223 trainer

[Swoodhouse19]

I recently put a 223 trainer together that is a twin to my match rifle. I love shooting this little beast! Nothing fancy...just a Remington 700 action with a criterion remage 1:7 barrel. Anyone have some ideas for me to shoot heavier projectiles but stay at mag length (2.5ish) thanks! I would like to use it for more than just a trainer as its just so fun and economical to shoot!

 

[King_beardsly]

What weight projectile are you currently run and what do you want to run. I know people running the 77gr RDF’s with out much issue or the offering from Sierra

 

[rcmigpilot]

For mag length the 77gr SMKs are pretty good and available in many factory flavors if you don't want to roll your own. I've had several .223s, gas and bolt, and all shoot them well. My 1-9 MVP also likes Hornady 75gr black and 73gr ELD, all shoot about 3/4 MOA. There are some out there that have had good luck notching the front of the mags to get the 80gr Bergers to work.

 

[Dai Bando]

2.5ish should be plenty to run 75 eld's and maybe 88's depending on the throat.

Leverevolution, AR Comp and 8208 xbr in that order.

 

[Wssickta]

Tag, my trainer is almost done

 

[223Pete]

I load 75gr BTHPs over 23.5gr 8208 in LC brass. 2.55" oal. It shoots .25 - .3" 5rd groups out of my bolt gun. 2900 from a 26" barrel. It also shoots great out of my 20" WOA SPR barrel at 2790. Both Wylde chambers. It's kinda universal load for me. The Hornady BTHPs are extremely tunable, cost 14¢ a piece in bulk and have a G1 BC of .4, better than the 77 SMK that Sierra is just so damn proud of.

I will have to check these bullets out. Very good info.

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

I’ve been thrilled with the 77gr SMK’s over Ramshot TAC powder. I just load em to the same length as the Factory Norma 77’s https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1311224324

I’m running a Factory Remington 700 SPS Tac. I put it in a McMillan stock and couldn’t be more pleased.

 

[Wssickta]

I’ve been thrilled with the 77gr SMK’s over Ramshot TAC powder. I just load em to the same length as the Factory Norma 77’s https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1311224324

I’m running a Factory Remington 700 SPS Tac. I put it in a McMillan stock and couldn’t be more pleased.

View attachment 7211550

Nice looking groups, what length and twist?

 

[lr123]

I plan to work up a load of 8208 under a 75 amax for my bolt gun. So far I’ve only shot factory loaded 73 eld’s and 77 smk’s

 

[223Pete]

I’ve been thrilled with the 77gr SMK’s over Ramshot TAC powder. I just load em to the same length as the Factory Norma 77’s https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1311224324

I’m running a Factory Remington 700 SPS Tac. I put it in a McMillan stock and couldn’t be more pleased.

View attachment 7211550

Which McMillan is that? Nice shooting.

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

Nice looking groups, what length and twist?

Thanks, it’s the factory barrel. 20” 9twist. Running a Hunter Arms can. Pretty tame by today’s standards.....but she shoots well enough for the fun I get out of shooting out to 500.

Which McMillan is that? Nice shooting.

A5 non adjustable comb and NOT bedded. Maybe I got lucky?

 

[Jabot]

I load 75gr BTHPs over 23.5gr 8208 in LC brass. 2.55" oal. It shoots .25 - .3" 5rd groups out of my bolt gun. 2900 from a 26" barrel. It also shoots great out of my 20" WOA SPR barrel at 2790. Both Wylde chambers. It's kinda universal load for me. The Hornady BTHPs are extremely tunable, cost 14¢ a piece in bulk and have a G1 BC of .4, better than the 77 SMK that Sierra is just so damn proud of.

Told u woodhouse

 

[Jabot]

Told u woodhouse

Use benchmark

 

[Jabot]

You're keyed into the fact that Benchmark and 8208 are extremely similar aren't you

Nope didn't no that thanks for the info

 

[Jabot]

You're keyed into the fact that Benchmark and 8208 are extremely similar aren't you

This is what your refuting to correct

 

[Jabot]

No, I'm not refuting or correcting anything. I'm just trying to read in between the lines of your sparsely worded posts that quote me, but directed at someone else. I've heard Benchmark and 8208 are pretty much the same thing. It sounds like you were hinting at the same thing, but frankly I'm just confused as shit at what your getting at

Look I was screwing with woodhouse he's my friend nothing was intended to offend u .but the fact that 8208 and benchmark are similar powders r good to no so I said thanks. I ment nothing to offend you

 

[SEMO Shooter]

80.5 Berger Full Bore Target bullet, Lapua brass, CCI 450 primer, with Varget @ 2960 fps. 1.91" BTO or 2.38" COAL. 1:7 Bartlein 26" barrel on a Remington action. It only needs .1 mil more elevation that my 260 rem load at 800 yards.

 

[bunsen27]

I recently put a 223 trainer together that is a twin to my match rifle. I love shooting this little beast! Nothing fancy...just a Remington 700 action with a criterion remage 1:7 barrel. Anyone have some ideas for me to shoot heavier projectiles but stay at mag length (2.5ish) thanks! I would like to use it for more than just a trainer as its just so fun and economical to shoot!

Which chamber did you get in your Criterion barrel? I have the .223 wylde in a 26" 1 in 8" twist. It has shot every factory load I have tried in it (55gr Vmax, 69gr SMK, Black Hills 77gr SMK) amazingly well! My go to developed load is for both the 73gr & 75gr ELDM's. I run the same charge of TAC for both at 25.2gr. CCI 41 primer and LC brass or Lapua brass. The 73gr is just over 3k fps and the 75gr is just a smidge under. I mainly utilize the 73gr for PDogs and Whistle pigs as they fragment versus the 75gr tend to just blow through.

 

[Swoodhouse19]

Wylde. 1:7 Shooting factory black 75gn. Shoots great. Only taken it to 900. But shoots great. I’ll hand load once I get some brass. I have some 77 RDF’s I wanna try

 

[Swoodhouse19]

24”

 

[RFutch]

Since were talking Criterion’s in .223. The savage in the red McMillan. Match chamber 22”. 80 SMK over Varget

The next weekend I shot this with the same load. Both 5 shot groups.

 

[dgheriani]

I run the 75gr BTHP or ELDM with 25.0gr Varget and CCI 400s in Rem brass. I get 2900+fps out of my 26" barrel and it shoots 1/2 Moa or less. The 75 BTHP is the ticket for cheap practice, decent BC and easy to get to shoot accurately.

If you feel like trying factory ammo, the Hornady factory steel match uses the same 75 BTHP bullet and shoots accurately in my rifle too but it's slow as balls (2690 in a 26" barrel)

 

[223Pete]

Since were talking Criterion’s in .223. The savage in the red McMillan. Match chamber 22”. 80 SMK over Varget
View attachment 7213146
The next weekend I shot this with the same load. Both 5 shot groups.
View attachment 7213147

Dang! Nice shooting!!

 

[RFutch]

Thanks. It nor I will do that every time but every once in a while it all comes together. I will say that I would have no doubts about buying another Criterion.

 

[Triple D]

75elds and Varget is a good combination. It’s a consistent sub .5moa combination and they transition well when shooting beyond 1100yds.

Girlfriend almost matched my group but pulled one.