Rebarreling Rem 700VLS to .223AI - advice?

[CV32]

I'm thinking of rebarreling my .204 Ruger Remington 700 VLS to a .223AI. It will be a dedicated bench rest rifle.

(Not that I'm not happy with .204. Quite the opposite, but my .204 CZ 527 American shoots quite well and is MUCH lighter to carry, and I've got a .204 Tikka T3 Lite Stainless ordered).

What would you recommend in terms of twist, contour, length, etc?

 

[guntech]

What is your definition of a dedicated bench rest rifle?

That cartridge is not the best choice for a true Benchrest rifle...

If you plan on shooting targets off your bench and the cost of the AI dies is not a problem it will work...

But making it an A.I. does not make it shoot any better... just higher velocity and shorter barrel life...

I would prefer the standard .223 cut with a good reamer in a match grade barrel... and use Lapua brass... and for even better accuracy build a .222 using Lapua brass.

 

[CV32]

What is your definition of a dedicated bench rest rifle?

For my purposes, it means a rifle that I will not lug around the woods anymore but only shoot at a 200 yard (occasionally 600 yard) range.

That cartridge is not the best choice for a true Benchrest rifle... If you plan on shooting targets off your bench and the cost of the AI dies is not a problem it will work... But making it an A.I. does not make it shoot any better... just higher velocity and shorter barrel life...

I don't plan to change the action so I'm sticking with the .390 bolt face. Could go with a .20 Vartarg or .20 Tactical, but I have a lot more .224 bullets.

I would prefer the standard .223 cut with a good reamer in a match grade barrel... and use Lapua brass... and for even better accuracy build a .222 using Lapua brass.

Yes, I'm familiar with the beauty of Lapua brass. Use it in my 6.5x55 and .308 rifles.

 

[Mystic Precision]

I loved my 222 but now shoot a 223 because brass is so much easier and dirt cheap to get. I shoot Win brass and love it. I do have some Lapua brass and am not impressed in this cartridge (223) at all.

I presently shoot a 7 twist 5R pacnor and 80/75gr Amax. If shooting only lighter bullets and shorter distances, then 12 twist may be enough. The 52/55gr match bullets shoot really well but you need a short throat to get the most of these stubbies.

If you are not worried about bugholes at 200yds, why not sell your Rem and go buy a Savage heavy barrel? Odds are it will shoot 1/2 min with handloads and there will be money in your pocket for components.

Jerry

 

[CV32]

I do really appreciate your sage advice on this, Jerry.

I am going to stick with the Rem 700 VLS as the basis of this little project, rather than buy another rifle, because half the fun is in the project itself, right? (I'm positive you can appreciate that. )

What kind of barrel life should I expect in a fast twist 223AI ? And/or are you saying I should probably just stick to a regular fast twist 223 ?

 

[Mystic Precision]

You bet. Building something you want really takes over from what costs the least. So enjoy the project.

The benefit of the AI chamber is reduced case growth and a bit more velocity. If loaded to 223 type performance, case life is near forever (given proper annealing once in a while) and barrel life will be similar.

Run full throttle, my SWAG would be 25% reduction in barrel life vs a standard 223.

I have shot a 80gr Amax at 2850fps all the way out to a mile. The extra 100fps wouldn't change much.

Some want that extra speed for better splat on varmints. Again, it's all good so get whatever you want to try.

If you don't like it, just try something else. Why I love the Savage/Stevens. Barrel change is a 10min job.

Jerry

 

[CV32]

Thanks, Jerry. The more I think about it, the more I'm swayed in the direction of building a fast twist .204 Ruger. And trying a fast twist .223 later.

 

[Obtunded]

Thanks, Jerry. The more I think about it, the more I'm swayed in the direction of building a fast twist .204 Ruger. And trying a fast twist .223 later.

I love the 204 and if re-barreling, yes, go with a tighter twist than the factory guns, which do a generally poor job with 40 and 50 grain bullets. Based on the ratio of length to width (Greenhill formula) , The optimal twist for a 40 grain Vmax is actually 1:8.5" and most factory twists are 1:12.

I have been using my 204 all week to whack gophers and I love it.

 

[CV32]

The 1 in 12 twist in my .204 VLS actually shoots the 45 gr Hornady SP pretty good, but I'd like to shoot the 48 gr Wildcat and 50 gr Berger bullets, so I'd probably go with a 1 in 9.

 

[Mystic Precision]

When you build your fast twist 204, please let us know how those long slugs do at LR. The Bergers sure look nice and hopefully can fly a very long ways out.

Ask your smith to put index marks on the action and barrel so that you can spin on another pipe as your tastes change.

Switch barrels are just as easy to set up on a Rem as a Savage. Arguably, easier. If done properly, you can shoot one barrel, take it off when hot, get another one and fire that.

Alternate and you will not have to wait for a barrel to cool....

Jerry

PS Obtunded, glad that the gophers have popped out for you. Have fun...