Author Topic: Why keep my 223? (Read 2445 times)

handirifle · « **on:** August 29, 2006, 02:01:59 PM »

OK
Someone convince me I need to keep my 223. Been mulling this over in my head for some time, as I'm getting more calibers than I'll ever have time to shoot, and I really don't like it being that way.

I have a 243 and 223. I can load the 223 up or down, a bit, but the 243 has soooo much more flexibility. I can use a 55gr varmint bullet or a 100gr Partition , and many in between. Why do I need to keep a 223 around?

The 243 will NEVER go, It's one I bought in Germany in '74 in the Army, but it is right handed. I'm left handed and I did sell the rifle once, but after seeing the error of my ways I bought it back after 2 years. I was lucky. It's a great shooter too. The RH 243 will be there for my kids when they want one.

They are both Savage rifles. The 223 is left hand, but I keep thinking why use it and why not just load the 243 down with 55-60gr bullets for varmint? I HAVE given serious thought to converting the LH 223 to 243 but that seems redundant. What a fix?

MI VHNTR · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2006, 02:18:51 PM »

The 223 is quieter and easier to shoot because of less recoil. There's a great selection of bullets available for the 223 too. Of course the big factor here is the twist rate of your 223 barrel. You can go from 35 gr to 80 gr in the 223. There's even a 100 gr bullet designed for competition. Heck, I've only got 4 different 223s, with 4 different twist rates in the barrels. 1-7, 1-9, 1-12 and 1-14. Single shot, bolt and two semi-autos. You can't have too many 223s.

MI VHNTR

nomosendero · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2006, 02:27:31 PM »

It depends partly on how long you want your 243 barrel to last or if that factors in at all in your mind.
The 223 is a much better volume round and with much less powder, but if you aren't a volume shooter it doesn't matter.

NYH1 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2006, 03:21:55 PM »

I would keep both of them. They're far enough apart on the performance scale to justify it. If you were talking a 223 and a 22-250 I could see getting rid of one of them.

The 243 is pretty flexible as you know. Having said that, you might save some money in the long run by shooting both. If you keep switching bullet weights in the 243 you're going to have to zero it every time you change bullets. Might just as well load that for the heavier stuff and use the 223 for the lighter stuff! Just my $0.02. Good luck!

handirifle · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2006, 04:27:31 PM »

Well I ordered a used 243 barrel for my 223, since it's a Savage, no real big deal to swap. Good points were made here but I'll have the barrel around IF and when I convert. I'm not a volume shooter, so that is not an issue, in fact I'm shooting so little these days I hardly ever reload. Just no time, but I retire in a couple years and probably will then.

Thanks for the thoughts.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2006, 04:31:01 PM »

Nuff said

Now if only .243 were price comparably. It's nice to NOT have to handload all of my ammo sometimes.

Doe · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2006, 06:13:46 PM »

Quote from: handirifle on August 29, 2006, 04:27:31 PM

Well I ordered a used 243 barrel for my 223, since it's a Savage, no real big deal to swap. Good points were made here but I'll have the barrel around IF and when I convert. I'm not a volume shooter, so that is not an issue, in fact I'm shooting so little these days I hardly ever reload. Just no time, but I retire in a couple years and probably will then. Did u get a new bolt face too, cause the 223 bolt face is smaller then the 243.

Thanks for the thoughts.

AZ223 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2006, 03:47:43 PM »

Sounds like your mind is made up, but here's another reason: You can download the .223 using Blue Dot loads and 35gr V-Max to velocities anywhere from 1,200 - 3,000fps, and you've got a .22lr, .22Mag, .22Hornet, and .223 all rolled into one. Just depends on the mood you're in, and the powder is cheap! At under 1,700fps it's fairly quiet, and makes a good pest control round out to 150 yards, and it's accurate.

handirifle · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2006, 06:41:02 PM »

All are very good arguments but like you said, for now

my mind is made up. I've ordered the barrel and looking for bolt face and wrench, but I'll always have the option of going back if I change my mind. But I never do, no I didn't, I won't, no matter what you say! Well maybe!

Time will tell.

dw06 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2006, 11:14:47 PM »

Quote from: AZ223 on August 30, 2006, 03:47:43 PM

Sounds like your mind is made up, but here's another reason: You can download the .223 using Blue Dot loads and 35gr V-Max to velocities anywhere from 1,200 - 3,000fps, and you've got a .22lr, .22Mag, .22Hornet, and .223 all rolled into one. Just depends on the mood you're in, and the powder is cheap! At under 1,700fps it's fairly quiet, and makes a good pest control round out to 150 yards, and it's accurate.

Wow AZ223,that is info I have been lookig for.Was looking at sr4759 for reduced loads and have seen loads using Blue Dot somewhere.Would like to try some with 40gr or perhaps 45gr hornady bullet.Would you happen to have any links to this kind of info?handirifle,don't mean to hijack youre thread.

handirifle · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2006, 07:52:36 AM »

No sweat, like you said, it's good info.

