I've read through a few old threads on the subject, but they seem to go in opposite directions from my questions. If this is all already covered elsewhere, please direct me to it.
Want to build a 223 trainer that will be comparable to a fast 6mm (6saum, 6 um, etc) I'm also building - same stock (TBD) and similar action. Don't know if having the same barrel length is worth jumping through the hoops. Balance and handling will probably be somewhat different no matter what. There is a strong likelihood that I will go with a Defiance AntiX for the 6mm. What would be a comparable action to use for a 223? Don't want to spend that much money on a trainer. I'd considering going the Tikka route for a trainer (and possibly the 6mm, but I might be locked in to a defiance action there). How much difference is there between an antix and a tikka action?
A 22 Creedmoor has also crossed my mind instead of the 223. This doesn't sound like a good idea though from the barrel life research I've done: supposedly 800-1000 rounds from a 22 creed and five thousand plus from a 223. Does this sound right? Can you choke back a 22 creed for practice and then amp it up for hunting, if desired, to get the barrel life into the thousands? This rifle could also be useful in the future when my kids start hunting, or if I decide that I want to go shoot a brown bear, like some of you
.
Random Questions:
-Is there a practice bullet that is ballistically similar to the 77 TMK which is more available and cheaper? Would be nice to practice with a cheap one and hunt with the TMK.
-Would you buy a factory rifle or action and prefit? Which model and brand?
-Does it matter if the trainer is a tank with a heavy barrel and the 6mm is ~8lb?
-Are you guys reloading 223 for trainer rounds or ? (I reload everything that I shoot now pretty much, but don't know if there is an easier way for this and how much it matters. I suspect that reloading will almost always produce better accuracy and be better)
-If reloading, can you get away with using random 5.56/223 brass or are you guys using matching headstamps (I know the answer for max consistency and accuracy, but it would be nice to load up 500 rounds with cheap brass)
-What brand brass if purchasing bulk matching headstamp?
-I have small base 5.56 dies already. Probably worth it to buy a set of 223 dies with a micrometer seater for max consistency?
-What barrel length would you go with on the trainer. I'm thinking 20" for the 6mm. Would be nice for kids to hunt suppressed with the trainer and not have it be a flag pole. I don't know if possible (probably not), but it would be nice to have it behave ballistically similar to the 6mm.
-What twist rate? Shooting 77 tmks and the new 88 grainers for hunting.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer any of my many questions. My young kids appreciate it too - I've been spending way too much time on here lately reading through thousands of posts! I'm sure I can figure it all out on my own, but hey what are discussion forums for!?
Want to build a 223 trainer that will be comparable to a fast 6mm (6saum, 6 um, etc) I'm also building - same stock (TBD) and similar action. Don't know if having the same barrel length is worth jumping through the hoops. Balance and handling will probably be somewhat different no matter what. There is a strong likelihood that I will go with a Defiance AntiX for the 6mm. What would be a comparable action to use for a 223? Don't want to spend that much money on a trainer. I'd considering going the Tikka route for a trainer (and possibly the 6mm, but I might be locked in to a defiance action there). How much difference is there between an antix and a tikka action?
A 22 Creedmoor has also crossed my mind instead of the 223. This doesn't sound like a good idea though from the barrel life research I've done: supposedly 800-1000 rounds from a 22 creed and five thousand plus from a 223. Does this sound right? Can you choke back a 22 creed for practice and then amp it up for hunting, if desired, to get the barrel life into the thousands? This rifle could also be useful in the future when my kids start hunting, or if I decide that I want to go shoot a brown bear, like some of you
.Random Questions:
-Is there a practice bullet that is ballistically similar to the 77 TMK which is more available and cheaper? Would be nice to practice with a cheap one and hunt with the TMK.
-Would you buy a factory rifle or action and prefit? Which model and brand?
-Does it matter if the trainer is a tank with a heavy barrel and the 6mm is ~8lb?
-Are you guys reloading 223 for trainer rounds or ? (I reload everything that I shoot now pretty much, but don't know if there is an easier way for this and how much it matters. I suspect that reloading will almost always produce better accuracy and be better)
-If reloading, can you get away with using random 5.56/223 brass or are you guys using matching headstamps (I know the answer for max consistency and accuracy, but it would be nice to load up 500 rounds with cheap brass)
-What brand brass if purchasing bulk matching headstamp?
-I have small base 5.56 dies already. Probably worth it to buy a set of 223 dies with a micrometer seater for max consistency?
-What barrel length would you go with on the trainer. I'm thinking 20" for the 6mm. Would be nice for kids to hunt suppressed with the trainer and not have it be a flag pole. I don't know if possible (probably not), but it would be nice to have it behave ballistically similar to the 6mm.
-What twist rate? Shooting 77 tmks and the new 88 grainers for hunting.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer any of my many questions. My young kids appreciate it too - I've been spending way too much time on here lately reading through thousands of posts! I'm sure I can figure it all out on my own, but hey what are discussion forums for!?
