same here! I'm not a machinist or gun smith but have been fascinated by the idea of being able to build my very own bolt gun to the exact specifications I want for the purpose (or just as an experiment) I intend. @Gavin - hope to see you at King of Two MIles some year, would very much like to sit down and have a beer and just chat about rifle building.
Yeah, I pretty much love and hate this guy all at the same time. Love him cause he's living his best life, but also watch all his videos whilst slamming back shots of hater-aide
Interested in an Ultimate Reloader custom rifle? Sign up on the list here: ultimatereloader.com/rifles/ Hi everyone! Some people have asked "why a 223 trainer?". There can be lots of reasons- removing recoil to train on other aspects of shooting, being able to train with low cost bulk 223 ammunition, barrel life for match gun (Example 6mm Creedmoor- barrel life can be as low as 800-ish rounds). 22 trainers are great, but don't have full bolt throw, etc. I like this rifle so much, I would consider shooting tactical class with it. Each person has their reasons for training with different rifles and calibers. Glad we can respectfully discuss here!
Cost and Ballistically, I’m likely going to run the Bergara B14R and my savage .223 trainer for a few years. I have built up way more reloading supplies for .223 Remington and shoot sub MOA to not justify a bigger caliber until my skills and ability justify a 6 or 6.5 mm class rifle. $3.50 or less for a box of .223 vs $10.80 for a .260 Remington using Lapua brass and ELD-M/X bullets. More reasons TO build a .223 rifle than not. Ballistically, it may be a rainbow arch, but there’s more Ballistically similar using that .223 and if you match that to the 6 or 6.5 chambering, you’ll find they are more similar for adjustments than not. Within their limits. Gavin, there’s another video session for you. Comparing and matching different calibers and ballistics and their dopes.
Interesting reply, though it doesn't hold much weight. Recoil: If you need to remove recoil from a 17-20 lb 6 dasher with a muzzle brake on it by dropping down to a 223, well then you are just a wimp, sorry. Low Cost 223 ammo: Where is the savings? In order to "save" a few cents per round, you are going to spend thousands of dollars again, because remember you've already done this once for your match rifle, on a new optic, receiver, trigger, barrel, match-grade dies, brass, powder, and bullets. Assuming you never wear out that 223 barrel, you'd have to shoot hundreds of thousands of rounds to begin to actually save money. In reality though, that isn't possible, so you will never actually save any money and the whole time you aren't shooting the gun you're actually competing with. Where is the logic there? Barrel Life: If you want to save your barrel life then don't load hot rounds. 6CM barrels burn out at 800 rounds when they are pushed to the max. Load a few grains off max and see what happens to your barrel life. In addition, barrels are relatively cheap. How many barrels could you buy for the cost of that 223 trainer? If you want to shoot it in a tactical class then cool, but that's not a training rifle, that's a match gun for a different discipline. Bolt throw: well, I guess you got me there, a 22LR does not have the same bolt throw as a SA receiver. For me though, its pretty hard to see how spending 6k justifies this one aspect. 223's are fun and I'm glad you're enjoying it, most people do, but the idea that it is a trainer that is going to save you money is just silly. It's another rifle, that's it.
Hornady match ammo is $37.99 a box of 20. I reload it for $3.90 a box. .260 Remington is $65 a box for match ammo. I reload it for $9/ box. Economically, it totally makes sense to shoot a .223.
@@lexusowner2924 he is talking about recoil in the sense of keeping the scope on target to spot your shots, not that the recoil hurts his shoulder... PRS shooting is done without a spotter so it's on you to spot and adjust hits and misses... I do agree with you on the part that thousands of dollars on a gun build to save on ammo and wear on a match rifle is a excuse just to build another gun and not a viable financial reason lol
The main reason i got a 223 in same configuration with my primary comp gun was the saved reloading time. It's so easy, fast and cheap to just pick up couple boxes of decent bulk 223 and hit the range. Plus i can reload heavier pills for it and use it as a backup gun if i do shoot out my main guns barrel and can't get a new one right away. And it's ton of fun to shoot 😆
I have a 223 Ackley Improved trainer that is identical in absolutely every way to my 6 Dasher competition rifle. I did the machining and built both rifles myself and both are incredibly accurate. Great video, keep them coming
@@lars277 I haven't maxed it out I'm shooting either a Sierra 77 or 80 grain matchking at 2,950 fps. The reason I went with the Ackley is the 40° shoulder, I despise trimming brass.
I feel that sense you go into so much detail about the product that you should at least give a ballpark of the prices of each doesn't have to be exact but ballpark would be quite helpful!! Besides that you do incredible work!!!
@@huntersmark917 a new quality lathe is sooooo nice! If i had the cash I'd splurge for sure. I mean, you can get a new truck for 40-70k...what would bring you more enjoyment? Lathe for half that for me for sure... priorities😀
You do a great job of explaining your processes! there’s something to be said for your ability to simplify something so complex and explain it in a way a novice can understand!
Fantastic build I love it, have been working on my own rifle build rimfire the cartridge is 17 Winchester Super Magnum barrel is Encore has 24",1-9 twist.
