Looking for some advice.

[TrxR]

I am wanting to get into long range FTR with a .223 with a fast enough twist for 90gr bullets. Anyways I am not sure what to go for. I have been looking at the Savage Offerings, the LRPV and the Model 12 Ftr. The other options I have been looking at is to use either a rem 700 or Stevens 200 and have a match barrel put on and have it bedded. What would you all suggest? Keep in mind I am a beginner and dont have the cash flow for a full custom actioned rifle.

Thanks

 

[KevinThomas]

TrxR,

Go with a 1x6" or 1x6.5" twist, preferably in a cut rifled barrel. The tend to be much closer to their stated twist rates, where buttoned barrels can be off by a half inch or so in either direction. Big difference to take a chance on when you're already talking about a bullet of very marginal stability, like the 90 grainers in a 1x7". A bit too much twist will virtually never cause you any problems, while a bit too slow will almost ALWAYS cause problems. Go with the faster twist and stay on the safe side of things.

 

[TrxR]

Who makes a good 1 in 6.5 ? Also would a Remington 40x make a good platform for something like this? I have a 40x Rimfire which I love and it would be nice if the two rifles were alot alike.

Thanks

 

[FroggyOne2]

Kevin,

I have have read many of your post and mostly agree with you and what you say! But my friend, you are wrong this time with the needed twist in a bolt gun with 90's.

The only rifle that needs a 6.5 twist barrel is a Service Rifle that sports a 20" barrel and you are trying to shoot the Sierra 90's and then that bullet is only rated for 2600 fps.

Now since the OP is asking about a bolt gun, that changes the playing field quite a bit! You only need between a 7-7.5 twist when using the Berger 90's. I am currently using a 7.2 twist barrel that is 30 inches long. This rifle will hold 4 inches of elevation at 1K! Oh, I don't reconmend using the Sierra 90's at all, they just don't play as well at 1000 yards.

When picking a barrel, I will agree that you should get a cut barrel and make sure that it is a five groove at that too! May I reconmend that you call Rock Creek and tell them you want a 7.2 twist barrel that will finish at 30 inches.

It appears that odd grooved barrels work better with the 90VLD bullet!

 

[KevinThomas]

Froggy,

bolt guns may be a bit of an exception here, especially if he's actually contemplating a 30" barrel. Still, I'm always one to err on the side of caution, and as I said, too much is virtually never a problem, while not quite enough is always a problem. I'm not a real big fan of the 90s to begin with, simply because of their troublesome nature. They seem to work about 50% of the time in Service Rifles that were built specifically for them (which is why USAMU got away from them), but do have a decidedly better track record in longer barreled match guns. I was using some three-groove barrels that Holliger turned me on to for testing with these, but was never really all that impressed with them.

 

[KevinThomas]

TrxR,

You're on to something good there, too. I have a 40X rimfire prone gun that is set up exactly like one of my Long Range guns, same stock, same trigger, same sights,etc.. Feels exactly the same when I'm in position and shooting, which is what I was after when I built it. Ditto for a couple of Silhouette Rifles, both in Heavy and Light rifle classes; same stock, trigger and scope as my centerfire Silhouette rifles. Perfect way to train. Go for it!

 

[FroggyOne2]

Well that is the way I feel that the OP is leaning since he is talking about getting into Long Range F/TR. Though, I feel his adventure in wanting to do so. I will say that as a beginner in long range, it might be better to start with a 308 instead. Just my thinking! Your brass prep is very tedious when playing with the 223 at distance.

 

[DennisH]

Getting started and budget minded:

Hard to beat the Savage F/TR rifles, 223 or 308. Definetly get the 7 twist with the 223.

Get a good scope, many are available but the cheapest "good" one will start around $800. But it's just as or more important than the rifle itself! Sightron, Vortex, and NightForce are good ones. Again, you will need something like the ones I mentioned when shooting 600 yards.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

Sometimes these rifles and scopes come up for sale right here! I shoot with several people that have these rifles, either in 223 or 308. Their pretty impressive. I still use my savage PTA actions to this day! After the bug bites you and several years go buy, you will try a different stock, and different barrel. You can send the Savage action you buy to SSS to have T&T'd, maybe a new trigger by SSS, and you will have one that will hang with the best!

A good custom built rifle will cost a few thousand more! FYI

 

[jonbearman]

Can our op order rifles from the usa? I think it best if he saves and buys a new one at home as their laws differ greatly to ours.I have built 6 rifles on the standard recievers like the 200 series stevens.They out shoot me.You can do one on a remington action too.

 

[TrxR]

Thanks everyone for your input. It is way too much trouble for me to buy a rifle from the states. I am seriously leaning towards the Savage FTR and have it throated for the 90's.

 

[FroggyOne2]

That is the way I would approch it.

 

[robbor]

what makes you think your going to have to have a 223 throated for 90s?
What rifles do you have now?
What experience do you have now shooting, reloading?

 

[TrxR]

No real experience but have been told by many people that the Savage throat is a little shallow. That might be just on the LRPV. I know they will shoot the 90's as is but have hear you have to seat the bullet quite deep.

Thanks

 

[FroggyOne2]

Robbor,

Do you have something to offer?

 

[cb1229]

My friend has a ftr223 and shoots 90gr no problem out of the box last 2 shoots 576 out of600 and a 580 out of 600 at 1k 90gr burger vld 25gr of reloader15 br primers or heavier runs about 2850 found load at target shooter mag Laure Holland came up with it for f class in the archives little over a year ago at 200yd 1hole good luck

 

[FroggyOne2]

That is good that his rifle is doing so well, I would say, that keeping the bullet out of the donut area of the case, which in turn will keep the bullet out of the boiler room of the case, may require some throating of the rifle. Not that it is entirely needed, but something that should be looked at.

My 223 that shoot the 90's with is running the same load, 25.0 grs of RL15. The ogive to base measurement is 2.0325