New 223 build. Need some education

[birddog1]

Fellow shooters,
I am building a 223 based on a 700 action and a LTR stock for mid range varmints. 8 twist rock creek barrel finished at 22 in to shoot 70-75 grainers. I want to get the best accuracy I can so I want to have a custom reamer made but still shoot factory ammo. Are there any recommendations on a reamer.
I an not new to rifle shooting but an total novice to chambering.
Thanks for the help.
-mike

 

[40X Guy]

Mike, have you considered Ackley Improving your new build? May be the way to go. Set it up for Lapua brass and 75 grain A-Max, you'll be glad you did. My reamer is inbound now from Kiff for my .223 AI.

Frank

 

[birddog1]

With the barrel length I am planning I don't think I will get the full advantage of the ackley improved.

 

[artbosco]

I am building a 223 based on a 700 action and a LTR stock for mid range varmints. 8 twist rock creek barrel finished at 22 in to shoot 70-75 grainers. I want to get the best accuracy I can so I want to have a custom reamer made but still shoot factory ammo. Are there any recommendations on a reamer.

Accuracy/custom reamer and factory ammo are incompatible. Leave out factory ammo, and then the custom reamer and accuracy have a real chance of achievement.

A tight neck chamber cut with a custom reamer and turned brass will give you the greatest chance for accuracy if coupled with reloads of your own, tuned to your barrel's harmonics.

A minimum chamber will allow you to shoot factory ammo but accuracy will be less than what's fully achievable.

As LEH has recommended, Dave Kiff is the man to talk to about the reamer.

Leaning to reload and turn necks is a big accuracy enhancer. The sooner you learn to do it, the more pleased you'll be with the results it provides. Then you'll say, as I did years ago, why didn't I start reloading and turning necks sooner? Whoa! What a difference!

 

[jerrschmitt]

Only my opinion, but..... Why a fast twist for mid range? I would go with a slower twist and use the 50 - 55 grain VMAX bullets. Fast twist and higher BC bullets won't give you much until you get out to 500 - 600 yards. The short barrel also negates much of your gain with heavier bullets.

 

[birddog1]

I want heavier bullets to buck the wind better and to possibly harvest larger game. Is this a fair assumption?
-mike

 

[Con]

A neck diameter of 0.250" is what your looking for. Most ammunition runs at 0.247", reamer specs for SAAMI from memory are 0.255".

With a 0.250" neck, occasional lots of factory ammunition will still fail to fit.

Turning brass is great fun ... the first time.
Cheers...
Con

 

[Larryh128]

You can easily take deer with a Barnes TSX in anything from 50-62 grs., But the 62 gr bullets need a 1-9 OR slower twist. The 1-8 is about perfect. Don't be concerned about any horror stories, I have 50+ with 0 lost killed with 223 & 223 Ackley rifles. DRT is the norm BUT you need the good bullets like the Barnes TSX, they will shoot thru shoulders no problem.