New Superlight .223

[Big Blue]

I picked up the Superlight in .223 tonight. I bought it for a light weight mountain rifle for coyote. The barrel isn't as thin as I thought it might be, but I guess with a .223" bore it just makes it look heavier than it is. First thing I did when I got it home was to weigh it and it came in at 5lbs. 6ozs. I mounted a Simmons 2-7X32 Pro-hunter using an Ironsighter base. With the scope mounted the weight is now at 6lbs. 6ozs. This synthetic forend is a bit different and with the way it's molded an o-ring doesn't help. Long before the forend screw is tight, the front of the forend is touching the barrel. I plan to do a bit of bedding and sanding to help alleviate that potential problem. I'll take it real slow at the range and give the rifle plenty of cooling time between shots. I'm going to start with 69gr. Sierra bullets and hopefully I can get them to shoot minute of coyote. All I need this rifle to do is put the first shot, from a cold barrel, where I want it.
Don  

[Oldshooter]

I'd say shoot it first, I bought a barrel and put it on a frame I had here. when I put a scope on it the first group after boresighting and 25 yard adjustment was excellent at 100 yards with some old random 223's I had on hand. Its a tack driver!

Good  luck with it! Let us see the range report.

[DaGris]

sweet!

Ive been thinking about getting a .223 myself...but got to find (hide ) 250.00 from the wife

[Big Blue]

sweet!

Ive been thinking about getting a .223 myself...but got to find (hide ) 250.00 from the wife

My wife is away tonight with my daughter at a Girl Scout overnight. NOT THAT I'M AFRAID OF HER. SHHHH! I mean not that I'm afraid of her. LOL!!
Don

[Big Blue]

Oldshooter,
I think I'll take your advise and shoot it first. That will give me the chance to shoot it with and without the forend on so I can see if it makes a difference.
Don

[Oldshooter]

Good Idea I think, Now I do have  270 and 243 barrels that need some TLC to make em group but my 223 is a Pleasure to shoot!

[PHATINJUN]

Most of the superlight are 1-12 twist you may have some trouble with the 69gr I shoot 45gr UMC soft points out of my SS model and they shoot Minute of yote for factory offerings .But the 52gr hand loads shoot first 2 same hole then one flier perfect for yote hunting. I really liked the 69gr in my 1-9twist fluted bull bbl though.Just don't drive yourself crazy trying to get the 69gr to shoot out of the 1-12.Kurt

[Big Blue]

PHATINJUN,
I didn't think to check the twist rate when I was cleaning the barrel, but the rifle does have a CBA serial number so it should have been made after May 2008. I believe, given that date, that it's probably a 1-9" twist rate.
Don 

[moorepower]

A 60 grain vmax wold be a better stopper, or a 60 grain hp. They both have high for .223 b.c.'s. Match bullets don't always expand when they hit and can wound but not kill.

[Big Blue]

Oldshooter,
You were right! I left the forend original and it shot great. This is only 50 yards, but very promising for a first day out with the rifle. I was using 69gr. Nosler Cust. Comp. bullets over 26.0gr. of Varget.
Don

[Big Blue]

A 60 grain vmax wold be a better stopper, or a 60 grain hp. They both have high for .223 b.c.'s. Match bullets don't always expand when they hit and can wound but not kill.

I have more bullets on order, including a box of 60gr. V-max bullets. What load are you using with them?
Don

[moorepower]

7 1/2 rem primers winchester brass and H4895 25.0 grains, a middle of the road book load, whould give you 2950-3000 fps.If you have the tools seat about .
.030 off lands. If not, the bullet is forgiving about jump.

[Oldshooter]

This rifle will make this target at 100 yds









If you look closely that is a 3 shot group at 100 yds. with 55 grain ballistic tips

I did nothing to that rifle but put the barrel on and the adjustable stock.  Good Luck!