Really liked the video. Moved from out west where i had access to a 1000 yard range to FL where 600 is all i have access too. Locals advice is to build a 223 trainer to be able to simulate wind calls at longer ranges when shooting out of state. Gonna have to pull the trigger on one. Thanks again for all your work on the videos!
Gavin, coming from a machinist who had to hold .0002" tolerances in the aerospace industry, I have to say you're a quite competent machinist- your attention to detail is commending...very, very few gun builders go to this much trouble to make sure it's right- your results speak for themselves. Excellent accuracy. If you are self taught, that is quite impressive. I only got to the level I did from learning from others in my industry. There is another way to dial in a barrel perfectly true with the axis of the bore, and that is with a "spider" on the rear of the lathe through-bore and a 4 jaw chuck with tiny aluminum soft jaws on the front. Dial in as needed. Tiny (narrow from front to back) soft jaws keep the chuck jaws from putting undue influence on the barrel and possibly warping it through clamping force.
Thank you!!! if you look at some of my other Chambering videos, actually use the technique you mentioned with the spider and soft pads with a four jaw chuck!
@@Ultimatereloader You're on it! I shoulda known. Btw Thanks also for bringing quality work to the attention of people that otherwise wouldn't see just how much work (and knowledge) goes into building a rifle that shoots great. Not only does it show them *why* it takes the time it does, it helps gunsmiths justify the price of the labor.
For any the idiots give u slack about the rifle their just jealous they can’t do what you do. Great video as usual. Do you build rifles for people the public if not u need to am sure theirs tons of people out there like me love how much you pay attention to detail and for it to be spot on. God bless!
Nice build Gavin. I started with a Savage 12 target action and a Shilen barrel. It's sits in a HS precision tactical stock. It's by far the best shooting rifle I have built. I run the Sierra 77 SMK with IMR 8208 and CCI 450s for awesome dime sized 5 shot groups at 200 yards. Congratulations on your build!
Great to see some .223 content . In this world of latest and greatest cartridges it’s refreshing to see extreme accuracy and Gunsmithing on my favourite usable, accessible and fun cartridge .I will be very interested to see your reloading results . PS - great channel 👍
This is so up my ally. I have a very similar rifle system with the same ideas in mind. Howa 1500 Short action. 1:9 heavy barrel. Worrior suppressor with Tuner end on it. Nikon 6-24×50 Target reticle scope. AIM comoposite stock. Lapua brass Swift Scroccos 62gn bonded pills CCI BR4 primers Varget Supported by either my Sinclaire bipod or Farley with joystick. Benchrest is my style.
I’m building a .223 for training purposes. Mainly to get back into shooting consistently. It’s been a while since I’ve put rounds down range on a consistent basis. I’ve never shot long range it’s my goal this year. My sons and I are going down the reloading and long range rabbit hole together. I’m building an M4 and will throw a night scope on it when I have out grown it. We do have a b14 hmr 300 win mag with a sig tango 4 6-24 scope on the way
Great build Gavin! I'm shooting a 26" 223 Criterion Remage Barrel in a trued Remington 700 receiver with Hornady 88gr ELD-M @ 2800fps using CFE-223. This is actually the first rifle I've used to get to 1000 yds and it's been so much fun! Enjoy your build!
Well Done! Congrats on the new rig! So glad you gave it a dedicated action over messing with the bbls. I even see a dedicated stock in your future. The rigs are both going to shoot great, so there is no point to swapping things back and forth. Looking forward to the load work and range reports!!!
I had my Forster honed to 0.2445. Works perfectly with Lapua and other brass without overworking. Probably could go bigger, but I use a bushing die for that.
Nice build again Gavin, if i were in the US i would be sure to have a rifle built by you, but the gunsmith i use here in Scotland is really good too, keep up the good vids
I'll Take two!!! :) That is one heck of a WOODCHUCK rig. :) 1000 yards with a 223 Remington? OMG!!!!!! Hope you succeed get ing out that far and look forward to watching your attempts with that rifle eagerly. :) It'l be soomething to see indeed.
I love it man. Just fun to shoot targets with. I have a Savage 12fv that still shoots pretty incredibly tight with match ammo. There's just something fun about a rifle that doesn't recoil much and hits exactly where the reticle is.
I bought a 1440HD from PM about 4 years ago now. Been used almost daily since then. Had to repair some minor things on it, but overall a pretty good lathe! Also like the 223 plan. I put a 1-6 twist 19" barrel on an ar and am impressed with the accuracy and range I can get with the 88 ELD-M bullets. Supersonic out to 1200 yards. Not bad for a 22!
You videos are top notch, very detail oriented and interesting to watch. I love your new trainer something you should be proud of. Keep up the good work.
Great build and well presented. I should have pursued more machinist training in my travels. I will have to be content with using barrel nuts, good results so far.
My best shooting 223/5.56 is my Uintah Precision 223 Wylde UPR-15 upper. I also reload the 77gr OTM because that's what I used in the ARMY in my MK12. Awesome video.
