Prs rifle choice

[FrozenMinnesotan]

I'm looking to do a few matches a year, club style matches going from 600 to 1100 yards. I have 2 rifles I can use.

1) rem722 308 20" will be braked
2) rem 700 223 8t 26" can or braked
The 308 balances just in front of magwell, 223 about 5" forward.
Which would.you choose? The 223 shoots 73gr eldm great. The 308 shoots 168gr eld well also. Both set up the same. Not looking to win but be competitive and have fun.

 

[Lightning8]

I would shoot the 223 and learn as much as I can while having a good time.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

Another vote for the 223, I built one as a trainer but shot quite a few matches with it and don't give up much to my 6GT.

 

[Covertnoob5]

223 with a brake and something on the heavier side. 70+ grain. The 73 ELDM should be good if not look for Berger 77’s I believe.

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

I look forward to trying the 223 out. Any recommendations on 10rd mags? I have accurate mag 5rds and alot of the time rounds nose dive.

 

[1911Shootist]

Where are you shooting? Most of the MN ranges only go to ~600 yards.

I’m building a 223 just for fun at Red Wing & West Branch.

 

[Rob01]

I look forward to trying the 223 out. Any recommendations on 10rd mags? I have accurate mag 5rds and alot of the time rounds nose dive.

MDT poly 10 round mags work great in my .223.

You might want to check the feed ramp on your 700 and the oal of your rounds and make sure that is not causing the nose dives. You can notch or grind back the feed ramp as it’s not needed with the AICS mags.

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

Im up north of duluth but plan to go to Harris and new York mills

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

MDT poly 10 round mags work great in my .223.

You might want to check the feed ramp on your 700 and the oal of your rounds and make sure that is not causing the nose dives. You can notch or grind back the feed ramp as it’s not needed with the AICS mags.

They nose dive b4 I even run bolt forward. Once I eject the spent round, next round is already down like back came up but front drug

 

[Rob01]

They nose dive b4 I even run bolt forward. Once I eject the spent round, next round is already down like back came up but front drug

Then just dump them and get some MDT mags.

 

[jpjulian]

I also have a Bravo for my .223 700. MDT 10 rounders work just fine. Haven't had a single issue with them and they are fairly priced also.

 

[mr_fullmetal]

.223 for sure on 1 day club level matches. Talk some shit and have fun

 

[Hickswr]

Nothing fun about shooting a 20” braked 308 all day.

 

[BurtG]

223 all day. Guys do good-great with them.

I’d recommend a spigot bipod mount to get the bipod a little forward and closer to bore line

 

[fdkay]

I really like that 722, looks like it has a pretty stout barrel.
I concur with most here that the .223 is probably your best choice.
If you get the itch to shoot that .308, see if you can develop a 155 grain load that it likes. You'll reduce recoil.
The 155 ELD M has a very similar BC to the 168 SMK, though the BC is significantly lower than the 178, you can make up much of that with the increased velocity.

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

I do too. Especially since I got the barreled action for $450 with a timney trigger. I don't reload yet but plan to next spring. I still.need to get a stock and scope for it, these were used for testing. Only gripe is neck is tight at .336 and I'm having a buddy open it up to Saami spec so I can run factory ammo reliably. We measured the twist at 1:14 but we could be wrong. Shoots 168gr hornady around .6"

 

[hlee]

223 all day. Guys do good-great with them.

I’d recommend a spigot bipod mount to get the bipod a little forward and closer to bore line

View attachment 8470573View attachment 8470574

Getting the bipod out there now is great for stability, but a pain in the ass if you find you need to adjust the bipod from behind the gun under time.

 

[BurtG]

Getting the bipod out there now is great for stability, but a pain in the ass if you find you need to adjust the bipod from behind the gun under time.

Meh. Have you used a bravo ? They are pretty short.

Get a arca spigot arca bipod arca rail for rifle. Then you have options.

