Lightweight 223 build

R

Rammer

Active member
I have a new build in mind, I want a nice, short, lightweight coyote calling gun.

I have lots of 223 brass and bullets, so I'm planning on sticking with the 223 but might ackley it...

Wants:
Lightweight
20" barrel, may even consider 18"
Want to shoot 40-55 grain bullets, thinking of a 12 twist? Ideas?
2-3 pound trigger

Have:
Remington action
McMillan Game Scout dessert camo
Several sets of optics to choose from

Found several barrels that are 12 twist and #3 contours, almost think a #2 contour might fit my wants better, feel free to post pics/specs up of your lightweight calling rigs!
 
What weight you're trying to obtain?

Trued 700
McM GS
#2 or #3 barrel @ 18" or 20".
Talley rings.

That's how I'd roll it, unless you're trying to target a specific weight.
 
Bernie, I have a CZ 223, guess I could use that action....

Buster, game scout showed up yesterday at my door step, it's a factory contour, my smith don't care he'll make whatever I bring him work.

SuperSeal, I'd like to keep it as light as possible, but realistically I don't know what to expect with a #2 or #3 cut down to 20, it will also be fluted.
 
If I were going to flute, then I'd go with a #3, but keep in mind not all #3 are the same as Bartleins #3 are the same as a #4 Krieger or Brux

Given your bullet weights you wanna shoot, I would go with a 12 twist, you prolly could get by with a 14 but I still would go 12 tw in case you ever wanted to shoot some 60's

Unless you had the Edge fil, the GS is not what I would have chosen to "go as light as possible"
I have 3 GS stocks

Given parameters you've given

I would go with

Trued up Remmy
#3 in 20" but I would think an 18" could be fun
Talley LW
 
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Buster, have any good leads on any in stock 12 twist barrels?

I loved the feel of my first game scout so much that I decided it would go on several more of my guns and I'd make them as lightweight as possible while using that stock. They just fit me too good not to use them.

I might cut her off at 18" my whole concept for this rifle is my love for my little Ruger American compact 223......

It's a calling walkabout rifle so I'm not too concerned with velocity loss. Longest shot will probably be in the 3-350 yard range anyways.
 
Somebody explain to me why you would want a 12 twist. Does a 12 shoot light bullets better than a tighter twist?

With a 12 you have less options since you can't go up in bullet weights. So why select such a narrow option? There must be an upside to it?
 
I had a 12 twist 223 many years ago that shot 40-55 grain bullets into little tiny clover leafs, it might have shot heavier as good, but that was long before the heavy .224 bullet craze hit. I've had several 9 twists, several 8 twists and I haven't had any that shot as good as my old 12 twist.

I guess it's just a personal preference deal for me.....
 
Buster, I've ordered from bugholes a fair amount too! My stiller action came from him on last build. I was debating between the Brux and MullerWorks he has in stock. I ordered the Brux for this go around.
 
I'm doing the same thing but plan on going even a bit lighter... I've got a Micky Mtn rifle pattern suposed to show up here in the next month or so. I'm doing a Rem Mtn rifle contour barrel as well in 223AI (same frame as Tim's LW). But I'm looking a little more "lightweight" than you, I think. Light, long, bright... all relative words.

For example, I have a 20" 6BR with a #3 Brux, lightweight tallys, lupy 3.5-10 (pretty light in scope comparisions) but a HS Precision sporter stock. The rifle wieghs just under 8.5 #'s. With the Micky you may be a few ounces lighter but you'll still be over 8#. Not many places will flute a #3 & they won't a #2. Rifle is VERY handy but if you walk a LONG way with this rifle you will not consider it "light".


Yellow,
There are advantages to shooting a slower twist if you have no desire to shoot long (heavy for caliber) bullets.
1-Spinning the bullets faster than you need only exagerates any imperfections in the bullet (centripital force, out of ballance tire, get the picture). Might not make huge difference but it can if you wanting top accuracy.
2-The faster twist reduces the velocity. Again not substatially but some of the energy goes into spinning the bullet faster an also builds pressure a little faster (with all things equal you can stuff a tiny more packy in a slow twist barrel to equal same pressure).
3-Fast twist barrels wear faster
4-Just silly if your only shooting light bullets. No reason to shoot heavy bullets if inside 300 yards (not enough room for arodynamics to take over).
 
Cole, sounds like you have a good build going as well! Look forward to seeing it finished!!

I kind of anticipate the rifle to be in the low 8s, so not overly light, but will be super handy.

I have a few VXIIIs and a few monarchs laying around, it will get a set of Tally LWs.
 
Originally Posted By: Rammer

I kind of anticipate the rifle to be in the low 8s, so not overly light, but will be super handy

thumbup.gif
sounds like you are right on target! Likely one of the more sensible frames for a hunting/calling rifle.

Have you decided 223 or AI version? I'm having hard time deciding but will prolly go AI if nothing else just to help keep brass sperate from other 223s.
 
I might end up AI'ing it just to pick up a little velocity from the shorter barrel.....Not 100% yet, if I AI then I would end up buying better brass than the several thousand new pieces of Rem brass that I have already.....So I should probably just stick with the normal 223.......Opinions??
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunLow 8s is far from a lightweight. Gamescout stock won't help.

I'd rather just have a Model 7............

+1 on the model seven....I have a few they are great lightweight rifles. Find one in stainless and you are set!!
 


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