View Full Version : .223 precision bolt action rifle
I decided to get a precision bolt action rifle in .223 so I can share ammo with my ARs. Unfortunately, it seems the majority of factory .223 rifles have 1/9 twists. I was planning on using mostly 75-77 grain bullets.
I wonder what experience people had with .223 bolt rifles in 1/9 twists, and what some rifles that are recommended in this caliber?
Thanks.
I bought a Rem700 5R threaded. It shoots great. I shoot mostly 69gr but I have shot 75grainers very well. We shot 69's out to a 1,000 yards so I don't think you have to have 75grainers to reach out.
I have a Rem 700 LTR with 1 in 9" twist barrel and I love it. It has shot every 69gr and 75gr reload I have tried through it into less than 1 MOA along with factory Hornady 75gr, FGMM 69gr, and FGMM 77gr.
Below are pictures of several groups the rifle has produced. The first was done just a few weeks ago and are the first 5 shot groups I ever fired with 69gr Federal Gold Medal Match at 100yds. All are under a MOA, even the 2nd group with the lone flier that was my fault. The second pic is of several 75gr reloads and Hornady factory match ammo I fired through it. Once again, all 5 shot groups at 100yds, and measure less than 1 MOA center to center.
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg14/boltgun71/700LTRwith69grFGGM.jpg
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg14/boltgun71/75gr5-shotgroups.jpg
Oh, and the rifle.
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg14/boltgun71/PB110001.jpg
Running it through an Advanced LE Course last fall in AZ.
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg14/boltgun71/day3_0163.jpg
Now shooting 75gr and higher bullets through a 1 in 9" twist can be luck of the draw, but you won't know until you try it. Internet hearsay would have you believe a 1 in 9" will not stabilize anything over 69gr. I have a Rem 700 LTR that will gladly prove them wrong.
there was a remarkable thread on twist rates and bullet weight a while ago , i suggested it should;d be a sticky. Don't know where it is, but if you can find it, its explains what I can't.
PB
Now shooting 75gr and higher bullets through a 1 in 9" twist can be luck of the draw, but you won't know until you try it. Internet hearsay would have you believe a 1 in 9" will not stabilize anything over 69gr. Choosing proper twist rate has nothing to do with bullet weight. Velocity, and bullet length are the only two factors. This is the case with all spin-stabilized projectiles.
It just so happens that heavier usually means longer.
You can run longer bullets in a slower twist if you push them fast enough. With enough spin, they will stabilize. Take the F-class and plama shooters. They run long barrels and push things way faster than normal. This affords them a slower twist.
I think this may be the thread:
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=99666
Choosing proper twist rate has nothing to do with bullet weight. Velocity, and bullet length are the only two factors. This is the case with all spin-stabilized projectiles.
It just so happens that heavier usually means longer.
You can run longer bullets in a slower twist if you push them fast enough. With enough spin, they will stabilize. Take the F-class and plama shooters. They run long barrels and push things way faster than normal. This affords them a slower twist.
You are exactly right. The Hornady factory 75gr Match is the only ammo I have chrono'ed through my LTR so far and it has a average velocity of 2,621fps out of its 20", 1 in 9"twist barrel. That has been good enough to stabilize that 75gr projectile out to 300yds on paper and consistently print less than 1 MOA.
Boxerglocker
04-01-12, 16:14
I finally got my Remington SPS Tac out in .223 out to sight in and do some groups the other night.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/563216_183359485117255_100003296141037_277865_1310016456_n.jpg
Only shot 4, five shot groups for actual groups size after sighting in and 20 rounds of break-in shots and cleaning. This was the best of the 4 groups . Still had a flyer in there and actually called it after the shot broke. Can't complain 0.4 MOA for 4 or the 5 shots in that group.
http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp63579%3Enu%3D68%3C5%3E%3A47%3E254%3EWSNRCG%3D343%3B6%3A4%3B79345nu0mrj
Horandy Vmax 50g backed with 24.8g TAC and CCI#400 SRP
Now, that I have a baseline of what this rifle can do I'll be moving onto heavier bullets and combo powders to try...
Canonshooter
04-01-12, 17:32
Boxerglocker, give the Hornady .223 75 grain match load a try - it has shot very well out of multiple AR uppers I've tried it in.
BTW, does the "boxer" part of your screen name refer to a sport or an engine configuration?
Boxerglocker
04-02-12, 12:11
Boxerglocker, give the Hornady .223 75 grain match load a try - it has shot very well out of multiple AR uppers I've tried it in.
BTW, does the "boxer" part of your screen name refer to a sport or an engine configuration?
The Boxer refers to my old faithful friend Kira the white boxer dog I have pictured as my Avatar.
I'm try those Horandy 75g match out when I come across them. I'm more inclined to reload my own but do buy small quantities for testing and data baseline.
I know it's a bit apples to oranges, but I've had excellent accuracy using Hornady 75gr TAP out of a 16" 1\9 AR.
I had/have the same inclination about like ammo in various rifles.
My first attempt at a precision bolt gun in .223 was with a 700 sps tactical which I'm very happy with.
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt109/draper1950/Rem700007.jpg
Then I got a lucky deal on Steyr Scout (in .223) that I'd been coveting for a while.
http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt109/draper1950/steyr_scout_3.jpg
Don't ask me how they compare because I haven't had the chance to match them up yet.
I have shot lots of 69 and 75 grain bullets through 1 in 9 twist barrels on both a Savage and Remington SPS Tactical. They shoot great.
How does the cheap 55 grain ammo shoot?
How does the cheap 55 grain ammo shoot?
Like crap. I didn't think I could shoot 4/5 inch groups with any ammo out of my bolt gun. Rem 700 5R. But you can. I had a similar experience with my LMT MWS, I had some ammo shooting 4/5 inch groups so I thought to myself " gas gun is finicky" . Tried it out of my Remmy 5R, it only came down an inch at best. It truly shocks me how bad some ammo can shoot.
So don't get a bolt gun thinking you can get cheap ammo and stack groups, not gunna happen. Likewise, don't think your bolt gun sucks when you shoot a horrific group. Garbage in Garbge out.
Like crap. I didn't think I could shoot 4/5 inch groups with any ammo out of my bolt gun. Rem 700 5R. But you can. I had a similar experience with my LMT MWS, I had some ammo shooting 4/5 inch groups so I thought to myself " gas gun is finicky" . Tried it out of my Remmy 5R, it only came down an inch at best. It truly shocks me how bad some ammo can shoot.
So don't get a bolt gun thinking you can get cheap ammo and stack groups, not gunna happen. Likewise, don't think your bolt gun sucks when you shoot a horrific group. Garbage in Garbge out.
You just burst my balloon. Thanks. That is a very usefull piece of info. I had a similar experince with a basic lmt ar. The cheap 55gr stuff was awful. The quality 75gr stuff is just fine.
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