.223 rifle

[Old Chap]

Good afternoon everybody.
For some time now I have been looking for a rather specific second hand .223 rifle. Indeed I still am. It would be used primarily up to 600yds but on a good day with minimal wind I would want it to shoot accurately up to 1000yds. I am realistic, I would not expect F class or match winning performance, just to beat the other Forum Fun gunners! I have been looking for a build with a 28"+ barrel in 7/8T throated for the SMK80gn bullet, but to no avail. I am now about to move to Option 2 which is to buy a suitable donor rifle and have a match grade barrel fitted. In a few days time I will be posting in the Wanted section just in case someone on the Forum has something but in the meantime I have two questions:-
1. What are the pitfalls to watch out for and
2.Has anybody taken this route and later regretted it.

Thanks
Phil

[Gun Pimp]

Good afternoon everybody.
For some time now I have been looking for a rather specific second hand .223 rifle. Indeed I still am. It would be used primarily up to 600yds but on a good day with minimal wind I would want it to shoot accurately up to 1000yds. I am realistic, I would not expect F class or match winning performance, just to beat the other Forum Fun gunners! I have been looking for a build with a 28"+ barrel in 7/8T throated for the SMK80gn bullet, but to no avail. I am now about to move to Option 2 which is to buy a suitable donor rifle and have a match grade barrel fitted. In a few days time I will be posting in the Wanted section just in case someone on the Forum has something but in the meantime I have two questions:-
1. What are the pitfalls to watch out for and
2.Has anybody taken this route and later regretted it.

Thanks
Phil

Phil - To get the rifle you want, I would think that a re-barrel is the only way to go. I don't know of any 'off the shelf' rifles with 28 inch, one in 7/8 twist. Laurie Holland has done what you want to do - and beat the 308s on a good day. There are several articles in back issues of Target Shooter. A secondhand Savage (with the solid bottom target action) would be a good starting point as the bolthead can be swapped if it's the wrong size.

[tackb]

I did similar and found a Sako 75 with a 1-8 factory barrel but I shortened it to 20" (I'm weird like that) it will mag feed 75amax but I think it would struggle with 80g bullets (single load?) I chose the Sako because I specifically wanted a 223 sized action but I think you would be better served by a longer action so you can seat your bullets out ?

600m easy , 900m still grouping but not so easy !

I am still impressed by the little 223 !

[Mr_Logic]

Also for 1000 yards I would consider a higher bc bullet such as the amax or berger.

223 has in my experience great sensitivity to barrel length, with respect of velocity, so I would go 30inch or more if you can.

[Dannywayoflife]

The 80 grain Amax has a nice g7 BC!

[Old Chap]

Thanks guys, very sensible comments all of which have been accepted and will be acted upon.
Now to the hard bit, finding decent donor stock and action...
Hauptman found a beauty, just walked into a gunshop on spec and there it was... just in and not even advertised, so all is possible.
Regards
Phil