Re: Building 300 BLK bolt gun.Barrel questions?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: furburner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok, A friend of mine just got his back from smith, he took his sps varmint "223" bought the medium weight barrel from AAC, smith put it on, we just shot a box of rounds, very sweet rig BTW, no extraction problems??!!! What the heck? we bought our guns same time. Im confused. Even slow bolt manipulation still worked. I dont know what to do. </div></div>
I don't recall anyone saying that a .223 Rem. based rifle wouldn't work, just that there's been well documented instances where there were issues. All of us are simply telling you - repeatedly, I might add, that there are other options out there for you to consider.
Sounds like your friend is good to go. It's simply a crap shoot. You take your chances and accept the possibility knowing that you <span style="font-weight: bold">MAY</span> need to modify your bolt to some degree.
You've indicated that you didn't wish to modify the bolt so you've got (2) choices as I see it. (1) Listen to the sage advice already given or (2) Re-barrel the rifle and put up with any extraction issues that you may possibly have. It's just that simple.
FWIW, I just bought a new Weatherby Vanguard Varmint in .223 Rem. for dirt cheap money. The Vanguard is just a re-badged Howa 1500. My plan is to shoot it as is and eventually re-barrel to 6x45mm or 6mm Whsiper (aka: 6x35mm KAC).
I've never had any work done by Spook nor will I ever, because I live outside the US. I will say though, if I were in your position I would get him to do the job. He has a great deal of knowledge dealing with this cartridge.