223ai setup for 75/80gr amax

[GSRswapandslow]

so i was going to setup my current action for a 220beggs...but have gone another route and purchased a new action instead and it will be a 6br as to appease my original desires. With the current gun, i'm going to pull the barrel rebarrel, keeping it 223ai since i'm at ~3500rnds. I've just got too much invested in the dies/brass/powder/etc... to just turn my back on it.

So right now i have:
true'd rem 700 action via Scout Supply Company
factory rem tactical 1:9 barrel rechambered to 223ai (0" freebore) and threaded for my Liberty Torch
timney 517 trigger
sightron Siii 8-32 moa-2 mounted to a 0 MOA EGW hd rail via burris signature Z rings
bobby hart lrt stock
shooting from a harris
and the bolt has been fluted via Long Rifles, Inc and is at SSC for coating right now



I'm waiting on a Cowan rest to show up (finally got one after being on the list since last year) and I'll be changing to an ST1000 (lucky to have Bill local) and I'll also be changing to a Jewell trigger.

I'm thinking the last thing I need is a decent barrel.....so I'm buying a 1:8 twist, but am unsure as to where to go. I know that Russel usually will get barrels from bugholes..and he's got these in stock:
1. Bartlein Rem Varmint 27"
2. Bartlein Heavy Varmint 29"
3. Muellerworks M24 27"
4. Muellerworks Rem Varmint 27"

so if I go to order a barrel Friday....those are pretty much my choices. I'm thinking the Bartlein HV is gonna be my choice, since i'm restocking...inletting won't matter much.

I'm planning on loading up on some 80gr amax's and running them with some RL15 or 8208.....

so....here's the questions, there's always questions

1. What length should I finish the barrel at? I have no class or weight to meet...I just shoot for fun.
2. What freebore should I have SSC run into the chamber? The gun will be a single shot only rifle...no mag length to worry about. Russel has the 0" freebore reamer and a throating reamer so I can have it setup however needed. I don't have an 80gr's on hand to see how deep I'd like to seat...so maybe someone can shed some light on this for me!

thank you guys...maybe this will be the last thread I have to make for a while since stuff is actually getting built, finally!

 

[40X Guy]

My sons .223AI based on a 40X action uses a Brux barrel finished @ 28 inch. The reamer I got from Kiff for it is based on a no turn neck .252 chamber. Loaded rounds are right at .250 using Lapua brass. Freebore is exactly .100 and set up for 75 A-Max. I have never tried any 80 grainers as the thing shoots lites out using the 75 grain A-Max bullets. Hope this helps.

Frank

 

[BoilerUP]

80 A-Max & 8208XBR is the bee's knees from a 223AI...

 

[GSRswapandslow]

i'm going to order the 29" barlein friday....and I ordered 1200 80gr a-max's at lunch today.


what length should I finish it at? I'm going with the heavy varmint contour...and I'm going to have it threaded for my suppressor as well. I figure 28" seems to be popular...but with it suppressed that'll be quite the long barrel setup, lol. Would 26" be good...or should I just do 28" and leave the suppressor for my 10.5" sbr?

 

[BoilerUP]

22", but I'm biased.

 

[40X Guy]

Boilerup is spot on about the 8208XBR in .223 AI, thats the powder we are using as well. I don't know what to tell you as far as finished length. 26 will get it done but 28 is better. All depends if you want the can on the end. The gun does not move at all without a can. Keep us posted.

Frankj

 

[MrMajestic]

I get 3050 fps from a Criterion 26" 8tw with the 80 gr. A-Max loaded to 2.494" in front of a bunch of Varget in a Lapua case ignited by a BR4. SC PA Chucks hate it! ;D

 

[BoilerUP]

I get 3050 fps from a Criterion 26" 8tw with the 80 gr. A-Max loaded to 2.494" in front of a bunch of Varget in a Lapua case ignited by a BR4. SC PA Chucks hate it! ;D

Is 2.494" a jam with the 80gr A-Max in your Criterion 223AI barrel?

 

[MrMajestic]

Sorry, just into. I back them off .010 for hunting. Doesn't seem to effect pressures or accuracy.

 

[Billch]

I had my 8 twist HV contour Brux finished at 26". That's kind of middle of the road for me. If I had to do it over again I'd probably still go 26.

The 223 AI reamer I ordered has .077 freebore.

A 75gr. A-Max touches the lands at 2.515" OAL, 2.968 to ogive (measured with my Hornady tool). The bullet shank is just above the neck-shoulder junction with an OAL of about 2.495.

For comparison:
80gr. VLD Berger touches the lands at 2.473", 1.970 to ogive.
80.5 FB Berger touches the lands at 2.479", 1.998 to ogive.

For a dedicated 80gr. bullet shooter I think my .077 may be a little too short. However, Both of the heavier bullets I've tried have shot very well. Fireforming with the 80 gr. VLD's is a hoot, especially with spectators around.

B

 

[Phil]

I`ve heard really good things about Muellerworks,but don`t yet have one,so i can`t give you any first hand info/opinion ...