new 223 criterion barrel

[strut64]

Just received a new criterion barrel from Northland . It is a 223, 8 twist, match chamber, varmint profile. Setting up to reload 69 Gr sierra SMK bullets. Waiting on weather now. Snow in the air here in NE Ohio. Open to suggestion on getting started. Thanks in advance

 

[jelenko]

Here's some loads used for 'cross the course' highpower
https://whiteoakprecision.com/info/reloading/

 

[DocBII]

strut64,

Depends upon how long your barrel is. 16", N-133; 20", N-135; 24" or longer, N-140. All loaded to nominal COL and cases full length sized. These powders work in AR or bolt guns. I use CCI-41 primers since I can shoot the loaded rounds out of either type rifle.

HTH,
DocBII

 

[tiny68]

20 years ago, I used to shoot Varget with the 69 SMK. I thought is was a good match. 24.3-24.8 grains depending on the gun with LC brass. This was will factory barrels. Always sub-MOA, but these where not custom barrels on custom actions. I used Benchmark a few years ago in a 223 with 65 gr GameKings making reloads for my youngest son with good results. Luck, Tim

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Two "Tips" that, I might give to you,...
1) I would Headspace your New Barrel, on a NEW Piece of, the BEST Quality Brass that, you can procure ( the Bolt must close easily, on Brass ) and TIGHT on, the "Go Gage" ( just starting, to close on Go ! ). I didn't need, a No Go gage with, THIS Method. Be sure to "Lap" the Lugs, FIRST !
2 ) Glass Bed, ( Marine Tex or, Brownell's ) the action and 1.5" to 2" of the Heavy Barrels "Shank" portion then, Free Float, the balance ( this will support, the Heavy Barrel from,.. "sagging" for, better Vertical ! )
Those two things, and a great Jewell Trigger, helped me to build, a consistently, SUB 1/2 MOA, Rifle with, my new, Criterion Barrel. Good Luck !

 

[DaveCo]

I've been shooting a lot of the 69 SMKs in my CZ 527 (factory 1:9 barrel).

H4885 (a little below the Sierra manual max) is a hammer, but I'm running low(ish) on H4895, so I've been playing with other powders I have a lot of.
BL(C)2 ﹰand ﹰﹰIMR ﹰ4064 give excellent accuracy (.4 range pretty much across the board). I'm running them right at 3000fps

This gun really prefers a little lighter bullet, like the 53g V-max, hanging in the low .3s, unless (and it's a big unless) the wind picks up.

The real reality is I have piles of the 69 SMKs, and jugs of the 2 powders mentioned, and I want to save the v-maxs for PD shooting, so I'm playing around with the MKs. Only out to 500 so far.

If you have specific load questions, or anything else, let me know. I'll either have already tried it, or I'll probably be willing to try it.

We're finally getting good weather, so I'm shooting a bunch now.

Dave

 

[std7mag]

Factory class Savage with 1:9 twist shooting the 69gr SMK, and TMK mostly.
I've been using Alliant Power Pro 2000MR.
Picked up some 70gr Nosler RDF to play with.
With your 1:8 twist, you might be able to shoot the 77gr bullets. Decent jump up in BC, and pushed around a little less in the wind.

 

[jelenko]

might be able to shoot the 77gr bullets

Just to confirm, 1:8 should for sure stabilize a SMK 77.

 

[strut64]

Good news. Started with varget since it was what I had in any quantity. After getting the scope settled in a couple good groups and one of the best groups I ever shot with this new barrel. Cleans up fast as well with no copper build. Up to 50 shots so barely broke in. I am going to like it

 

[Bojo]

Varget loaded in LC brass mid 24. --- grains.
Hornady 68 or Sierra 69 grain . Should do you well.
I shot alot of woodchucks with the hornady 68s.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Just got my 2nd Criterion 6mm.7.5 Twist barrel. I'm likely to put it on a Howa chambered in 6mmSLR for our FPR class shoots, next summer. I have the reamer and dies, looking for an action, but possibly get a barrelled new one and an MDT XRS or KRG Bravo stock. Time to move away from AR style grips, I fear. My first one is on a Sportco Omark in 6BRX, 24inch for short range and rabbits! Shoots real well.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Factory class Savage with 1:9 twist shooting the 69gr SMK, and TMK mostly.
I've been using Alliant Power Pro 2000MR.
Picked up some 70gr Nosler RDF to play with.
With your 1:8 twist, you might be able to shoot the 77gr bullets. Decent jump up in BC, and pushed around a little less in the wind.

My Savage also likes 69g Nosler Competition and 69g Lapua Scenar, 25.4 Varget. Usually 10thou of the lands.

 

[std7mag]

So far the 70gr RDF seem to like a jump.
Best group at 0.030" off the lands.

I don't know why i hadn't thought to try Lapua.
Local wholesaler/distributor has them in stock.
Might have to try them also.

 

[Texas10]

I've got the same barrel on my 223 and the best shooting bullet I found was the Lapua Scenar L in 69 gr. over Varget. Expensive bullet, but I got a box of 500 on sale so I tried them out, and they shot so well they caused me to improve my shooting equipment just to come up to the level of what they could do.

 

[rebs]

Two "Tips" that, I might give to you,...
1) I would Headspace your New Barrel, on a NEW Piece of, the BEST Quality Brass that, you can procure ( the Bolt must close easily, on Brass ) and TIGHT on, the "Go Gage" ( just starting, to close on Go ! ). I didn't need, a No Go gage with, THIS Method. Be sure to "Lap" the Lugs, FIRST !
2 ) Glass Bed, ( Marine Tex or, Brownell's ) the action and 1.5" to 2" of the Heavy Barrels "Shank" portion then, Free Float, the balance ( this will support, the Heavy Barrel from,.. "sagging" for, better Vertical ! )
Those two things, and a great Jewell Trigger, helped me to build, a consistently, SUB 1/2 MOA, Rifle with, my new, Criterion Barrel. Good Luck !

How do you lap the lugs ?

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

@ rebs,..
You put some Mild ( 600 grit ) automotive, Lapping compound, on the back side of your Bolt Lugs and move the bolt, up / down, a few times,.. WITH light Pressure, on the Bolts "Face" to shove lugs back against, the actions Lug, stop area. Brownell's sells Tools for this. My New ( Pre Closure ) SS, Rem. 700 short action, was so close that, I used a 1/2" wooden Dowel against, the bolt Face with pressure on other end of dowel
( the actions, Muzzle end ), against my work bench and only a few up / down strokes were necessary to get, well over,.. 80% "Contact".,.. 70 to 90 % contact is, Plenty, IMO for, a very accurate rifle.
Clean lugs / action thoroughly, grease / oil up a little and, proceed to, Install Barrel

 

[rebs]

@ rebs,..
You put some Mild ( 600 grit ) automotive, Lapping compound, on the back side of your Bolt Lugs and move the bolt, up / down, a few times,.. WITH light Pressure, on the Bolts "Face" to shove lugs back against, the actions Lug, stop area. Brownell's sells Tools for this. My New ( Pre Closure ) SS, Rem. 700 short action, was so close that, I used a 1/2" wooden Dowel against, the bolt Face with pressure on other end of dowel
( the actions, Muzzle end ), against my work bench and only a few up / down strokes were necessary to get, well over,.. 80% "Contact".,.. 70 to 90 % contact is, Plenty, IMO for, a very accurate rifle.
Clean lugs / action thoroughly, grease / oil up a little and, proceed to, Install Barrel

Thank you