Converting model 10 SF from 243win to 223AI

[dukeflr]

I have the barrel, bolt head, and dies all on order. The barrel is a 223 Ackley from the E.R. Shaw group buy from GunShack. I will be bedding the action to my BVSS stock.

How much of a pain will it be to make this setup a repeater from the blind stagger feed mag? Will I need to purchase the 223 mag box and the 223 follower, or can I use the 243 follower and trim the back up a little? I suspect the "steps" on the follower may be different. I understand the feed lips may need tweaking and the 40 degree shoulder still might cause problems.

If the repeater is not a likely success, what is the best route to go for a single shot? Just buy the 223 "Score High" follower and slap it in the 243 mag box, or will I need the 223 mag box regardless?

Thanks in advance.

[bootsmcguire]

To go Single Shot, you should just be able to use the Score High Follower for the 243 Mag Box you have now.

For Repeater I would say just get the 223 box and follower, they aren't that much and should take a lot less "tweaking" (if needed) to get the 223AI to feed from rather than a modified 243 box that "might work".

All the above and a $0.98 will get you a dollar cup of coffee.

[GaCop]

+1 on what Boots has said. I built my 223 AI on a long action so use it as a single shot bench rifle with the Score High follower. My barrel is 1 in 8 twist to take advantage of the 80 grain bullets. It drives tacks with the 52 grain SMK when I'm fireforming brass. If you go single shot, the single shot follower will preclude spending money for a 223 mag and follower which will limit how far out you can seat the heavier bullets. You can recoup some investment by selling your take off barrel in the classifieds.

[jpdown]

+1 on advice above. Another option if you want to go with a single shot follower is to get the "Fred Sled" from SSS. You will need to trim a little off the rear of the sled to get it to fit into a stagger feed action. A touch of epoxy will hold in place. Then you can do away with the mag. box and follower all together.

[GaCop]

+1 on advice above. Another option if you want to go with a single shot follower is to get the "Fred Sled" from SSS. You will need to trim a little off the rear of the sled to get it to fit into a stagger feed action. A touch of epoxy will hold in place. Then you can do away with the mag. box and follower all together.

Good advice, I forgot all about that option.

[dukeflr]

Great stuff from you guys. Thanks. I am probably going to go with the Fred Sled. Although, I have never used either it or the Score High, Fred's part looks like the round would feed smoother. The single shot option seems to make a little more sense. This setup is likely going to be a range rifle anyway. That and possibly the mythical PD hunt that few of us actually get to go on, but always talk about!

GaCop, Thanks for the tidbit on the 52gr SMK. This barrel will be 1 in 9", so I was planning on the 70gr VLD, and 75 gr Amax. I am about to post over on the wildcat section, asking for load advice etc. One of the questions was a good 50ish grain fire forming load.

Any other thoughts, please chime in.
Thanks,
Duke

[bootsmcguire]

Isn't the "Fred Sled" for Centerfeed Actions? The one that I have is for CF and fits great.

[dukeflr]

Boots,

Yes the fredsled is for center feed. I think jpdown is saying, you can modify it to fit in the stagger feed by grinding it to fit. Do you think the Fred Sled is better than the Score High?

[bootsmcguire]

Both do the job just fine. The two from SH fit the mag nice and tight and line up just fine. I have used the SH on 223, 22-250, and 243AI and they all worked great. Fred's Sled is in my 6BR and it works good also. I will say that the FS has a bit of play in it and if it shifts just right, it drags on the bolt at the chamber end of the adapter. Most likely an installation problem/operator error, but no biggie.

[dukeflr]

Would the 243 SH follower be better than the 223? If I purchased the 223 follower and placed it in the 243 mag box, wouldn't the follower have a large gap at the rear?

Thanks

[jpdown]

The Fred Sled will fit a stagger feed with minimal modification by cutting/grinding several mm of metal from the rear of the sled. I've use both the SH and FS in a Savage SA stagger feed that started out as a .243 and was converted to .204 Ruger, back to .243, and then 6mmBr. IMO, the FS will feed better with the sharp wall AI/BR cases, fits and looks better, and does away with the magazine box assembly and spring and plastic follower.

Your will need to get a SH SS follower for a standard SA magazine if you go that route.

[bootsmcguire]

Would the 243 SH follower be better than the 223? If I purchased the 223 follower and placed it in the 243 mag box, wouldn't the follower have a large gap at the rear?

Thanks

Yes, jpdown is right, you would need a 243 sized S.H. follower to use in your mag box you have now. The 223 version would leave a gap. If the Fred Sled is that easy to fit then it looks like you could go either route and be fine.