Do you shoot your .223?

[redneckbmxer24]

Run the numbers on the 95gr SMK at 2700 which should be attainable in a 223 bolt gun, maybe even more velocity vs a 105 Hybrid at 2800-2850 like most guys are seeing in 6BR... I'll give you a hint... It beats it.

Think a 26" 1:7 Will stabilize the 95gr smk?[/QUOTE]

I can't say for certain but I don't think I'd chance it when Sierra is recommending a 1:6.5. Something faster would probably get it done with a 7 but I'd have my doubts with a 223. A really good indicator is the people having trouble with the 90's in cold weather with 1:7 Valkyries.

 

[samson7x]

Actually just picked up a ruger precision in 223 for some fun plinking. I’m looking forward to testing it out.

 

[mcfred]

I burned through another 60 rounds at a local steel match 10 days ago from 220 out to 835 yards. I would have won my 'class' if they bothered to have a .223 class (which they don't ). Then I burned through another 50 rounds playing around with some new loads last weekend at 200, 520, 690 and 950. This Sunday's another local match that should use up another 60 rounds. The prarie dogs are starting to wake up too. Even with .223 I might be rebarreling once a year. You just get in a LOT more shooting before you do.


@Tunnuh, If you try the 95 SMK and throat to maintain your case capacity and avoid the neck/shoulder junction, you're basically going all-in on that bullet and you'll require almost all of the OAL a short action can supply. The bearing length is such that if the 95 does not shoot the next best option (90gr VLD) basically won't fit in the neck at the lands... Read this stuff

When I called Sierra they said that they shot the 95 in a .22-250 to a little more than 3000fps. They said at similar velocities and my elevation (3500'+) I could likely use a 7 twist. Cold days at sea level at .223 Rem velocities and I'd argue for a 6.5 twist. My sample of 95 SMKs average 1.285" oal. You can SWAG a velocity and plug it into Berger's stability calculator.

 

[alfack]

Not much. I think of it as the rifle everyone should have; the modern Mimute Man’s Brown Bess. Mine is kitted up with an ACOG and is ready to go for Armageddon. I keep more 5.56 I don’t shoot than anything else. Ten 30 round mags stay loaded in the go bag...just in case.

Same as my philosophy. Got it rigged with an ACOG and plenty of mags and ammo. Ready to rock and roll.

 

[deersniper]

223 is my favorite round to shoot. Both in bolt and semi. I've been using factory 50-60 grain vmax and 53 grain vmax super performance. Might switch to 75+ grains of get better performance at 550+

 

[magnumruger]

Use reduced so much after buying a 22-250 that I sold it. What's better than a laser?? A better laser!!

 

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

As for bolt rifles the only one that sees more rounds than this 223 (background) is a 22LR (foreground)

I skipped the 223 and just got the 22lr, but after taking a local class and shooting a loaner 223AI (at223 loadings) I can see the use for them- especially if you are a reloader. That way the cost is really held in check versus commercial ammo. The lack of visual and in higher winds the aural hits with the 223 was an issue. If you have backstops and a good spotting scope/spotter, that is less of an issue- but on targets with out a backstop and using a 7x rangefinder as the spotting scope- not so good. Of course, out here in CO, we can do 1000+ yard stuff. If you are limited to under 600, I don't know see any reason not to shoot it- unless you are shooting a lot of swingers.

 

[deersniper]

As for bolt rifles the only one that sees more rounds than this 223 (background) is a 22LR (foreground)

Specs on 223?

 

[dski]

.223 bolt goes out almost every time. Love shooting it while barrels are cooling on the big stuff. Sometimes we finish up the day with a 'walk the range' out to 1,000. Least shots to hit every plate wins. Last time even tried the mile (a bit of wind and crazy unsuccessful but fun) Tikka CTR in an xray chassis.

