short side for 90 gr. bullets.

I had my 223AI reamer freebore cut to .077. That puts a loaded 75 gr. A-Max to a max OAL to the lands at 2.520.
The max. OAL to lands for MY CHAMBER:
75 gr. Hornady HPBT - 2.364
80.5 gr. Berger FB - 2.479
80 gr. Berger VLD - 2.473 (bullet shank seating depth into the case neck about .200)

B