Fix for a short throat .223

[MGYSGT]

Have a .223 that I shoot 69gr Serria HPBT Match. It shoots scary good. The problem is , that I must seat them very deep. I guess it is short throated, for magazine length seating. It is now a single shot rifle. What is the best remedy for fixing this other than buying a new barrel? Barrel is only 20" so cutting and rechambering is probably out of the question. Or should I just be happy with it the way it is.

Tom

 

[Eddie Harren]

You could have your gunsmith extend the throat using a "throater".

 

[jbpmidas]

Just my opinion, so take it as such, if it shoots that well, leave it alone! Are you happy with the 69's? Or are you looking for better ballistics? I believe, the throat will naturally get longer through the erosion process. JUST SHOOT IT A BUNCH!

 

[NorCalMikie]

Be glad it's short. It's usually the other way and you can't get enough bullet in the neck. I order my chambers with a "short throat" so I've got a long way to go before I start having long throat problems.

 

[MGYSGT]

Thanks for the info. Didn't really think about the throat gettting longer as I shoot it. Duh! I guess a throater is an option. Maybe I will shoot it until it shows signs of wear and then look to fix the problem.

Tom

 

[fdshuster]

Tom: I also like short throats, but just a reminder: Since you're seating the 69 gr. SMK with the full .224" diameter below the neck/shoulder junction (?), just be sure to check after each firing, and before sizing, that a donut has not formed at that location.

If there is a donut there you don't want to be seating the bullet bearing surface on top of the donut.

I have depth measurements recorded for all my cases listing the bullet seating depths (base of the case to bullet ogive using the Hornady Chamber oal gauge), that will have the bullet contacting the donut. As long as the as seated length is longer than that dimension I'm not concerned about it. If it's contacting the donut I will remove it.

 

[jscandale]

Tom,

I have a couple of .223 reamers. One is a .223 Wylde with .090" longer throat to accommodate the 90 grain bullet. I was skeptical at first to shoot the shorter bullets with it, after 10 years and several high x counts at 600 yards with the 80 gr bullet and even more at 300 yds with the 77 gr bullet. The rifles that have had that throat shoot like they've got eyes! If you would like the throat lengthened, I can do it to accommodated any length that you prefer for $40 if the barrel is removed plus return shipping. All you will need to do is send along a dummy round with the length and bullet that suits you.

JS

 

[MGYSGT]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am still pondering the throat thing. Don't think I can get longer than 69 gr to stabilize in 1-9 twist. So I think I will shoot it and when the time comes I will do a 1-7 twist for the longer bullets.

Thanks
Tom

 

[navyrad8r]

Master Guns,
pull that trigger the throat will grow as go. when you burn that barrel out, go 1:8 or faster if you are gonna shoot XTC and wanna shoot the heavies. Just my .02
cheers,
doc

 

[lal357]

i have the same problem my mcqowen 1-8t is short throated and 69gr. is as heavy as i can load getting the throat legthened after a team f-class match for 20.00 (i take the barrel off) so i can shoot 80gr. pills.

 

[wapiti25]

Sounds like the magazine is your problem. Is this an AR rifle? This magazine problem shows up in short bolt actions with high balistic coeffient Bullets and trying to use as a repeater. I would use as a single shot or see how it shoots with deep seated bullets that fit the mag. If you change barrels go for the lighter bullets, the AR mags were set up for the 55gr FMJ bullet length, try the 53 and 52 match bullets. The 53 V-max is advertsed as a good for weight BC.

 

[MGYSGT]

Thanks for the info. Knowledge is power.

Tom