I'm doing the exact same thing as I'm watching this, putting together a 223 AI that's very similar to my 260 and 6.5-284 Norma. Hopefully mine is this accurate!
Wow this such good news. I often think that .223 are like the unsung heros. So I try do everything with mine. Allthough a Howa 1500 in 1:9 twist. I loves 69gn SMKs nut it hard to find. So I am now committed to shooting Swift Siroccos 62gn but with a tuner on. I have used this rifle in 6ppc competitions just for fun. Does pretty good in IBS shooting out to 300m. Now just tune my barred and its off the chase distance. Thank you G for another great post. I sit and wait for them.
Awesome video Gavin! I just built a 223 as well with an mpa comp chassis and a 7 twist 26 inch m24 barrel. I loaded up some Berger 85.5 with 8208 and got it to shoot a .21 inch 5 shot group. They are so fun to shoot can't wait to see more on this rifle! Nice work
@@Ultimatereloader if you do make sure you get em close to the lands.. I tried jumping em at like .070 and .120 and they were all over the place. But at .010 they were perfect. Also are you doing customer clambering at all or not quite yet?
Awesome video, such high quality and easy to watch. I run a .223 AI that I absolutely love. Cheaper to shoot, good practice, and perfect to train the wife and kids on.
I wondered how those Berger 77g OTM would shoot. I’m using the 75 ELDM for tactical class but fell in love with the Berger 85.5, just can’t use them in tactical class and wanted some Bergers for tactical. I still love my Valkyrie gas gun also and having an223 bolt gun I had all the components except brass. I’m just doing it backwards, I got the trainer first next comes some version of Creedmoor to run.
Check out the 25 creed. Better performance than 6.5 and 6mm creed with better barrel life than the former. A guy has a pretty good video of him shooting it out to 1800 yards.
My .223 is my favourite accurate rifle as well, and it’s only a tikka t3 with hand loads I get Less than a half inch at 200 yards all day every day. Including cold shot.
No doubt!! I had a Tikka built and it took over a year! I'm still wondering if my smith took my barrel for another build and ordered another. I was also supposed to get my original barrel back but never did. I will say so far into load development that its showing good signs for sub 1/2 moa
I got the Bergara B14R trainer to match the savage model 10 I built with shelf parts similar to this and the big horn Origin that will be the .260 and .280 chamberings for my “big gun.” You really shouldn’t enable people like this….LOL. I don’t have the machine shop like you, but the ideas do flow for shelf parts
Very cool Gavin. Glad all your hard work and precision played off. Awesome video too. What a great shooting .223. Wish I had one just like that. If you ever felt the need to make another I know 1 fan who'd be thrilled to shoot that out on the farm.
Hi Gavin, Thanks for another great video. I am eager to see how this rifle shoots at 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 rounds. Those will make great videos!!!
This is the best content from you thus far Gavin. I’ve been inquisitive and curious about 223/223AI trainers. I think they aren’t just valid options, but super affordable with precision still in mind. This reinforces this. Thanks! Isaac
Thank you for sharing, like your video's. They are shooters. I did a build on a remington700 SA .223 trued with Bartlein .224 7.7 twist. Trigger Tech trigger. Shooting Lapua brass, Hornady 75gn BTHP on top of 23.4gns of Varget sparked with Fed 205M. 4 shot groups at 100 average 0.238". Velocity avg is 2785. Can't ask for anything better
this build has dropped my jaw, seriously. I was always wondering how to bore such a long hole precisely. I'm waiting for my 1st lathe to arrive, and it is not in that ballpark of precision and rigidity, but your build truly inspires me.
Awesome work! 👌 similar things happening here in New Zealand with a 223 class being created due to the shortage. How about a video about the oopsies you've had also! Plenty of stories to tell I'm sure.
Beautiful rifle. The only pet peeve I have is the 5/8x24 threads. That’s ok on a skinny little hunting barrel but I think it completely defeats the purpose of buying a heavy barrel and you now just made the crown the weakest link. For example my 300 rum I put a 1.35” for 5” then straight taper to 1.15” @ 33” the 1x14 tpi threads for muzzle break on my rem 700. It may do nothing but just looks weak and that’s a lot of pressure coming down that barrel for that little end not to stretch.
I really like this video. 223 brass is so readily available, just like 308. Once components starting filling up the shelves again this is an ideal trainer over a rimfire for the aspect of learning reloading techniques that work for the shooter and flight characteristics will be similar to those of your competition rifle. If a shooter is limited on space a rimfire would be an option though as I have noticed the comments on cost of the rifle and setup. I have my 6mm ARC (Uintah Precision) and hope that the cartridge will take off like the 223. It was really cool to see the major steps used in finishing your barreled action. Are the Batt actions one of the smoothest bolt actions out there? How does it feel in comparison to the American Rifle Company actions. Just curious as extraction/eject process is something that I am looking at. Once again, great video and thank you for making it.