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2006, 12:24:50 PM »

Do you have someone lined up to alter the magazine. That's a pretty major jump from feeding .223's up to .243's. Unless its clipfed and the mags interchange, it may be easier to swap rifles. Just my thoughts.

handirifle · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2006, 01:14:19 PM »

It's easy on a Savage. IF I have to change the mag, it just pops (with a little help) off the receiver and the spring and follower just fall out. Have done it on my '06 many times.

One reason I like the Savage rifles, user friendly.

AZ223 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2006, 03:41:21 PM »

dw06/handirifle,

I sent you guys PM's; let me know if you don't get them. The site's been acting funny.

dw06 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2006, 11:17:32 PM »

Quote from: AZ223 on August 31, 2006, 03:41:21 PM

dw06/handirifle,

I sent you guys PM's; let me know if you don't get them. The site's been acting funny.

AZ223,Thanks for the info,looks godd and I will be trying some of them out.

dw06 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2006, 11:19:41 PM »

Quote from: AZ223 on August 31, 2006, 03:41:21 PM

dw06/handirifle,

I sent you guys PM's; let me know if you don't get them. The site's been acting funny.

AZ223,Thanks for info,looks good and I will try some of them.

handirifle · « **Reply #16 on:** September 01, 2006, 10:16:03 AM »

Got it thanks.

handirifle · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2006, 05:34:03 PM »

Well, just ordered an action wrench, go/no-go guages and barrel nut wrench. In a couple weeks, I'll order the magazine and follower and it will be ready to go.

This is adding up, but all the tools, where most of the money is going, are re-usable.

Questor · « **Reply #18 on:** September 08, 2006, 03:48:59 AM »

handirifle:

The only reason I have for using a 223 is for prairie dog shooting. That makes it my most expendible rifle because I don't do much prairie dog shooting. Personally, I don't see much use for the 223 unless engaging in volume varmint shooting or engaging in one of the target games specifically for the 223.

If I want to shoot a light recoiling rifle, I'll shoot a 22LR at 100 yards. If I want to shoot a rifle similar to a big game rifle, I'll shoot something with more recoil.

If you don't foresee an application for the .223, get rid of it.

7x57mm · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2006, 10:29:38 AM »

Sell it, or, if you have kids or grandkids, give it to someone who can use it. Tom Purdom

handirifle · « **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2006, 11:43:34 AM »

In a way, I am

. It will soon become a 243. The barrel is on it's way, then I need to order the magazine and follower, and I am in business.

I'm through selling guns, but not through changing them.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #21 on:** September 08, 2006, 12:00:56 PM »

Now yer talkin' like a man!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nomosendero · « **Reply #22 on:** September 08, 2006, 05:51:24 PM »

I see it is a Savage, so you can change the bolt head, good!

nasem · « **Reply #23 on:** September 21, 2006, 07:07:16 AM »

IMHO ~

Reasons for you to SELL your .223:
1) your .243 can do EVERYTHING the .223 can and a little more
2) your a handloader so, cost of accurate ammo isn't much to you, yes it requires ALOT of work, but hey, the shooting sport always requires 2 things (money and time)
3) I assume you don't go through 200 rounds a week, cause if you do, even .223 wolf woun't save you, they are about $3.5 a box , thats $35 a week, almost 130 a month, yeh, your better off getting .22 LR or .22 win mag IF AND ONLY IF you shoot A LOT
4) And regarding you down-sizing your grain selection for .243, why ? stick to one load, I would suggest 90-100 grain load, and load the heck out of it for EVERYTHING, pdog to white tail deer that way you don't have to worry about re-zeroing your rifle everytime. Plus the 55-70 grainers are too fast for your barrel.
5) Ahhhhh Imagine how much less your wife and / or girlfriend will complain when you get ride of that one extra rifle

handirifle · « **Reply #24 on:** September 21, 2006, 05:07:31 PM »

For many of the reasons you describe I am CONVERTING the 223, but it will either be a 243 (if the barrel arrives, currently lost in the mail) or a 7-08. I will use my existing 243 as a varmint rifle, with lightweight bullets and the 7-08 will be for deer.

The '06 will most likely be converted to 338-06 and used for bigger game.

I currently have everything i need except barrel, magazine and follower.

handirifle · « **Reply #25 on:** October 08, 2006, 09:16:37 AM »

Well, it has been converted, now awaiting the magazine and follower. Hit a few snafu's, mostly cause this was my first Savage barrel swap but it has been headspaced correctly, and re-assembled. It will be test fired this weekend, after the magazine gets here.

I used a take off barrel from another SavageShooters member, so it is a factory Savage barrel. The post office nearly lost the barrel, took over a month to get here from Wisconsin, and had it not shown up, I would have gone to the 7mm-08 instead.

The next swap will be for my 110 action to a 338-06. If Adams and Bennett sold their 35 Whelen barrel with a 1-12 twist, I'd possibly go with that caliber instead.

handirifle · « **Reply #26 on:** October 29, 2006, 07:28:57 PM »

One last update,
It is complete. Took it to the range, last week. Started at 50yds to make sure it was on paper, and in two shots, I was just north of the bull. Moved target to 100yds and completed the zero at 1.5" above the bull with 100gr factory loads.

Next three shots were right at 1" group. Took 10 shots and it's now ready for deer season.