 

[GoingTheDistance]

If you own a DT SRS one of the best purchases you can make is the SAC 223 conversion. I have the 16.75" standard contour barrel and it's a lightweight, compact, well balanced killin' machine! So much more pleasurable than packing my long barreled front-heavy traditional bolt guns around in the woods.

 

[K80/6.5]

.223 bolt goes out almost every time. Love shooting it while barrels are cooling on the big stuff. Sometimes we finish up the day with a 'walk the range' out to 1,000. Least shots to hit every plate wins. Last time even tried the mile (a bit of wind and crazy unsuccessful but fun) Tikka CTR in an xray chassis.

Cannot wait until I can find ctr in .223. Do you have the 1:8 twist?

 

[dski]

Cannot wait until I can find ctr in .223. Do you have the 1:8 twist?

Yes. I shoot the 75gr bergers with it.

 

[K80/6.5]

Yes. I shoot the 75gr bergers with it.

Awesome thanks I just have to find one instock what kind of groups on average are you getting?

 

[ThePewFactor]

I just built this Origin in 223wylde for the exact reason everyone is staying in this thread. Cheap and fun to shoot!

BigHorn Origin
Bartlein 22" Carbon fiber 1:7 223Wylde
KRG Bravo
Deadair Sandman S
Trigger Tech Diamond

 

[dski]

Awesome thanks I just have to find one instock what kind of groups on average are you getting?

.3 - 5 shot group and 10 shot group under .5. 24gr varget, Lapua brass, CCI400, Berger 75

 

[athanasios23]

I bought a GAP Gladius in 223. Why? Because I was in the mood to buy a rifle. The outcome was one of the best gun purchases I ever made. So much fun to shoot it makes it to the range 99% of the time. I have a tikka t3x varmint in 223 as well that is for varmint hunting but I'll just bring it to the range for fun. If I had to do it again I would have gotten a tikka t3x tac in 223.

 

[SporterII]

So what kind of ranges do you find yourself most often shooting?

Depends on which 223.
Nine twist with 69’s at 3000+ I like for trying to train back up. Not strong enough to spend a lot of time with my heavy 243. 50’s and 52’s at 3300 are fun on P dogs inside 400yds. Now, A 75 Amax at 2900+ is good to 1000 yds in good conditions.
I do shoot 223 and it’s my favorite.

 

[Chickentoast]

I like it most inside of 600 on steel down to 2". If no wind, it's fun out to 1K down to 5", but in wind, it can get frustrating at that distance, even on 12" steel.

 

[Birddog6424]

I have an Ackley I love to play with. I have about 4000 rounds on this barrel.

I practice with it using bulk Hornady 75gr BTHP that I buy in a box of 4k at a time. I compete with it using 80gr ELDMs.

This video below is at a match. The last target is 1173 yards, I hit it with all 4 shots. Its funny listening to the guy with cheap glass who isn't able to see those little bullet impacts.

 

[308pirate]

I used to like shooting mine. Now I'm saving all my small rifle primers as emergency backup for my pistol shooting.

 

[BuckeyePrecision]

I havent put my 6.5 barrel on my rifle in a little over a year now because the 223 is so much fun. I dont get to many centerfire matches, and the club I shoot at only goes out to 700, so the 223 is perfect for little impromtu matches with my buddies.

 

[spife7980]

I used to like shooting mine. Now I'm saving all my small rifle primers as emergency backup for my pistol shooting.

Same here. Well except for it’s for the dasher but still... pinching primers where I can.

 

[mcfred]

I might be trading off primers for powder if this climate lasts a good long while. Since what I have the least of is powder, I'll be shooting the .223Rem more than the larger calibers. At some point a barrel, dies and a Manson reamer for a .221 Fireball might become cost-effective based off case capacity alone

 

[waspocrew]

I love having a bolt action .223!

I picked up a Tikka 1:8 CTR last year and it's one of my favorite rifles to take to the range.

 

[AccuSol-ERN]

I love my el cheapo 223 bolt gun. Built it to test a new reamer.

