.223 FTR/Tactical repeater??......

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lyle1

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Can anyone offer some experience or advice in regards to building a
precision .223 repeater? I was thinking either a 7 or 8 twist to shoot the heavier bullets 75g-90g. I understand that the AI plastic mags have a useful 2.576 OAL loading length; is this true? Maybe a Remington or clone action in a McMillan A-5, or equivelant type stock? Could this type of rifle be used forFTR shooting and varmint or tactical shooting? Does the repeater limit the practical advantage with the magazine constraints with the heavy bullets?
I am just thinking of a rifle that could be shot with handloaded or factory ammunition, that would have low recoil/fun to shoot for my 12 year old son and myself. Does the .308 do a better job?:)
F-Class/Varmint/Target shooters' thoughts would be greatly appreciated?
 
Worst case scenario you can single load the rounds into the chamber if they dont fit in the mag. I don't have any experince with the AI plastic mags sorry.

8 twist is good for 80gn bullets, 7 for the 90gn Id imagine.

If youre looking for an A-5 clone, the Choate Tactical Custom is the way to go. It's what I plan on using for my next rifle, unless I feel like going the AICS route...
 
I would say go with a 223, especially if you want your kid to enjoy it too. No large disadvantage to using a mag feed bolt over a single shot. Like Haagen sayed, if you want to load rounds longer than your mag, just single load them.

I'm using a Savage VLP DM in 223. I primarily have it for precision but will occasionally use it for F-class next season. I actually sold my 308 to buy it. Much cheaper to shoot and next to no recoil. Works for me for now. I reserve the right to change my mind later.
 
The 90gr Bergers need to be seated out a oal 2.64 ++ much shorter using most powders
you will be crushing the powder, never had good success with crushing powder
The 80gr Bergers should be fine
 
manitou210 said:
The 90gr Bergers need to be seated out a oal 2.64 ++ much shorter using most powders
you will be crushing the powder, never had good success with crushing powder
Click to expand...

Which gets you back to single loading. Of course you also need a throat length that will work with that OAL. I have not tried mine yet with 90 gn bullets so I don't know what I will have.
 
This is the reason I went with a .308. You can get the 155's to shoot at AI mag length and still get the velocities. Problem being recoil is significantly more tha the .223, with a heavy gun (mine weighs in at 17.5lbs) recoil really isn't a issue but for your 12 year old a .223 would be a better choice IMO, better to learn without the recoil.
Hard to make guns that will do it all lol
 
Yes, the idea WILL work.

My present 90gr Berger BT load DOES FIT in the AI mags AND shoot in my F class rifle.

You will need to remove a bit of material at the front of the mag but you can easily do this with a small dowel and some sandpaper. If you decide to run the ammo at the mag length, it will also work but you will loose just a bit of case volume.

Either Savage or Rem actions will work. Whatever stock you like. Whatever bottom metal you like that will fit the AI 223 mags.

If you choose Savage, I will have bottom metal options shortly.

There is tons of info on my post on the 90gr VLD and BT. Several powders to choose from too.

With modern bullets, the 223 and 308 are essentially ballistic twins. With some mag fed set ups, the 223/90BT is actually better.

As time allows this fall, I will convert my tactical rifle to hold the AI mag and my F class ammo. Even send them through an 8 twist barrel for S&G's (my fclass rigs are 7 twist).

Yes, your idea can work but you will need to change to either the 90gr BT or 80gr VLD for best fit in the mags. The 90gr VLD are just a bit too long.

I can see this set up being increasing popular in Tactical matches which limit to 223 and 308 ammo.

Jerry
 
For what you are talking about, a MAK tube gun built around a Rem 700 would work really well. It stiffens up a repeater 700, and uses AI mags when you want to mag feed, and use can use a single shot sled for single feed in F/Tr. It works very well...
 
Mystic Precision said:
Either Savage or Rem actions will work. Whatever stock you like. Whatever bottom metal you like that will fit the AI 223 mags.
Click to expand...

I hope I'm not beating this one to death, but if the stock I like is the Choate Tactical Custom and I want the AI mags, I need the CDI bottom metal and that requires some inleting?

Thanks
 
Here are some pics of the cdi bottom metal and a FACTORY SAVAGE inlet on a choate custom tactical. The inlet would be a perfect fit if not for the portion of the bedding block that forms the mag well. Even some careful dremmel work could open it up with no evidence after the bottom metal was installed. Alternatively you could likely grind the lip on the cdi metal that also is present to act as a mag well since the bedding block is already inletted to do this.

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