223 for ground squirrels

[Barrelnut]

Hope to use this for squirrels in the spring. Just put together. Hasn't been fired yet...
Hope to shoot the new Hornady 69gr ELD-VT.

Parts from various places:
Stock and target action from couple different classifieds
223 Criterion 7 twist 26" bull barrel from Northland
Bolt from Midway
SSS Bolt handle
Lift kit and trigger shims from Gun Shack
Scope is a DNT 7-35x56 with Vortex rings on a Murphy 20 MOA rail with a Monstrum bubble level

 

[K9TXS]

Looks really nice! I see it's a 7 twist. What weight bullet do you plan on using? It wouldn't hurt to have a barrel cooler ready. When the barrel starts getting really warm, take a break and let the cooler go to work.

 

[Barrelnut]

Hope to use the newer Hornady 69gr ELD-VT. They are quite a bit longer than a traditional 69gr bullet. So they might work well in a 7 twist.
The action where I shoot isn't fast and furious. So haven't had to break out a barrel cooler yet. Most of my shots are in the 300~500 yard range. I typically pass on anything closer.

 

[K9TXS]

With that 7 twist you can go to a heavy bullet that would have a good BC and it would really be good working with the wind. Let us know how it works out.

 

[CFJunkie]

Nice looking rig.

You might find that the 73 gr and 80 gr Berger VLDs and the 80 gr ELD-Ms will shoot great.
They do in my Shilen 1:7 twist 26-inch 416R SS barrel.
The 73 gr Berger VLDs average 0.172 and the other two average just under 0.190 for 5-round groups at 100 yards.
Haven't tried the 69 ELD-VTs but the 60 ELD-VTs weren't as accurate - averaged 0.211.
The ELD-VTs have a very short bullet body and a pretty big boat tail, so I had some problems keeping enough bullet body in the neck to maintain neck tension in my VLD chamber. I may have to do more experimentation to get better accuracy. Didn't seem worth it when so many other choices shot so much better.
The 69 gr and 80 SMKs both averaged 0.192, so 69 bullets will shoot in my 1:7 twist.
90 gr Berger VLDs averaged 0.194.
77 SMKs averaged 0.195 and 90 SMKs averaged 0.196.

Each rifle barrel will have preferences based upon the bore and the rifling.
Bore and rifling reamers wear with use so no two barrels can be exactly the same.
I have barrels in the same length and caliber from the same manufacturer that prefer different bullet weights.

 

[SevenFan]

Nice work, like that stock!

 

[Alan]

Hope to use this for squirrels in the spring. Just put together. Hasn't been fired yet...
Hope to shoot the new Hornady 69gr ELD-VT.

Parts from various places:
Stock and target action from couple different classifieds
223 Criterion 7 twist 26" bull barrel from Northland
Bolt from Midway
SSS Bolt handle
Lift kit and trigger shims from Gun Shack
Scope is a DNT 7-35x56 with Vortex rings on a Murphy 20 MOA rail with a Monstrum bubble level

Looking really nice!

 

[ONE-TEN]

That DNT 7-35x56 looks almost identical to the newer Arken EP5 7-35x56. I’m thinking they are produced by the same outfit overseas.

How is that DNT?

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Im curious why .223 for them? I use a 22lr or my shot gun.

 

[K9TXS]

Im curious why .223 for them? I use a 22lr or my shot gun.

You probably missed it, but look at post #3. He plans on shooting 300-500 yards. .22 LR maybe, but this rig is mad for those distances.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Oh wow i see. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Barrelnut]

That DNT 7-35x56 looks almost identical to the newer Arken EP5 7-35x56. I’m thinking they are produced by the same outfit overseas.

How is that DNT?

I believe they are the same scope. The DNT version just has some slightly different knobs on the turrets and slightly better illuminated reticle. This is my first Arken type scope and I'm pretty impressed with it. The glass is actually better than I thought it would be. Glass is not as good as higher end scopes but very usable, especially for someone banging steel or shooting varmints at LR. Don't think anything in the same price range can touch it. I'd buy another.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Old thread but nice rifle. I recently picked up a bolt from Midway to complete a build. Hopefully by end of week (I keep saying that).

Ground squirrels were fun. When I was stationed in Southern California (San Diego) myself and a few buddies had permission to hunt/camp/train dogs on a ranch. The owners only request was that we helped control the ground squirrel population. Not a problem! No different than back home in Maryland where the farmers asked you to kill as many groundhogs in the summer. In Cali we had Ruger NO1 Varmint's in 223 and 243 for the long pokes around 300ish yds and several 1022s for the close ones under 100yds. I miss those days.....ground squirrels provided more frequent shooting that groundhogs.

I have a nice Savage 204 that I need to give some love to.....may have to get it out to the farm and pop a hog or two soon. It has a lot of hogs to it's credit.