Mc3 stock, 8twist barrel, 69tmk, 8208xbr. Good to 800yds.

Ern

 

[jLorenzo]

I love having a bolt action .223!

I picked up a Tikka 1:8 CTR last year and it's one of my favorite rifles to take to the range.View attachment 7612926View attachment 7612927

I didnt know they made CTRs in 223? Thats awesome, I was wanting a Varmint but I like the CTR bolt handle and threaded barrel a lot more.

 

[jLorenzo]

I have an Ackley I love to play with. I have about 4000 rounds on this barrel.

I practice with it using bulk Hornady 75gr BTHP that I buy in a box of 4k at a time. I compete with it using 80gr ELDMs.

This video below is at a match. The last target is 1173 yards, I hit it with all 4 shots. Its funny listening to the guy with cheap glass who isn't able to see those little bullet impacts.

what was your dope at that range?

 

[supercorndogs]

I burn up loads of 223. Its nice and cheaper to shoot. LOL 6.5 Grendel costs the same in powder but more in bullets. 20 practical, a little more in powder, a little less in bullets.

 

[Birddog6424]

what was your dope at that range?

About 11 mils. I shoot that 80gr ELDM at about 2890fps. The wind was the tricky part there. Its hard to tell on the video from the firing position, but its gusting up and down. I missed the first two shots on target two chasing it. Luckily it held steady on the long target.

 

[260284]

I love having a bolt action .223!

I picked up a Tikka 1:8 CTR last year and it's one of my favorite rifles to take to the range.View attachment 7612926View attachment 7612927

How long can you load with the 223 CTR magazines?

 

[jLorenzo]

About 11 mils. I shoot that 80gr ELDM at about 2890fps. The wind was the tricky part there. Its hard to tell on the video from the firing position, but its gusting up and down. I missed the first two shots on target two chasing it. Luckily it held steady on the long target.

is that a 26" barrel?

 

[Birddog6424]

is that a 26" barrel?

It is..

 

[waspocrew]

How long can you load with the 223 CTR magazines?

The 223 CTR mag has inside spacing of 2.561" according to my calipers. Seems like mine has a short throat though - I don't remember the measurements off the top of my head, but I was disappointed when checking CBTO with my hornady gauge a while back with 62 gr TTSX. I'll have to do some measuring with the 75 gr Amax this weekend.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

I've got a 223 Tikka T3x Varmint in a MDT ACC (black Friday special) chassis. It's an awesome rifle. It goes with me nearly every time I go to the range, local range is just 100 yards, so no reason not to shoot it (I don't currently own a 22lr). I plan on shooting my 223 this weekend at another range at 500 yards.

 

[gchellin]

I love my .223 rifle. Rem 700 action, Jewel trigger, Wilson 1 in 7 light varmint 26 inch, Oryx chassis, vortex PST II. I have 800 rounds through it and it just keeps getting better. I shoot Berger 85.5 Hybrid Target over VV N540 in Lapua brass. I just ordered some 77gr SMK to try. I always take this rifle to the range along with others. It is the most fun. I am going to bump the shoulder to 40 degrees. I have never shot out past 600 yds but I do want to look for a place here in Washington state. Have fun shooting yours. Greg

 

[Moose]

Love shooting 223 bolt gun with heavy bullets.

 

[BadAccountant]

I bought a Savage 110 bolt action a while ago that I've been having a blast with. It does a great job of taking care of steel, coyote sized critters and smaller pests. It was a great buy for $500.

In my mind, the purpose of getting a .223 bolt gun is cost. You're not putting barrel burning rounds down the barrel of your comp/long-range rifle, reloading is cheap (or was), and a .223 bolt gun is typically a very affordable affair. I swap the optic from my "real" rifle just because it's comfortable, adjustments don't change, and it saves me having to buy another.

Spend money however you want, but I just could never justify the cost of getting a high-end .223 because in my mind it would defeat the purpose of the exercise.

