223 bolt action

[LakeTrout]

You know, the 204 ruger doesn't suck neither.

It doesn’t. I’m just thinking 22ARC is the same caliber as 223, just different brass. So, many of us already have bullets, powder, etc. for it. For hand loaders that don’t own a bolt action and want a .224 caliber, maybe other options should be looked at like 22ARC. Just thinking out loud.

 

[LakeTrout]

View attachment 977338



Mine is also in an Oryx chassis. At the moment I don’t hand load. It shoots 3/4 MOA with just about any factory ammo with a 65gr or heavier bullet. I got it as a barreled action from Brownells which saved a few bucks knowing I was going to drop it in a chassis. I will say chassis options are limited for the mini action.

That is awesome! I kind of want to bed the action into a laminate wood stock. Not sure why but I’ve always liked the look and feel.

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

I've been very tempted going the 22 ARC route.

I like this idea. Or even the 6.5 Grendel.
Like noted above it’s nice to keep similar components but realistically it’s not a huge investment to have a few hundred pieces of brass and get into a new caliber bullet.

I would vote for the 6 or 6.5

 

[Gerbs54]

That is awesome! I kind of want to bed the action into a laminate wood stock. Not sure why but I’ve always liked the look and feel.

I think boyds makes wood stocks for the mini action,

 

[lukewarm_fuzz]

Back on the 223 bolt action kick. For some reason we need one.

Varmint and predator hunting. Any particular model you would go for? I'm a big tikka fan.

How about barrel length and twist? Is there a twist out there that would handle lighter varmint rounds (50 to 55 gr) and heavier (68g+) coyote rounds?

Thx Pete

I’ve got an Axis for you if that’s what you end up on

 

[peterk123]

So, if I want to be able shoot varmint rounds in the 40 to 53 grain range, what barrel twist should I be looking for? Does 1:9 do it or do I go with a slower twist? 1:12 too limiting?

 

[p..]

So, if I want to be able shoot varmint rounds in the 40 to 53 grain range, what barrel twist should I be looking for? Does 1:9 do it or do I go with a slower twist? 1:12 too limiting?

I run 50 grain Hornady V-Max in 16" 1/7 twist, 24" 1/8 twist, and 20" 1/12 twist 223 barrels and it's fine in all of them. I have a few loads that run about 3,150 fps out of the 24" 1/8 barrel so the bullet's turning about 285k rpm, no jacket separation issues. A couple loads go about 0.8 - 0.9 inch 10 shot groups at 100 yards.

My suspicion is if you were running 40 grain bullets and they started coming apart, you could probably dial back the powder charge until they didn't spin into oblivion.

 

[peterk123]

I run 50 grain Hornady V-Max in 16" 1/7 twist, 24" 1/8 twist, and 20" 1/12 twist 223 barrels and it's fine in all of them. I have a few loads that run about 3,150 fps out of the 24" 1/8 barrel so the bullet's turning about 285k rpm, no jacket separation issues. A couple loads go about 0.8 - 0.9 inch 10 shot groups at 100 yards.

My suspicion is if you were running 40 grain bullets and they started coming apart, you could probably dial back the powder charge until they didn't spin into oblivion.

Thanks. I was wondering if backing off on the powder could help things if needed.

I flip flop between the 223 and the 204 ruger. I have opportunities to hunt marmot, fox, prairie dogs and other varmints. 204 probably more fur friendly. 223 ammo options are greater though.

 

[p..]

Thanks. I was wondering if backing off on the powder could help things if needed.

I flip flop between the 223 and the 204 ruger. I have opportunities to hunt marmot, fox, prairie dogs and other varmints. 204 probably more fur friendly. 223 ammo options are greater though.

It's all really a guess on my part. I haven't gone lower than 50 grains, and with that bullet I found some loads that grouped well and was not at especially frisky charges when that happened.

My pet load if I'm going for small groups is 24.7 grains of IMR 3031 in Lake City Brass with Hornady 50 grain V Max loaded to 2.160" OAL. I've had good luck with both CCI #41 and CCI #400 primers in AR platforms, have only tried CCI #400 in bolt gun.

My experience is more around blowing up bottles of water than little critters, and my club's range only goes out to 100 yards, so take it for what it's worth. But a 50g V Max going about 3000 fps will absolutely vaporize a 16 ounce bottle of water.

 

[CosbysQuaaludes]

What about a 22WMR?