My 223 axis project.

[Gearjammer91]

Hi,new here. I bought a 223 axis xp, no accutrigger, about a 3 weeks ago. First time out with it last weekend .

First thoughts are I love it, but I need to find ammo it likes. So far I just shot some pmc bronze and was a 2.5" group at 100 yards. Not really impressive. But considering it was it's first test and the only ammo I shot that day I can live and experiment some.

I eventually plan to reload but need to buy a house first. I plan on painting the stock desert tan and rocktite the forend. Eventually upgrading to a boyds stock and timney trigger and better scope. Hoping for 1moa at least at 100. I will post pics as my project progresses and updates on accuracy.

[phoenix1151]

After rocktite and barrel channel sanding to ensure freefloat, 1MOA shouldn't be too tough. Mine likes Hornady 55g V-Max over 4895 with a Burris 4.5-14 x 42 Fullfield II getting .6-.8 MOA at 100 yards so far. That's from an old guy with a hammering heart causing the crosshairs to pulsate across the bullseye in time with my pulse, lol.

[wbm]

Every Axis I have in .223 shoots American Eagle AR-223 50gr Tipped really well. Definitely give those a try....don't mistake that product with American Eagle 223 55gr FMJ....those don't shoot worth a d..n in mine.

[Gearjammer91]

I hope it does. I'm optimistic. We were using a lead sled with no weight on a boulder aiming slightly down hill with a slight cross wind. I think with the stiffer stock and better trigger it will help significantly. I have a 3-9x40 scope on it now. I want to shoot steel at 680, will a 12 power be enough or should I do a 16 or higher?

[Lonewulf]

got a 6-24x42 on my axis .223 :). I like to see the hits with out a spotting scope :)

[Gearjammer91]

not too bad. i like it. needs a few more coats and then should be done with the paint. still eed to rocktite and open up barrel channel.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/joshawalister91/Mobile%20Uploads/20160423_180456_zpspuutetud.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/joshawalister91/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160423_180456_zpspuutetud.jpg.html)

[alltherage]

what paint did you use? looks good

[Gearjammer91]

Rust-o-lium camp. Walmart had it

[4Patriot]

Is that recoil pad painted, or is it a replacement part?

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[Gearjammer91]

Painted

[OldLobo]

Must be a regional paint scheme GearJammer, I sprayed mine with that exact paint out in the swamp by Stanchfield, MN, I just pulled the pad so it's black on Sand. I like it, sharp and neat, but all business look. I did have some issues with chipping and scraping, and, was considering using a matte overcoat of poly spray. I'm not sure if it would be better or not.

Dan

[4Patriot]

OldLobo, do you think a primer coat would reduce the chipping?

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[pisgah]

I'd be curious to see how it shoots with no lead sled but off of sandbags with the offhand between the front sandbag and the forearm. Yours may be different, but mine shoots best like that.

[Gearjammer91]

Went and shot the ar223 ammo. Not bad considering 10 mph estimated crozs wind and no solid rest. 125 yards http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/joshawalister91/Mobile%20Uploads/20160513_185549_zpsaofzp0qe.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/joshawalister91/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160513_185549_zpsaofzp0qe.jpg.html)

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/joshawalister91/Mobile%20Uploads/20160514_101308_zpsm6hbtdwz.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/joshawalister91/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160514_101308_zpsm6hbtdwz.jpg.html)

[wyo85]

Pick up the 50 grain tipped American Eagle they will shoot allot better than those 55 grain.

[Gearjammer91]

I plan to pick up a bunch of different ammo. Then reload the brass next year. Can I load for 223 using 556 brass? Buddy was shooting 556

[HalfTrack]

Hi Gearjammer, You can use the 5.56 brass but there are physical differences between the .223 rem and 5.56 brass. Once you find and collect a brass type you like you may want to stick with the same type during your testing. Mixing the brass will work for "out there to have fun" but you may need a different load in them for accurancy. Be careful not to start at maximum based on the books. Start with a lower combination and see what is best for your rifle. I hope this helps.
HalfTrack

[Gearjammer91]

I plan too. Maybe I'll just trade them off. Or for fmj plinking loads.

[HalfTrack]

Hi, Just as food for thought, I tried three different loads in my Model 12 BVSS. Its a .223 REM

1. 55 gr Midaway FMJ flat bottom, with IMR4895 powder at 24+-.1gr and a CCI small rifle primer. This was mostly for break in and plinking.
2. 60 gr Hornady 60gr flat bottom, with IMR4895 at 27.5gr and the same CCI small rifle primer. Worked pretty well but not acceptable groups. Just over 1 MOA
3. 55 gr Hornady V-Max flat bottom, with both IMR4895 at 24.3-24.4gr and IMR8208XBR at 24.3-24.4gr with the CCI small rifle primer. These were the best at both 100 and 200 yds. I rarely go beyond 200-300 yds at my range, so these might be a start point for you. These I was able to work down to .75 MOA at both yardages. I also used these because at that time I was buying these were available.
Good Luck, HalfTrack

[Gearjammer91]

I plan on shooting steel at 680 and targets at 500. Local ranhe only has the gongs at 600 & 680. Gotta bring own holders for paper at that distance.