I think there are better extractors and ejectors out there! One thing I notice with all these guys is they don't check their custom actions for truing. I would be checking everything. Nitriding would be a smoothness assist, but honing and bolt sizing would be the important part for smoothness. I have 2 x 700 actions in getting done now and honing and sleaving the bolts are being done. I don't have customs where I live and am trying to import. All I investigate fall short, some have amazing design, there is 2 lug, 3 lug, 6 lug. 60/70/90 throw, problems created by short throws. I like interchangeable bolt faces because it gives so many more options....like the BAT, you could start with 223 on .384 bolt face and then swap to .445 for rounds like the 6ARC or to .470 and open up all the 6mm like CM/BR/Dasher etc 6.5CM/308. Even take the short action out with magnum boltface .540 to 6.5PRC. One action covers so many calibers. Getting action wrenches for your action is important and something people wouldn't think of when buying....go-no go gauges. There is prefits on some actions but I have seen top shooters prefer to get their barrels fitted and no barrel nut....I will probably do this and spend the extra few hundred on each barrel. It may not be this big a difference if prefits are more expensive than blanks....not up to this stage of my builds yet. Have a look at Pristine actions for some very cool designs...they don't suit me as they aren't doing long actions yet or magnum boltfaces but they have some cool design on extractors and ejectors and good info on short throws and problems that brings up.
Amazing Gavin!!! I am seeing you materializing my dream come true with this build. I just finished my frugal version of a build using Howa mini varmint barreled action in .223 and did my second session of shooting. Topped it with a Riton 3X 6-24 scope and a Bell & Carlson M40 style stock. Adjusted the original trigger to 1.5 lb. With handloads of 55gr Hrdy FMJ and 21 grains of 2200 powder I got a group of .310. Very proud of my achievement for someone with seriously depleted physical dexterity and advanced age. However, my most excitement is watching you realize the awesomeness of the .223 and seeing it materialize. Thank you a million from a fellow Washingtonian.
I live vicariously through your amazing shop setup, machining equipment, products, and shooting environment. Well done!
So glad you are enjoying the channel Brad. Thank you for watching!
same here! I'm not a machinist or gun smith but have been fascinated by the idea of being able to build my very own bolt gun to the exact specifications I want for the purpose (or just as an experiment) I intend. @Gavin - hope to see you at King of Two MIles some year, would very much like to sit down and have a beer and just chat about rifle building.
Yeah, I pretty much love and hate this guy all at the same time. Love him cause he's living his best life, but also watch all his videos whilst slamming back shots of hater-aide
Interested in an Ultimate Reloader custom rifle? Sign up on the list here: ultimatereloader.com/rifles/
Hi everyone! Some people have asked "why a 223 trainer?". There can be lots of reasons- removing recoil to train on other aspects of shooting, being able to train with low cost bulk 223 ammunition, barrel life for match gun (Example 6mm Creedmoor- barrel life can be as low as 800-ish rounds). 22 trainers are great, but don't have full bolt throw, etc. I like this rifle so much, I would consider shooting tactical class with it. Each person has their reasons for training with different rifles and calibers. Glad we can respectfully discuss here!
Cost and Ballistically, I’m likely going to run the Bergara B14R and my savage .223 trainer for a few years. I have built up way more reloading supplies for .223 Remington and shoot sub MOA to not justify a bigger caliber until my skills and ability justify a 6 or 6.5 mm class rifle.
$3.50 or less for a box of .223 vs $10.80 for a .260 Remington using Lapua brass and ELD-M/X bullets.
More reasons TO build a .223 rifle than not.
Ballistically, it may be a rainbow arch, but there’s more Ballistically similar using that .223 and if you match that to the 6 or 6.5 chambering, you’ll find they are more similar for adjustments than not. Within their limits.
Gavin, there’s another video session for you.
Comparing and matching different calibers and ballistics and their dopes.
Interesting reply, though it doesn't hold much weight. Recoil: If you need to remove recoil from a 17-20 lb 6 dasher with a muzzle brake on it by dropping down to a 223, well then you are just a wimp, sorry. Low Cost 223 ammo: Where is the savings? In order to "save" a few cents per round, you are going to spend thousands of dollars again, because remember you've already done this once for your match rifle, on a new optic, receiver, trigger, barrel, match-grade dies, brass, powder, and bullets. Assuming you never wear out that 223 barrel, you'd have to shoot hundreds of thousands of rounds to begin to actually save money. In reality though, that isn't possible, so you will never actually save any money and the whole time you aren't shooting the gun you're actually competing with. Where is the logic there? Barrel Life: If you want to save your barrel life then don't load hot rounds. 6CM barrels burn out at 800 rounds when they are pushed to the max. Load a few grains off max and see what happens to your barrel life. In addition, barrels are relatively cheap. How many barrels could you buy for the cost of that 223 trainer? If you want to shoot it in a tactical class then cool, but that's not a training rifle, that's a match gun for a different discipline. Bolt throw: well, I guess you got me there, a 22LR does not have the same bolt throw as a SA receiver. For me though, its pretty hard to see how spending 6k justifies this one aspect. 223's are fun and I'm glad you're enjoying it, most people do, but the idea that it is a trainer that is going to save you money is just silly. It's another rifle, that's it.
