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Barrel Chamber selection help

Ajwilly96

Gold $$ Contributor
I’m looking at putting together a .223 bench rifle. It will be a single shot savage target action using lapua brass. I’d like to go with a shilen barrel and their listed reamers are
  • 223 Rem
  • 223 Rem (.246")
  • 223 Rem (.252")
  • 223 Rem VLD
I assume the .246/.252 are the neck measurements resulting in having to possibly neck turn my brass. I would assume the 223 and VLD would be SAAMI spec chambers and the VLD having a longer throat?

I’d like to shoot 80-90grn class bullets and they offer throating to a dummy cartridge. The Berger 80gr measures 1.106 and 80gr hornady measures 1.060. 90gr Berger is 1.263 88 hornady is 1.245. So if I have it throated for the 80gr Berger am I still going to have enough room for the 90grn class without having to worry about donut or would it be better to have it throated for the 90gr?

Also what kind of accuracy improvements would I see with a specific neck reamer vs just getting a SAAMI chamber?

Thanks in advance
 
Lapua brass with a seated bullet measures .252, OR check prior to making a decision. Dang sure check the web dimension on the reamer vs intended brass use.

You are going to have to use a Unithroater to shoot the 80-90's.
 
I’m looking at putting together a .223 bench rifle. It will be a single shot savage target action using lapua brass. I’d like to go with a shilen barrel and their listed reamers are
  • 223 Rem
  • 223 Rem (.246")
  • 223 Rem (.252")
  • 223 Rem VLD
I assume the .246/.252 are the neck measurements resulting in having to possibly neck turn my brass. I would assume the 223 and VLD would be SAAMI spec chambers and the VLD having a longer throat?

I’d like to shoot 80-90grn class bullets and they offer throating to a dummy cartridge. The Berger 80gr measures 1.106 and 80gr hornady measures 1.060. 90gr Berger is 1.263 88 hornady is 1.245. So if I have it throated for the 80gr Berger am I still going to have enough room for the 90grn class without having to worry about donut or would it be better to have it throated for the 90gr?

Also what kind of accuracy improvements would I see with a specific neck reamer vs just getting a SAAMI chamber?

Thanks in advance

I can make you a barrel if you want. My barrels shoot pretty good I think. I would suggest if you're going to shoot long bullets the 223 ISSF Reamer that I stock.
 
Lapua brass with a seated bullet measures .252, OR check prior to making a decision. Dang sure check the web dimension on the reamer vs intended brass use.

You are going to have to use a Unithroater to shoot the 80-90's.
That’s why I figured I would need to have them throat it to a dummy cartridge
 
I can make you a barrel if you want. My barrels shoot pretty good I think. I would suggest if you're going to shoot long bullets the 223 ISSF Reamer that I stock.
I’ve been looking at your barrels, is a 30 inch something that you could provide?
 
Not for $289 :)

I am shooting the 223 FTR myself. I am very skeptical that those long barrels are doing a darn thing.
I figured on the price and don’t mind at all haha

And that’s interesting, I plan on shooting out to 1K with it so trying to squeeze every bit of speed I can. Do you use a 6.5 or 7 twist?
 
I figured on the price and don’t mind at all haha

And that’s interesting, I plan on shooting out to 1K with it so trying to squeeze every bit of speed I can. Do you use a 6.5 or 7 twist?

I am shooting the 7 twist and I am shooting the 88 ELDM at 2730 with AR comp in my 26 inch Wilson. And they are going in one hole. People are obsessed with 2850. Do the numbers. It is not worth the hassle, I think.
 
223 @ 1k will make you go bald fast… even from a sling on a 2 MOA 10 ring. For some reason I keep trying though with so so results. One of the many 6 mm whatever’s would be a better choice. Literal easy buttons include 6XC, 6 Dasher, 6 GT, 6x47 L, 243…. So on and so forth.
 
223 @ 1k will make you go bald fast… even from a sling on a 2 MOA 10 ring. For some reason I keep trying though with so so results. One of the many 6 mm whatever’s would be a better choice. Literal easy buttons include 6XC, 6 Dasher, 6 GT, 6x47 L, 243…. So on and so forth.
I’m already bald and own 2 6XC rifles haha

There’s a gentleman that shoots the same matches with a 2 to 3 pistol and is one of the best shooters there consistently hitting out to 1000 yards.

I’d be using this rifle for a monthly 223/308 steel match and I want to try a midrange 600yd bench rest match near me. I already have a 308 as well but 223 is cheaper to reload
 

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