Remington 700 LTR .223

[Craig_John]

All,

I'm pretty new to all this, i've been a regular browser so thanks for all the information you guys have gave me!

I've been shooting a good while now and have always had a soft spot for the Remington 700's. So I had saved my hard earned pennies for my favourite if the range the 700LTR.

First impressions were the build quality was solid and it certainly was a well made piece of kit. I like the 20" fluted barrel and the 1 in 9 twist rate - it covered all the bases from my perspective.

One issue I did face was that the extractor was shaving the brass and after a little investigation this seems to be a common fault. It was also increadibly difficult to close the bolt. I didn't want to send it back for repair and after a quick search found that a little sanding and polishing of the metal face did the trick - 15 minutes later and that was sorted.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/211/167p.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/164ow.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/211/171i.jpg/

Next on the agenda - KRG Uplift Bolt, if anyone knows a UK web supplier please let me know.

The Kit;

1, Remington 700LTR .223 with fluted barrel [HS precision stock, aluminium bedding inserts]
2, ASE Northstar Moderator [Spray painted matt black with stove paint - just didn't look right in brushed stainless!]
3, Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40mm [acquired on a recent trip to the US]
4, DNZ Reaper one piece mount [low] [also aquired from the US - them guys get kit at half the price!!]
5, Harris Bipod
5, Butler Creeks

So...i've discovered a few loads that work well for me;

23gr H322, CCI small rifle primers, 55gr V-MAX - 0.63 in the field, off the bipod, 100yd [5shot]

Not to everyones taste but I also like to carry a few reduced loads for the bunnies or when i'm close to residential areas and need to reduce the noise a little;

12.5gr blue dot, CCI small rifle primers, 40gr V-MAX - 0.32 in the field off the bipod, 50yd [3 shot].

Loving shooting the rifle and i'm sure I can improve the loads with a little more testing.

Hope you've enjoyed the quick review. Any questions please let me know.

Regards

[Dodder]

Nice review. I'm interested in your reduced loads using Blue Dot as I use this in my .444 Marlin for 25yd pistol ranges - any idea what kind of muzzle velocity this load generates?

I tried a similar load of 11.2grns Blue Dot in my .222 which was supposed to yield around 3000fps and dramatically reduce recoil and noise, but to be honest it didnt feel a lot different to 21grns of reloder 7!

[Craig_John]

Hi Doddler,

I've been shooting reduced loads for a few years now and have settled on a load which is comparable to .22Hornet velocities. I've shot hornet for years and I do find the load very similar. I'm not crazy for squeezing every last inch of accuracy out of a load - as primarily a hunting rifle I quickly settle with a reliable load that hits the spot. I have never chrono'd the load but it is certainly shows reduced noise and recoil...not that a .223 full load was ever a issue with recoil. The ASE Northstar does a brilliant job of keeping the noise levels reasonable.

Please see the links below, they have been the source of all my tinkering with reduced loads, it show all velocities with a variety of charges. There is a fantastic page with a full breakdown of loads and velocities, I had to format the computer and cannot find it right now...I will keep searching and if I can track it down I will add it to this thread for you.

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/bee.php

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/tobee2.php

Hope you find them of some use.

Craig

[Dodder]

A belated thanks Craig, some interesting stuff on there!