From 223 to 22-250. Thanks TDNichols

[RustyW]

This is my first bbl swap and I must say it went very smoooth. I don't have an action wrench or a Savage BBL nut wrench but I do have a vice and 1-1/4 box end wrench and some small drill bits. I used a scrap piece of oak, drilled a 1" hole in it and split it in half. I used a pinch of brown sugar on both halves too bite a little, worked like a charm. I also have a 243 centerfeed, accustock, accutrigger and needed a bolt to match the 22-250. I just pulled the bolt from the 243 and slid it in the 223 action. I screwed the 22-250 bbl onto the 223 action & 243 bolt using a once fired, sized with a Lyman sizing die. I rotated the action untill it just touched the datum line. I had some brass shim stock and used a .001 shim as a no go gauge. There was some slight resistance felt on closing the bolt on a few pieces off brass but not all. I had some brand new, never fired, sized winchester brass and all chamber fine, so I locked it down & called it good. I had a chance to go shoot a little over the weekend and am very pleased with the outcome. I have too many bullet/powder combo's to choose from. I have 55 V-max's, 50gr Hornady SPX, & SP, 50gr Win sp, 50gr Speer sp, 52gr MK's, 40gr V-max, 60gr Berger hp, 60gr Hornady hp, I'll have the BBL half worn out before I land on a load. Powders on hand are H380, H414, Varget, IMR 4320, RL10x, H4895, & IMR 3031. It's really very easy to do with just a few tools. I've since ordered the correct wrench, lug, & nut from NSS but I can say this will not be my last build. I'm already saving up for a couple new bbls. I'm wanting a 6BR, 243AI, 223AI or/and 22BR or possibly a Waldo G.

[RustyW]

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/Image0075.jpghttp://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/Image0067.jpghttp://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/Image0071.jpghttp://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/Image0068.jpghttp://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/Image0064.jpghttp://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/Image0066.jpg

[RustyW]

Crash course in posting pics. I tried to get'em on the original post but had to figure it out. They're cheap cell phone pics but I you get the idea. I was shooting from the spare tire on the back of my Honda CRV as a rest, sun setting in the west, cheap Bushnell Banner 6x18-50 that has a bad glare. I'm happy with the results so far. I need to build a shooting bench and start a little earlier in the day so the sun isn't in my face. I think it'll take a yote at 2-300, after a little trigger time maybe 400.

Just wanted to add a BIG thank you to the people that contribute and run the site. You guys have been a big help.

[ellobo]

If I were you I would check that the barrel is fully free floated and let it cool a bit beween shots.

El Lobo

[RustyW]

The barrel is fully floated. I used a barrel bedding tool and a lot of elbow grease. This was also my first stock experiment. The stock was a closeout from Stocky's stocks for a sporter contour and unfinished. I got a little thin on one side and it's far from perfect, but it'll do. I thought I'd like the thumbhole but the grip is a little too far back and the angle from my finger to the trigger is a little awkward. You're right about letting the bbl cool down. I shot 3 shots, about a minute apart then walked down and marked the group. Maybe 5-7 minutes between 3 shot groups. One thing I noticed is the muzzle end and the chamber end dosen't get as hot as the middle right before the flutes start. It was about 40 degrees out and a slight breeze whipping around. The gun/loads could do better if I had a better rest and took my time to get on target. I didn't really expect a 3 shot 1 holer. I'm just going to use it for varmint hunting. If it'll hold a 1" group at 100yds that'll be good enough for me.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/RWoolever/p_364700900_11.jpg

[GaCop]

With better conditions, you should see better groups. You may want to consider glass bedding the stock. Have you insured the tang is floated? Are you still using the factory stamped recoil lug? It's not dead flat and can vary in thickness by as much as .010" so down the road you may want to replace it with a dead flat machined and ground one from Sharp Shooter Supply or Brownell's.

There are better scopes out there than the Banner your using. Should the Banner go belly up, look at the Vortex line of scopes, good value for the money and the no BS lifetime warranty is great.