A couple years ago I bought a bunch of 55 grain noslers for about 8 cents a pop. 24.5 grains of powder does just fine, and they even group well from my AR. IMO, especially if you have stockpiled components, reloading a .223 is the only way you're going to be able to shoot centerfire rifle rounds right now with any regularity.

 

[Bulletsmith]

Shot an AR service rifle for many years and have had an Impact 223 and now I have a 223 for my AIAX and love it. Shoot it quite a bit.

 

[st1650]

I shoot my 223 DTA more than all the other calibers combined maybe except my 22lr RimX.

1) incredibly accurate without having to fuck around with OCW and seating depth. I have 75 eld-m, 80 SMK, 77 Scenar-L and 80 eld-M loaded to 2.525 (except the scenar at 2.415). They all shoot an easy 0.5 moa and sometimes .25 moa. I use 23.5 XBR in the 75/77 and 24.8 varget in the 80s. I tried different charge and found very little accuracy difference... it’s like the accuracy mode for varget is huge. settled for 24.8 because it’s quite a bit below max, no pressure sight and gives me 2875 FPS which is enough to take me to 1000 which is the furthest I can shoot around here.
2) No recoil, easy for the wife or new shooter to pop steels at 500-600. Also I can spot my own hits/misses
3) Cost: I can buy 1.5K of resized and ready to prime brass for the cost of 100 lapua 6.5 SRP. More time shooting, less time reloading. Also obviously the projectiles are cheap.
4) Barrel life.

When I hit the range, I usually warm up with the 16” 308 barrel with 175 TMKs with no brake, then when I switch to the 223 I can drill holes on top of holes.

I was considering a 22Creed but to be honest, with the type of shooting I’m doing, the extra squeeze might not be worth the lack of barrel life.

 

[st1650]

223 is my favorite round to shoot. Both in bolt and semi. I've been using factory 50-60 grain vmax and 53 grain vmax super performance. Might switch to 75+ grains of get better performance at 550+

View attachment 6891188View attachment 6891189

Get some varget and some heavies 75+ gr ... you’ll never go back to the other stuff with the DTA SAC conv. Just load them really really long.

 

[ratton]

I built an XM-3 223 trainer. Shoot it more than my 308 XM-3 build. Just tough to find reasonably priced 77grn ammo right now.

 

[deersniper]

Get some varget and some heavies 75+ gr ... you’ll never go back to the other stuff with the DTA SAC conv. Just load them really really long.

https://forfun.com/Fxw7

But really I should have a custom reloader load me some long hot loads for it

 

[st1650]

https://forfun.com/Fxw7

View attachment 7617619

But really I should have a custom reloader load me some long hot loads for it

I am a man of humble dreams, but one of them is to be able to afford a polish maid who could iron my uniform and reload my ammo.

 

[deersniper]

Trusting a women to load your ammo.

Not today lol

 

[TommyD11730]

Yep, love the 223... I stress less about finding powder.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m9ZsTWx0Z8RcQw_sFd6vejLJeIBmUbZI/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[MarshallDodge]

223 is a favorite caliber, as well as 223AI

My latest 223 that I am starting to get dialed in

223AI

It shoots pretty dang good

 

[NotoriousBassin]

I think my next build is going to be a 223 bolt gun. These days it is so hard to find reloading components and I have plenty of power, primers, SMKs, dies, etc... from my precision AR that I can re-use.

 

[Moose]

You will not regret a 223 bolt rifle they are fun to shoot.

 

[memtb]

How much use does your .223 bolt gun get? Do you find it as enjoyable as your larger center-fire guns?

Occasionally! It’s enjoyable, and very satisfying when used within it’s operating parameters! memtb

 

[delinquent pleb]

Just a question for the .223AI owners out there, is it worth the hassle of fireforming for the increased capacity and powder burn? Does it reach higher velocities and accuracy easier than a .223? I have a T3x varmint 223 and it’s amazing, was wondering about chambering the next barrel to .223AI.