Help with a .223 build

[Sam19kilo]

Tired of burning up my 6.5 with practice. Seeing what you guys have on input for the most affordable .223 trainer I can build. I have a rem700, in a krg bravo with a 26” criterion. I want to come up with s plan where I can start the build. Let me know!
Ps
I did see the 700 .223 trainer in the Accuracy int chassis, don’t have $2000 lol

 

[Mr. F]

Is the r700 on the krg bravo a .223?

If it is i wouldn't go down the 700 build/accurizing rabbit hole. Ive done it and i think its not worth it.

For the amount of truing, bolt and lug work, side release and base screw upgrade your basically looking at the price of a new decent action. Granted, sometimes your smith has to true up the face of even new customs but your getting so much more in return. Thats without mentioning a marginally better resale value on it.

Your getting a new barrel anyway so add to that the barrel and fit work...

IDK maybe a few years ago it was justifiable but i hopped on the SH r700 accurizing band wagon a couple of times and i wish i didn't. The only reason i still have one of those "raced up" 700 its because it just dead nutz accurate... but the action leaves a lot to be desired compared to the newer customs...

 

[Sam19kilo]

Is the r700 on the krg bravo a .223?

If it is i wouldn't go down the 700 build/accurizing rabbit hole. Ive done it and i think its not worth it.

For the amount of truing, bolt and lug work, side release and base screw upgrade your basically looking at the price of a new decent action. Granted, sometimes your smith has to true up the face of even new customs but your getting some much back. Thats without mentioning a marginally better resale value on it.

Your getting a new barrel anyway so add to that the barrel and fit work...

IDK maybe a few years ago it was justifiable but i hopped on the SH r700 accurizing band wagon a couple of times and i wish i didn't. The only reason i still have one of those "raced up" 700 its because it just dead nutz accurate... but the action leaves a lot to be desired compared to the newer customs...

It’s in 6.5 creed, I have had the opportunity to shoot Curtis axiom, bighorn, and an AI and guess I could upgrade the creed with a better action and use the rem for the 223 build. As it’s a trainer, I’m not “too” concerned with the action

 

[Mr. F]

Barrel and fitting should be no more than $600 on your existing r700... you ll need a new bolt if you dont have one spare. PTG (wait and pray) or LRI are the two options that come to mind.

Call LRI see if you can get away with fitting a bolt only... something tells me the ll require you to do more work to the action for them to take the bolt job tho. I could be wrong.

 

[Mr. F]

On sloppy R700 threads, barrels sometimes won't headspace back again. You may get differing headspace when swapping barrels.

I guess that could explain why LRI changes the pitch thread on the r700 tennon when they work em over.

Further reinforcing the notion that working over a r700 might not be the smartest route if you end up having to re cut r700 threads.

 

[Sam19kilo]

It sounds you just need to pick up a Howa in 223 and slap it in a Bravo. For a more refined setup I would recommend a Bighorn TL3 with a 6.5 and a .223 barrel to replace both rifles. Might save you money in the long run on glass and you won't get a better similarity in trainer <-> comp gun.

That’s why you guys rule, I don’t hear anything about Howa but like the option, it already comes with a bravo. Bighorn action is on my list for sure. I have two big matches I’m doing this year hoping I get lucky and get a 50%cert.

 

[Estes640]

Tired of burning up my 6.5 with practice. Seeing what you guys have on input for the most affordable .223 trainer I can build. I have a rem700, in a krg bravo with a 26” criterion. I want to come up with s plan where I can start the build. Let me know!
Ps
I did see the 700 .223 trainer in the Accuracy int chassis, don’t have $2000 lol

I’d ask about the barreled action only from the guy. I believe he said he’d split if I remember correctly. Then just drop it in your current chassis

 

[Sheldon N]

I agree to upgrade to an Origin or TL3 with bolt heads if you can swing it.

The cheap route is to buy a 223 bolt body from someone then get a remage 223 barrel and some headspace gauges. Yes, it will still be a Rem 700 and sloppy with questionable primary extraction but it should be useable.

 

[ilmonster]

I bought a Rem 700 SPS Tac a few years ago in .223 on sale, tossed the Tupperware stock for a Bravo and added a Timney 510 for a sweet shooting rig for well under $1,000. I have no complaints and it will shoot 0.5 MOA five shot groups all day long. It came with a 1:9 twist barrel and shoots 75 gr. Hornady BTHP's over TAC really well.

A Howa BA in .223 thrown into a Bravo would also be a solid option. Wait for Brownells to have one of their 10% off sales to get both the action and stock if you decide to go the Howa route!

 

[J Scott]

How about a Howa Mini Action-chassis? According to the info in the link below, their .223 has a 1-8" twist.

Howa MiniAction Chassis Rifle | HOWA USA

Howa MiniAction Chassis Rifles are compact and exceptionally accurate. These rifles feature a receiver that is 12% shorter than the Howa Short Action receivers. The reduced size allows for a lighter rifle as well as a shorter bolt throw for faster reloads.

www.howausa.com

 

[Kimber.204]

The thing I really love about my Bighorn TL3 (same for other actions with Savage Small Shank Threads) is that you can buy cheap take off barrels. My 26in long Savage take off barrel in .223Rem (1:9 twist) will hold around a 1" group for 5 shots at 300yards - a 10 round group opens up to about 1.25". Pretty good for a barrel that I bought for $125. I've put a couple thousand rounds through it and velocity is still stable. Completely comfortable shooting short/local matches with it. Then before a big match I twist on the 6mm-Souper-Douper-Bangin'-Flooper (or what ever your match gun is) ....and in two shots I'm zero'd and ready to roll.

 

[bunsen27]

I did a trainer build last year for ~$1400 including trigger upgrade:

Bare action ($280-$310)

Remington 700 Short Action .223 Rem Carbon Steel

Get the best deal on 700 Short Action .223 Rem Bolt Action Rifles at GrabAGun.com. Order the Remington 700 Short Action .223 Rem Carbon Steel online and save. Flat rate shipping on all guns and ammo with the best prices around!

grabagun.com

I upgraded the factory trigger to Timney Calvin Elite then a Geissele. ($250)

Prefit Remage Barrels by Criterion Barrels| Northland Shooters Supply

Northland Shooters Supply offers prefit Remage barrels by Criterion barrels that are hand lapped match grade barrels, finished and fully chambered.

northlandshooterssupply.com

I'd go with the Wylde chamber. My 26" Criterion barrel has been phenomenal with Hornady 73/75gr ELD-M's and TAC ($400)

https://mdttac.com/us_en/mdt-polymer-magazines.html

($40 each)

Either order a new Bravo (+$400) or use your existing chassis by swapping out barreled actions (-$400)

 

[ilmonster]

I am thinking of doing what Bunsen27 suggests in a different caliber. I calculate around $1,500 all in, (I too would use a Bravo stock as I like the one I have on my R700 .223) and I could do barrel changes myself with the Remage tools.