Hornady match ammo is $37.99 a box of 20.
I reload it for $3.90 a box.
.260 Remington is $65 a box for match ammo.
I reload it for $9/ box.
Economically, it totally makes sense to shoot a .223.
@@lexusowner2924 he is talking about recoil in the sense of keeping the scope on target to spot your shots, not that the recoil hurts his shoulder... PRS shooting is done without a spotter so it's on you to spot and adjust hits and misses... I do agree with you on the part that thousands of dollars on a gun build to save on ammo and wear on a match rifle is a excuse just to build another gun and not a viable financial reason lol
The main reason i got a 223 in same configuration with my primary comp gun was the saved reloading time. It's so easy, fast and cheap to just pick up couple boxes of decent bulk 223 and hit the range. Plus i can reload heavier pills for it and use it as a backup gun if i do shoot out my main guns barrel and can't get a new one right away. And it's ton of fun to shoot 😆
I have a 223 Ackley Improved trainer that is identical in absolutely every way to my 6 Dasher competition rifle. I did the machining and built both rifles myself and both are incredibly accurate. Great video, keep them coming
What do you get MV with that Improved. 3400 fps?
@@lars277 I haven't maxed it out I'm shooting either a Sierra 77 or 80 grain matchking at 2,950 fps. The reason I went with the Ackley is the 40° shoulder, I despise trimming brass.
I have a 223 built by KW Precision and I love it. I'm shooting 80 grain Bergers and it's a dream. Great video!!!
I feel that sense you go into so much detail about the product that you should at least give a ballpark of the prices of each doesn't have to be exact but ballpark would be quite helpful!! Besides that you do incredible work!!!
That pile of bullets and brass is worth more than a 401K account nowadays…. LOL. Glad to see you are still able to produce content Gavin
the lathe he bought is $20,000, upgrading from the $17,000 lathe sitting in the corner. That's pre-tooling cost.
@@huntersmark917 a new quality lathe is sooooo nice! If i had the cash I'd splurge for sure.
I mean, you can get a new truck for 40-70k...what would bring you more enjoyment? Lathe for half that for me for sure... priorities😀
Congratulation on this trainer build Gavin! You really do put the "Ultimate" in Ultimate Reloader!
Bro you have come so far with this channel, been watching since the rpr deer hunting videos and the stuff you build is nothing short of impressive
Thanks for being along for the ride! I'm having a lot of fun...
You do a great job of explaining your processes! there’s something to be said for your ability to simplify something so complex and explain it in a way a novice can understand!
So satisfying when a rifle comes together...built myself a 223 trainer a while back... definitely fun with no recoil...got some 75gr eldm to try now
Brent gets it! :) It's an awesome scenario isn't it?
@brentwinkelman,
How is that possible ?
A .22 Long Rifle has recoil. ☆
Fantastic build I love it, have been working on my own rifle build rimfire the cartridge is 17 Winchester Super Magnum barrel is Encore has 24",1-9 twist.
Really liked the video. Moved from out west where i had access to a 1000 yard range to FL where 600 is all i have access too. Locals advice is to build a 223 trainer to be able to simulate wind calls at longer ranges when shooting out of state. Gonna have to pull the trigger on one. Thanks again for all your work on the videos!
I love this channel! It can’t get any better and Im thankful we get to be taken along on this accuracy journey with you! So thank you Sir!
Gavin, coming from a machinist who had to hold .0002" tolerances in the aerospace industry, I have to say you're a quite competent machinist- your attention to detail is commending...very, very few gun builders go to this much trouble to make sure it's right- your results speak for themselves. Excellent accuracy. If you are self taught, that is quite impressive. I only got to the level I did from learning from others in my industry.
There is another way to dial in a barrel perfectly true with the axis of the bore, and that is with a "spider" on the rear of the lathe through-bore and a 4 jaw chuck with tiny aluminum soft jaws on the front. Dial in as needed. Tiny (narrow from front to back) soft jaws keep the chuck jaws from putting undue influence on the barrel and possibly warping it through clamping force.
Thank you!!! if you look at some of my other Chambering videos, actually use the technique you mentioned with the spider and soft pads with a four jaw chuck!
@@Ultimatereloader You're on it! I shoulda known. Btw Thanks also for bringing quality work to the attention of people that otherwise wouldn't see just how much work (and knowledge) goes into building a rifle that shoots great. Not only does it show them *why* it takes the time it does, it helps gunsmiths justify the price of the labor.
this the best channel watch in regards building the most accurate rifle ive ever seen, wonderful stuff
For any the idiots give u slack about the rifle their just jealous they can’t do what you do. Great video as usual. Do you build rifles for people the public if not u need to am sure theirs tons of people out there like me love how much you pay attention to detail and for it to be spot on. God bless!
Nice build Gavin. I started with a Savage 12 target action and a Shilen barrel. It's sits in a HS precision tactical stock. It's by far the best shooting rifle I have built. I run the Sierra 77 SMK with IMR 8208 and CCI 450s for awesome dime sized 5 shot groups at 200 yards. Congratulations on your build!
