223 - finally

[HMC710]

My first AR was (is) a Colt Match Target that I got from my dad either in '07 or '08, really don't remember, but in the scheme of things, not that long ago. It's a nice rifle, so nice, that my Dad missed it and wanted to "borrow" it. Well I really didn't mind because it took about 2 seconds after getting the Colt before I was diagnosed with Black Rifle Disease, became a prowler on arfcom, got a Colt 7.62x39 upper, then as luck (and money) would have it, a Colt Sporter 7.62x39 Lower. The rest they say, "Is History". I never once sat and lamented the fact that I didn't have a .223 / 5.56. When I finally built one in 2012, it lasted about a week before a friend said he was looking for one and it too was gone. I had purchased a Lee Load Master and 1000 once fired brass and bulk bullets, but that too all sat for calibers more "exciting". When the last shortage hit I did a conversion for a customer on his upper and wound up with another 223 barrel. Being the same time as we were working with the 22 Reed Express, I finally made the decision to keep a .223 around. Something simple with iron sights and an A2 stock for a truck gun. Its a nice little rifle and I'm glad I finally did it. Now to get the load master set up!
The Reed Express was one reason to build the 223, the other was Bro had a Remington XP100 for sale. Well, we finally came to terms on it:

It has a 1:14 twist and it shoots the small bullets like a house a fire



Those are the first 3 shots at the new range and from all the weeds I had to shoot through I am amazed at that group. The bad thing about the range is it faces the evening sun which makes things a bit difficult, especially with old eys and iron sights! The XP is a fine gun and am looking forward to more time with it. Plus the fact I can make some new barrels
So for all the .223 shooters, here's our new thread

[HMC710]

Been playing with the 223 AR, nothing fancy, just a bunch of spare parts put together. Sat down at the 25 yard range to do the rough sight in using stock iron sights, good thing too, cause it was way off!



The three shot in the higher group is the AR, the lower group was from the XP100 at 100 yds. I was holding center target so some adjustments were needed......

[HMC710]

Here is the 223 Carbine



It has an A2 stock because I like the extra length, an Ergo grip cause stock grips suck, iron sights because I'm out of scopes, and I just swapped out the 2pc UTG quad rail with a Magpul MOE which I like better. Not shown in the picture is the new Wilson Combat tactical muzzle brake and ambi charge handle. The lower is a New Frontier poly which I am in the process of field testing to see how it holds up. The fit is ok, but the fire control group is also polymer so its going to be interesting to see how the sear holds up. The upper is a RRA 1:9 barrel in a DPMS Low Pro receiver with Stag Arms BCG. So, everyone is well represented here! The only issue I've had so far is failure to chamber fully. THe Low Pro has no Forward Assist and the ammo is stuff dad reloaded years ago and some of it is tight. We are going to try and get the Loadmaster set up this weekend so hopefully we can put those 800 once fired brass to use.
Building a mock 3 gun range so getting away from the paper punching is fun.

[HMC710]

Tried out a mag with the new Wilson compensator. I was surprised to say the least as the recoil impulse was almost non existent. It almost felt as the rifle was pulled away from me. Had to run through the sequence a few times so see if it was real. Impressive.

[HMC710]

Picked up some primers this weekend and loaded up some of the SS109 pulled bullets for the .223. Using a 25 gr charge of H335 the 62gr FMJ hit 2830 fps on the chrono. Ran a few drills on paper and metal targets and I'm still impressed with the Wilson Compensator. Recoil is basically non-existent. My next move is to put an adjustable gas block on this upper and tune it right in.
I also picked up a Wilson Combat 24" SS 1:7 twist barrel. Will put together a varmint style upper and see how it compares with the Carbine.

[HMC710]

The Wilson 24" upper is together and ran three test rounds through it today. Will get it cleaned up and find a scope for it and get it tuned in.

[HMC710]

Cleaned up the Wilson and put the old Weaver T6 on it. Man those are some fine cross hairs.
Loaded up 21.5gr of H335 and Hornady 75gr AMax to try in the 1:7 twist barrel. Quick Load predicted about 2600 fps but I did not chrono these.
First 5 rounds seated to 2.250"



That's about a 6" spread If the far right was a flier, we're still at 3+

Next five were 2.360"



The horizontal closed up but what a vertical! I played with the parallax and focus but the horizontal cross hair just won't clear up.

Next load was 2.415" OAL. I had no method to my madness just cranked the seater out and was going to stop when I hit rifling. I also played with focus and parallax again to try and clear things up in the scope a bit.



So, whether the scope or the load, things are moving in the right direction. We've got a ways to go to catch the XP, so we'll see what happens

[HMC710]

Still seating the bullets out farther and getting more rounds down range. Will post pics when I have some more time. Issue now is that with the 24" bull barrel and 2.4" + rounds, this thing is a bench gun only. Good thing I have the carbine for plinking...

[HMC710]

Picked up a Weaver Kaspa 4x16 scope for the Wilson. So far its OK and will get some pics posted. Got it mounted and started sighting things in and still seating bullets out with this. Shot a couple decent groups and a couple that need improvement but I forgot my front bag and I was far from solid. Now I need to do a trigger job or try out another one....... where does it end......

[HMC710]

Put a couple of carbines together for off hand iron sight drills. Took the two days off to do a bunch of reloading and spent a misty day today at the range. Man are my eyes getting bad..... time for another pair of glasses I guess.. Plates at 50 yds still don't have a chance..