New build .223 1-7” twist 90gr VLD

[raptor1ronin]

I have been averaging 7 firings on my Lapua brass puking the 90’s at 2820 with 23.8 grains of Varget.

 

[Nature Boy]

I too have that same gun in the 9.125 twist. 69s are the heaviest low drag bullets that shoot accurate. If I were going to get a 7 twist, I'd contact Northland Shooters Supply and talk to James. He'll set you up with a Shilen barrel as per your specs. Savage replacement.

Just ordered it. Got the tools as well to do the swap

 

[284winner]

Just ordered it. Got the tools as well to do the swap

Sounds like you'll be shooting it in about 8 weeks.

 

[Zero333]

Hey Josh, love it.

Question if you don't mind a bit of a related derail.

My 14 year old son has a savage model 12 BVSS in 223 with the factory 1:9 barrel. He shot it in his first F-TR 600 yard match yesterday. Did OK but I am forced to load 69g SMKs because anything heavier won't stabilize. Naturally he's a bit compromised due to that limitation.

I'd like to swap in a 1:7 barrel like you're using so I can set him up with a better platform and be more competitive.

Your thoughts?

The Berger 70 gr VLD and the Hornady 75 gr bthp work great in my 9" twist 20"bbl. If you have shorter freebore I would opt for the 70vld over the 75gr Hornady bthp.

If you're going to order a pre-fit for the Savage, I would go with Criterion over Shilen because all the Shilen Pre-fits I have came with short freebore.

 

[Nature Boy]

Sounds like you'll be shooting it in about 8 weeks.

Maybe sooner.

Everything was in stock and shipping tomorrow

 

[284winner]

Maybe sooner.

Everything was in stock and shipping tomorrow

Oh nice. That never happens. Lucky you.

 

[Nature Boy]

My apologies for hijacking your thread Josh

 

[JBT47]

My apologies for hijacking your thread Josh

No worries.

 

[manitou210]

I just began load dev for my new .223. At 200yds:

View attachment 1052125

View attachment 1052128
90gr VLD, 24.7gr Varget. This thing is a joy to shoot. I think I’m gonna really enjoy this rifle.

You better put some money aside for new Lapua brass primer pocks will be gone very fast m,aybe maybe 3 loadings at 2850 fps
with

I have no idea how long my brass will last. I’ve only got one firing on it now.
It really does not matter that much to me.

 

[Nature Boy]

@JBT

I got my barrel in and installed on my son’s savage

1:7 Shillen pre fit from Northland Shooters Supply (nice people to deal with BTW)

Ordered the 90 VLDs so I’ll be following your lead as soon as they get here

 

[JBT47]

Nice!

 

[270WinDude]

Okay... I have to ask. Given brass life regardless of cartridge and I'm assuming barrels as well with 6.5 and the 7 twist, why'd you guys do this with the 223 over the 22-250? My common sense tells me that it's just personal preference and I'm asking a stupid rookie question. My reasons would be F TR, lower recoil?, less powder used per case(cost and convenience), and that's about it. It seems like I see way more people building guns for the 90vld with the 223 then 22-250. I hear accuracy tuning is rough but everyone who ACTUALLY has one posts pictures of some really competitive groups being fired with theirs. All 3 builds on this thread are making me really jealous at the moment.

 

[djporter]

Okay... I have to ask. Given brass life regardless of cartridge and I'm assuming barrels as well with 6.5 and the 7 twist, why'd you guys do this with the 223 over the 22-250? My common sense tells me that it's just personal preference and I'm asking a stupid rookie question. My reasons would be F TR, lower recoil?, less powder used per case(cost and convenience), and that's about it. It seems like I see way more people building guns for the 90vld with the 223 then 22-250. I hear accuracy tuning is rough but everyone who ACTUALLY has one posts pictures of some really competitive groups being fired with theirs. All 3 builds on this thread are making me really jealous at the moment.

FTR is 223 or 308, Fopen you can other calibers.

 

[Evlshnngns]

The 6BR is far from a hot rod, but its fun to shoot, easy on powder and barrels. The fast twist 223 is the same thing, but for F-TR.

Thanks JBT for giving us a thread to muddy up.

 

[jsthntn247]

I had my 223 trainer and 223 Ftr rifle cut with the same reamer. Throated it out longer for the 223 to about a .210 freebore. Fired the brass 2x through the trainer with a mild load and a 70 grain bullet practicing barricades and positions. I now have 6 firings in the brass in my Tr rifle at 2840 and have only lost a few due to primer pocket failure. Same gun, same load, without a mild fireforming and I get 3 firings.