Awesome results Nick!
Great to see some .223 content .
In this world of latest and greatest cartridges it’s refreshing to see extreme accuracy and Gunsmithing on my favourite usable, accessible and fun cartridge .I will be very interested to see your reloading results .
PS - great channel 👍
Can't say enough about this .223 effort. Nicely produced video. Impressed with your lathe expertise.
Thank you!
This is so up my ally. I have a very similar rifle system with the same ideas in mind.
Howa 1500 Short action. 1:9 heavy barrel. Worrior suppressor with Tuner end on it.
Nikon 6-24×50 Target reticle scope.
AIM comoposite stock.
Lapua brass
Swift Scroccos 62gn bonded pills
CCI BR4 primers
Varget
Supported by either my Sinclaire bipod or Farley with joystick.
Benchrest is my style.
Great topic, as usual. Best production value of any shooting channel on UA-cam.
I’m building a .223 for training purposes. Mainly to get back into shooting consistently. It’s been a while since I’ve put rounds down range on a consistent basis. I’ve never shot long range it’s my goal this year. My sons and I are going down the reloading and long range rabbit hole together. I’m building an M4 and will throw a night scope on it when I have out grown it. We do have a b14 hmr 300 win mag with a sig tango 4 6-24 scope on the way
Flat out dream build! And that new PM leaves me speechless. I love your content 👍🏻
My Remington VSSFII 223 groups exactly the same with 50gr BK. I love it. A higher twist would be ideal.
I think I need to have you build me a couple of those. .223 and I was thinking 6XC. Impressive dedication to accuracy.
Great build Gavin! I'm shooting a 26" 223 Criterion Remage Barrel in a trued Remington 700 receiver with Hornady 88gr ELD-M @ 2800fps using CFE-223. This is actually the first rifle I've used to get to 1000 yds and it's been so much fun! Enjoy your build!
Oh yeah and my loads are only 45 cents a round!
Awesome!!!
I’m making a similar loan, so far pushed it to 2520 fps
@@martinc.4699 What length barrel? Powder?
Scott Priestley 26” stabal 6.5
Well Done! Congrats on the new rig!
So glad you gave it a dedicated action over messing with the bbls. I even see a dedicated stock in your future. The rigs are both going to shoot great, so there is no point to swapping things back and forth. Looking forward to the load work and range reports!!!
I had my Forster honed to 0.2445. Works perfectly with Lapua and other brass without overworking. Probably could go bigger, but I use a bushing die for that.
My brain is in gun technical information overload... But why do I still enjoy watching? 😆 That is SO friggin amazing. Certainly the Ultimate Trainer!
What a beast of a build, I thoroughly enjoyed it. You have forgotten more about guns, than I know. Very, very informative.
Nice build again Gavin, if i were in the US i would be sure to have a rifle built by you, but the gunsmith i use here in Scotland is really good too, keep up the good vids
Damn I need to learn how to start building bolt actions damn! Great stuff Gavin thank you
I'll Take two!!! :) That is one heck of a WOODCHUCK rig. :) 1000 yards with a 223 Remington? OMG!!!!!! Hope you succeed get ing out that far and look forward to watching your attempts with that rifle eagerly. :) It'l be soomething to see indeed.
Another great vid Gavin! That build looks like a very enjoyable companion to your 6. Enjoy it!
I love it man. Just fun to shoot targets with. I have a Savage 12fv that still shoots pretty incredibly tight with match ammo. There's just something fun about a rifle that doesn't recoil much and hits exactly where the reticle is.
....and this will be a great varmint hunting rig as well!
That is way beyond impressive! Thanks again!
Glad you liked it!
I bought a 1440HD from PM about 4 years ago now. Been used almost daily since then. Had to repair some minor things on it, but overall a pretty good lathe! Also like the 223 plan. I put a 1-6 twist 19" barrel on an ar and am impressed with the accuracy and range I can get with the 88 ELD-M bullets. Supersonic out to 1200 yards. Not bad for a 22!
Awesome!!!! PM lathes rock...
You videos are top notch, very detail oriented and interesting to watch. I love your new trainer something you should be proud of. Keep up the good work.
Thank you very much!
Great build and well presented. I should have pursued more machinist training in my travels. I will have to be content with using barrel nuts, good results so far.
Thank you!
I'll get one lathe for myself and another for my son in law. This guy is amazing.
All I can say is Holy Crap…. I can only dream of accuracy like that. Beautiful rifle, hope to see more videos with it..
I have a Remington 700 sps varmint in 223. It’s a joy to shoot.
My best shooting 223/5.56 is my Uintah Precision 223 Wylde UPR-15 upper. I also reload the 77gr OTM because that's what I used in the ARMY in my MK12. Awesome video.
That is one of the coolest rifles Ive ever seen! Total dream gun! Fantastic work sir!
Thank you!
Nice!! I’ve been wanting to get a great 223 trainer so I’m crazy jealous!!
Awesome 👏🏻 🙌🏻
Nice job! Sure is fun building them..