 

[hlee]

No, I have not tried a bravo. I have just found that if I cannot reach the bipod with my support hand from behind the rifle, it is too far out for me. That bit me in the ass once “on the clock.” If I am not mistaken, I went home and bought a full length arca rail for that gun. If it wasn’t immediately after, it was before the next match.

That said, the stocks you posted do look kinda short on the fore end.

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

No, I have not tried a bravo. I have just found that if I cannot reach the bipod with my support hand from behind the rifle, it is too far out for me. That bit me in the ass once “on the clock.” If I am not mistaken, I went home and bought a full length arca rail for that gun. If it wasn’t immediately after, it was before the next match.

That said, the stocks you posted do look kinda short on the fore end.

They are short.

 

[Rob01]

I really like that 722, looks like it has a pretty stout barrel.
I concur with most here that the .223 is probably your best choice.
If you get the itch to shoot that .308, see if you can develop a 155 grain load that it likes. You'll reduce recoil.
The 155 ELD M has a very similar BC to the 168 SMK, though the BC is significantly lower than the 178, you can make up much of that with the increased velocity.

He is shooting the 168 ELD-M now which is a perfect bullet for his needs in a match. Has a great BC for weight and he can get them going plenty fast enough. He won't gain anything going to a 155 in a 20" barrel and lose BC.

Nothing fun about shooting a 20” braked 308 all day.

Sure there is. You are shooting a match. It's fun. A 20" with a brake is just fine for recoil and is not punishing at all.

 

[Jack_L]

Suppressed .223 will definitely be more enjoyable, just 2 things to consider:
1: Don't break the 3200 3,000 ft/s speed limit (for Tactical Division) *credit to Rob01 for the correction.
2: .223 can be difficult to spot misses depending on the berm conditions

 

[Rob01]

They are short.

You could throw on a 14" ARCA rail.

 

[Rob01]

Suppressed .223 will definitely be more enjoyable, just 2 things to consider:
1: Don't break the 3200 ft/s speed limit
2: .223 can be difficult to spot misses depending on the berm conditions

Limit is 3000fps for .223 in TAC division which is what he should be shooting n with his .223.

 

[BurtG]

bit me in the ass once “on the clock.

Those are the lessons you don’t forget.

Why Il never use a “rear bag “ again. Game changer has much more versatility. Read bag didn’t have enough height

 

[hlee]

Those are the lessons you don’t forget.

Why Il never use a “rear bag “ again. Game changer has much more versatility. Read bag didn’t have enough height

I learned that same lesson, but only after buying too many rear bags that were supposed to be “the greatest” but really sucked.

 

[Jack_L]

Limit is 3000fps for .223 in TAC division which is what he should be shooting n with his .223.

D'oh!
I'm used to Open rules. Thanks

 

[Kfive73]

Have you looked at the heavy accessories for the butt of the bravo? Might be able to bring that weight a little more centered

 

[M4orturnate]

MDT poly 10 round mags work great in my .223.

You might want to check the feed ramp on your 700 and the oal of your rounds and make sure that is not causing the nose dives. You can notch or grind back the feed ramp as it’s not needed with the AICS mags.

Second the poly mags and I can stuff 12 in mine. The first round feed tight tho

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

Have you looked at the heavy accessories for the butt of the bravo? Might be able to bring that weight a little more centered

I have. I plan to order them at some point

 

[Rob01]

Have you looked at the heavy accessories for the butt of the bravo? Might be able to bring that weight a little more centered

No reason to buy accessories just for weight. Fill the rear with some lead shot and you will be fine with rear weight for cheap.

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

No reason to buy accessories just for weight. Fill the rear with some lead shot and you will be fine with rear weight for cheap.

They make actual internal weights for the buttstock. Shot is cheaper though

 

[Rob01]

They make actual internal weights for the buttstock. Shot is cheaper though

I know they do but they do nothing but add weight. You want to spend a bunch of money for weight then have at it. Shot will do the same job at a fraction of the price.

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

Which I agreed with.

