New 223 rifle and pistol for our local 235 thru 1000 yard matches

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Finished up two new guns for our local longrange steel plate matches. Both are Savage Target actions, one is a non-designated action which is a legal pistol with a McGowen 15 7/8" 7 twist barrel in a custom Accurate Rifle Systems chassis. Long ways from the old XP100 midgrip guns we used to shoot in IHMSA but they are as capable hitting the distant targets as any of the rifles. Last year the 223/308 match was won with a 223 pistol beating all the rifles.

The rifle is a Savage Target action with a 26" 7 twist Criterion barrel. I'm planning on using 80gr Berger VLD in both. So far the rifle likes everyones favorite load of 24.5gr of Varget sitting .010 into the lands. Initial shooting with the first 20 rounds is pretty much one hole at 100 yards. Just put scope on the pistol today and will do testing on a decent non snowy blustery day.

Both guns have a 20moa mount with an SWFA 5.5-20x50HD scope. Rayners are having a couple 223/308 matches only and these will be used and also during the regular matches all season. We have another steel plate match from 100 to 660 yards locally and they'll get a workout there also.

Will add some pictures later of groups of how they are doing. Lots more fun and challenging than our 6.5 or 6mm guns.




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[BP1]

Cool good luck with pistol and rifle,that is unless you're shooting against me lol!!

 

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Grrrr, checked the throat length for seating the bullet and really short throat in the pistol barrel as in nearly no freebore. Just ordered the PTG uni-throater to match it up with the rifle barrel for the 80gr Berger VLDs. You'd think with a 7 twist barrel they would have a reamer to let the longer 80's and 90's seat out some. Criterion barrel on the rifle has a match chamber and has a really nice long throat, the McGowen barrel seems to be chambered for 50's or 55's unless they do it that way so we can throat them?

Oh well, Midway showed it being in stock. Should have it middle of the week hopefully and get some load work done.

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