I'm doing the exact same thing as I'm watching this, putting together a 223 AI that's very similar to my 260 and 6.5-284 Norma. Hopefully mine is this accurate!
The main reason why I'm in school for machining. Just waiting for the day I can grab my own lathe to build a few RUMs
You're on another level
I'm new to reloading and I absolutely love it
Wow man. Crazy build
Wow this such good news. I often think that .223 are like the unsung heros. So I try do everything with mine. Allthough a Howa 1500 in 1:9 twist. I loves 69gn SMKs nut it hard to find. So I am now committed to shooting Swift Siroccos 62gn but with a tuner on. I have used this rifle in 6ppc competitions just for fun. Does pretty good in IBS shooting out to 300m.
Now just tune my barred and its off the chase distance.
Thank you G for another great post. I sit and wait for them.
Fantastic video!!!!
Very interesting, I love Engineering.
I Think the rifle looks perfect. I would definitely have one. In fact, i want one!!!!
Awesome video Gavin! I just built a 223 as well with an mpa comp chassis and a 7 twist 26 inch m24 barrel. I loaded up some Berger 85.5 with 8208 and got it to shoot a .21 inch 5 shot group. They are so fun to shoot can't wait to see more on this rifle! Nice work
Awesome rifle you have! I may have to try some of the 85.5s :)
@@Ultimatereloader if you do make sure you get em close to the lands.. I tried jumping em at like .070 and .120 and they were all over the place. But at .010 they were perfect. Also are you doing customer clambering at all or not quite yet?
With yours being a 1:8 I would try the Berger vld 75 those bullets are awesome!
That would be a awesome rifle for ground squirrels. Awesome, video
Awesome video, such high quality and easy to watch. I run a .223 AI that I absolutely love. Cheaper to shoot, good practice, and perfect to train the wife and kids on.
This has inspired me to want to build a 223, not so much for training, but just for insanely accurate fun.
I wondered how those Berger 77g OTM would shoot. I’m using the 75 ELDM for tactical class but fell in love with the Berger 85.5, just can’t use them in tactical class and wanted some Bergers for tactical. I still love my Valkyrie gas gun also and having an223 bolt gun I had all the components except brass. I’m just doing it backwards, I got the trainer first next comes some version of Creedmoor to run.
Check out the 25 creed. Better performance than 6.5 and 6mm creed with better barrel life than the former. A guy has a pretty good video of him shooting it out to 1800 yards.
Very nice job Gavin. We're all jealous, that's for sure. Keep up the great work and I've got 1st right of refusal on that beautiful build! : )
Oh, and just the Barreled Action. I gotta T4A Team waiting for it.🤣
My .223 is my favourite accurate rifle as well, and it’s only a tikka t3 with hand loads I get Less than a half inch at 200 yards all day every day. Including cold shot.
I dont know about a trainer but ive got a223, awsome job, great rife!
Awesome! I love a 223, it's a lot of fun to shoot and inexpensive .
Thank goodness you put the brake on.
If every gunsmith only took this much time and attention to detail…the wait times still don’t remotely add up
No doubt!! I had a Tikka built and it took over a year! I'm still wondering if my smith took my barrel for another build and ordered another. I was also supposed to get my original barrel back but never did. I will say so far into load development that its showing good signs for sub 1/2 moa
There's no real money in gunsmithing outside of precision work with high end clients. This means most gunsmiths have other sources of income.
I got the Bergara B14R trainer to match the savage model 10 I built with shelf parts similar to this and the big horn Origin that will be the .260 and .280 chamberings for my “big gun.”
You really shouldn’t enable people like this….LOL.
I don’t have the machine shop like you, but the ideas do flow for shelf parts
Very cool Gavin. Glad all your hard work and precision played off. Awesome video too. What a great shooting .223. Wish I had one just like that. If you ever felt the need to make another I know 1 fan who'd be thrilled to shoot that out on the farm.
Hi Gavin, Thanks for another great video. I am eager to see how this rifle shoots at 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 rounds. Those will make great videos!!!
Thanks, yes this rifle will see a lot of rounds :)
My 223 barrel is also my most accurate rifle. it regularly shoots into the .1"s.
Really caught my attention with this one !
I would love a trainer like that for my son to train with. Awesome job 👏
Thanks 👍
Can you send an inquiry here? We are starting public work very soon! ultimatereloader.com/rifles/
Gavin, I have been told by several people, that a 1-7 twist is needed to stabilize the 77gn bullet.
nice, im building a 223 and 6.5 creed identical rifles so i have a trainer as well. nice build and groups!!
Watching this only makes me want to build my dream rifle more than ever.
This is the best content from you thus far Gavin. I’ve been inquisitive and curious about 223/223AI trainers. I think they aren’t just valid options, but super affordable with precision still in mind. This reinforces this.
Thanks!
Isaac
So happy to see this channel growing so well.
Thank you, and thanks for watching!
@@Ultimatereloader thank you for the great content
Thank you for sharing, like your video's.
