Post by bluedot on May 10, 2016 15:27:30 GMT -5
Here's my quandary:
I have a Savage Accutrigger .223 bolt action. The barrel is shot. A bore scope shows the rifling pretty well worn away, and the bore is very pitted along with numerous spots that look like frost inside the barrel. Accuracy is all over the place. One day it will shoot 1" groups at 100 yds., other days it's lucky to shoot a 2" group at 50 yds, and that is with the same bullet and load.
SO, it's time for a new tube.
I paid $200 or $250 for the gun and Simmons Aetec scope at a gun show, so I don't have that much in it. I bought it with the knowledge that at that price, it probably WOULD need a new tube. I guess my gut feeling was right.
The gun will be used for varmints around here, i.e. coyotes, wood chucks and other vermin. No high volume shooting like prairie dog shooting.
A buddy has a used once .223 AI reamer. He's got the tools and the knowledge to chamber a tube. I can do the barrel swap myself, no problem. I have standard .223 dies, haven't checked yet to see if the .223 competition seater will work with the .223 AI.
BUT, I'm not married to going to .223 AI., in fact I don't know WHAT to chamber it in. I really have no preference, nor do I have a preference about any other cartridge. I would like to keep it in .22 cal, as I have a bunch of boolets.
With that being said, and the above goals for use, what cartridge/chamber, barrel mfg., and twist?
I would prefer to shoot heavier than lighter bullets. I will play a bit to see how long I can seat a bullet in a .223 and still have it function - the gun does NOT have a detachable magazine.
Thoughts??