 

[Rob01]

I know you did but I was just letting you know I knew about the accessories. If you want to buy something buy a 14" arca rail for the front of the rifle.

 

[smoooth1]

They nose dive b4 I even run bolt forward. Once I eject the spent round, next round is already down like back came up but front drug

Try taking the mag apart and stretching the spring a bit. I had a a similar issue with a 300WM AICS CIP mag and stretching the spring a little solved the problem.

Good luck!

 

[BurtG]

Arca Swiss Accessories – Kinetic Research Group

kineticresearchgroup.com

The XL Is the long one

 

[Rob01]

Arca Rail XL Heavy – Kinetic Research Group

kineticresearchgroup.com

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Rebarrel the 308 Into 6.5cm or 6 creed. That's your best bet becuase both options you have kinda suck for distances you plan to shoot.

.308 dominates .223 in tac class becuase of higher BC bullets and ability to spot hits/misses. If your matches were all inside 700, then .223 makes more sense but at those distances good luck spotting.

Personally I would run the 308. Something like the new 169 smk, 175 berger otm or the 176 atip. You are loosing velocity and ballance but the BC and ability to see your misses mean more imo. You can add weight to bravo via steel arca rail too.

If you just want to get out and shoot then run what you brung and have fun. But if you want to be semi successfull and develop your skills...then you need to run gear that's not holding you back. A simple rebarrel to a competent caliber and increase in weight is going to make a huge difference in the shootability and putting rounds on steel.

 

[BurtG]

your matches were all inside 700, then .223 makes more sense but at those distances good luck spotting.

Good point.

223 will cost you points. When you make hits. But the spotters can’t see them

 

[spife7980]

223 is a whole lot of fun if you are on your game, but if you are off a little you very well may never see where and it becomes frustrating.
308 is rougher, especially in a 16lb package but youll see where you missed at much more often if you can control the recoil which can equal more points.

So I say it depends on how you intend to enjoy competing; casually going out and see what you can do vs trying to compete compete.

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

223 is a whole lot of fun if you are on your game, but if you are off a little you very well may never see where and it becomes frustrating.
308 is rougher, especially in a 16lb package but youll see where you missed at much more often if you can control the recoil which can equal more points.

So I say it depends on how you intend to enjoy competing; casually going out and see what you can do vs trying to compete compete.

Mostly fun. I don't got the time nor the funds to get real serious. Most of my shooting is under 600 yards anyway.

 

[spife7980]

Mostly fun. I don't got the time nor the funds to get real serious. Most of my shooting is under 600 yards anyway.

223, with the 8 twist and the 73gr you can do well enough then, the long stuff will be a toss up but that comes with the territory.

 

[kthomas]

Those are the lessons you don’t forget.

Why Il never use a “rear bag “ again. Game changer has much more versatility. Read bag didn’t have enough height

I've never liked using a game changer type bag as rear support. I find a rear bag much more versatile.

But different things work for different people.

 

[kthomas]

@FrozenMinnesotan - either will work, I wouldn't overthink it. I would take turns shooting your two rifles at matches, and see what works best for you.

And most importantly, when you start shooting matches just remember you are there for a good time, enjoy! It's a steep learning curve at first, and it can be demoralizing to see (very) low scores on your first couple of matches, but the scores will come!

 

[FrozenMinnesotan]

@FrozenMinnesotan - either will work, I wouldn't overthink it. I would take turns shooting your two rifles at matches, and see what works best for you.

And most importantly, when you start shooting matches just remember you are there for a good time, enjoy! It's a steep learning curve at first, and it can be demoralizing to see (very) low scores on your first couple of matches, but the scores will come!

Thanks. Won't be my first match. Just first past 600

 

[Rob01]

When you are shooting the .223 you are up against others in Tac and not guys with 6mm etc so go have fun and learn. Don’t stress winning.

 

[BurtG]

 

[1911Shootist]

Hell yeah. If you can get on the overall podium while shooting Tac, that's pretty awesome.

 

[hlee]

Tac division, where the winners show up...