They are shooters. I did a build on a remington700 SA .223 trued with Bartlein .224 7.7 twist. Trigger Tech trigger. Shooting Lapua brass, Hornady 75gn BTHP on top of 23.4gns of Varget sparked with Fed 205M. 4 shot groups at 100 average 0.238". Velocity avg is 2785. Can't ask for anything better
Nice job with this gun .
this build has dropped my jaw, seriously.
I was always wondering how to bore such a long hole precisely.
I'm waiting for my 1st lathe to arrive, and it is not in that ballpark of precision and rigidity, but your build truly inspires me.
Great work! Im so jelly of your workshop and guns.
Yes that would be my dream gun.
Great build. Looking forward to load development.
Veery good looking forward to seeing what it will do in better weather
I watch all your videos,love it.
Wonderful build!
Love this 223 build and content
Thank you!
Another awesome precision rifle build Gavin 👍 . Gordy Gritters would agree I’m sure .
Thank you !!!!
Thanks Gavin for the video, could we see more tech videos,my knowledge is not up to speed,most people want to learn more.Thanks again brother.
Awesome shooting
Nice idea. Beautiful build!
Getting ready to spin up a .223AI as a trainer now.
I thought about that for this project!
@@Ultimatereloader our mutual friend Bill Marr turned me on to this.
@@MaddMaxxLop Hahaha- thought it may be a degree of separation away from Matt Hornback :) Bill is a good guy!
That's a dream lathe right there. Maybe one day...
Really informative video! And great build of the 223 trainer.
Amazing build! Well done!
Incredible, how you became such machinist & gunsmith ! Wow, and what about your 6.5x47, does it shoot better or worse than this 223 ???
Awesome work! 👌 similar things happening here in New Zealand with a 223 class being created due to the shortage.
How about a video about the oopsies you've had also! Plenty of stories to tell I'm sure.
Imagine if he started his own gun business, I would love one of your custom builds
Unbelievable work brother, great job. You deserve it!!thanks so much for sharing... Makes us all jealous lol.
Beautiful rifle. The only pet peeve I have is the 5/8x24 threads. That’s ok on a skinny little hunting barrel but I think it completely defeats the purpose of buying a heavy barrel and you now just made the crown the weakest link. For example my 300 rum I put a 1.35” for 5” then straight taper to 1.15” @ 33” the 1x14 tpi threads for muzzle break on my rem 700. It may do nothing but just looks weak and that’s a lot of pressure coming down that barrel for that little end not to stretch.
I really like this video. 223 brass is so readily available, just like 308. Once components starting filling up the shelves again this is an ideal trainer over a rimfire for the aspect of learning reloading techniques that work for the shooter and flight characteristics will be similar to those of your competition rifle. If a shooter is limited on space a rimfire would be an option though as I have noticed the comments on cost of the rifle and setup. I have my 6mm ARC (Uintah Precision) and hope that the cartridge will take off like the 223. It was really cool to see the major steps used in finishing your barreled action. Are the Batt actions one of the smoothest bolt actions out there? How does it feel in comparison to the American Rifle Company actions. Just curious as extraction/eject process is something that I am looking at. Once again, great video and thank you for making it.
I think there are better extractors and ejectors out there! One thing I notice with all these guys is they don't check their custom actions for truing. I would be checking everything. Nitriding would be a smoothness assist, but honing and bolt sizing would be the important part for smoothness. I have 2 x 700 actions in getting done now and honing and sleaving the bolts are being done. I don't have customs where I live and am trying to import. All I investigate fall short, some have amazing design, there is 2 lug, 3 lug, 6 lug. 60/70/90 throw, problems created by short throws. I like interchangeable bolt faces because it gives so many more options....like the BAT, you could start with 223 on .384 bolt face and then swap to .445 for rounds like the 6ARC or to .470 and open up all the 6mm like CM/BR/Dasher etc 6.5CM/308. Even take the short action out with magnum boltface .540 to 6.5PRC. One action covers so many calibers. Getting action wrenches for your action is important and something people wouldn't think of when buying....go-no go gauges. There is prefits on some actions but I have seen top shooters prefer to get their barrels fitted and no barrel nut....I will probably do this and spend the extra few hundred on each barrel. It may not be this big a difference if prefits are more expensive than blanks....not up to this stage of my builds yet. Have a look at Pristine actions for some very cool designs...they don't suit me as they aren't doing long actions yet or magnum boltfaces but they have some cool design on extractors and ejectors and good info on short throws and problems that brings up.
Amazing Gavin!!! I am seeing you materializing my dream come true with this build. I just finished my frugal version of a build using Howa mini varmint barreled action in .223 and did my second session of shooting. Topped it with a Riton 3X 6-24 scope and a Bell & Carlson M40 style stock. Adjusted the original trigger to 1.5 lb. With handloads of 55gr Hrdy FMJ and 21 grains of 2200 powder I got a group of .310. Very proud of my achievement for someone with seriously depleted physical dexterity and advanced age. However, my most excitement is watching you realize the awesomeness of the .223 and seeing it materialize. Thank you a million from a fellow Washingtonian.
Very well done amigo