So I bought one of those Dick's Sporting Goods specials last Fall. A R700 ADL Varmint in .223. I thought it would fill a niche for me and maybe make a good platform to get my wife back into shooting with me. So I farted around a bit with other things, took it out once and really disliked the stock. It wouldn't settle down and I noticed that there were two nubs (for lack of a better word) at the far end of the forearm that seemed to push on the barrel. While I know I could probably have just ground those nubs off of the stock, I succumbed to temptation and bought a used laminated stock from one of you good guys here. So here is how it looks now, with a cheap Leapers scope on it:
I had to modify the mag box from the ADL to fit the BDL bottom metal, but that works fine now and feeds great.
Now to the part where I need advice, or maybe just a smack upside the head like a good mule.
When I bought the rifle, I also bought 6 boxes of the cheap UMC ammo they had on sale. This shoots OK, sorta. But even though I know it's the jerk behind the trigger that makes a rifle shoot. it seems to me that this stuff isn't the best ammo for this rifle.
Now I know that this barrel has the 1-12 varmint twist, so the heavier match stuff isn't likely going to do well in it. Should I be looking for something lighter? Gut says yes.
Any light factory match loads available to start?
Then comes the real issue. I'm not set up for reloading yet and finding anything at all is hard to do in a factory loading. Where should I start to get the right loads for this?
Does anyone have advice for getting into reloading for this round?
Maybe an affordable reloading set up?
Yeah, I know I sound like a total newb...because I am... Any help is much appreciated.
Optimal bullet weight for the 1-12 twist? (40-50ish?)
I had to modify the mag box from the ADL to fit the BDL bottom metal, but that works fine now and feeds great.
Now to the part where I need advice, or maybe just a smack upside the head like a good mule.
When I bought the rifle, I also bought 6 boxes of the cheap UMC ammo they had on sale. This shoots OK, sorta. But even though I know it's the jerk behind the trigger that makes a rifle shoot. it seems to me that this stuff isn't the best ammo for this rifle.
Now I know that this barrel has the 1-12 varmint twist, so the heavier match stuff isn't likely going to do well in it. Should I be looking for something lighter? Gut says yes.
Any light factory match loads available to start?
Then comes the real issue. I'm not set up for reloading yet and finding anything at all is hard to do in a factory loading. Where should I start to get the right loads for this?
Does anyone have advice for getting into reloading for this round?
Maybe an affordable reloading set up?
Yeah, I know I sound like a total newb...because I am... Any help is much appreciated.
Optimal bullet weight for the 1-12 twist? (40-50ish?)
Last edited: