110 Elite Precision in 223

[JustSgtPat]

I’m looking at buying a 110 EP in 223. I enjoy target shooting and am interested in going longer distance with this. I’m thinking F Class T/R mid and long range once I’m proficient with this. I am interested in 223 because I’m already set up to reload for it and enough experience in it to blow myself up. I know 6mm CR or 6.5 would do better but this is my path as of now. Looking for everyone’s input on a few questions.

• Does the 223 model (still) have the ejector issues I’ve seen discussed about the 6.5? That will kill the chances of me going this route if it does
• ive not seen much discussion on Berger 85.5gr and how anyones EP likes them? I have several hundred 73gr ELD left for 3-600. I’ve been told 80gr might go subsonic before 1000yds and local clubs target sensors require it to stay supersonic to register.
• what is average barrel life for 223 in this model?
• I’ve never had a savage before. But never shot F Class either. How is the trigger by F Class standards?
• This is not a savage specific question. Any suggestions on a Arca bipod.

Appreciate everyone reading and giving me their 2 cents.

[Dave Hoback]

I’ll simply field the first question. No there is no mass ejection problems with 223. Can it happen? Sure. All ejection issues have been identified & are easily remedied. If it happens, bring the situation here & we can easily address it.

[JustSgtPat]

I’ll simply field the first question. No there is no mass ejection problems with 223. Can it happen? Sure. All ejection issues have been identified & are easily remedied. If it happens, bring the situation here & we can easily address it.

Thank you. Would you use this to begin f class at mid and later long range?

[Dave Hoback]

I’m not a competitor. Several others here are way into comp. Fuj’ will likely chime in. He’s great with all this a-b-c-d-e-F-g Class stuff.. LOL!!

I will say, 223 is ok in 600yd, but really asking a lot of it at 1000yds. But any quick search brings up articles like this: https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com...d-f-tr-record/ So, yes it certainly can & has been used effectively. (And that happened to be a Savage used as well.) 2011 though, sure.. many years ago, but still. It wouldn’t be choice, however, I’m a .264”/6.5mm guy, but that me. And I don’t compete as I said.,

[GrenGuy]

Thank you. Would you use this to begin f class at mid and later long range?

I shoot IBS & GBA competition at 600 & 1,000yds, Benchrest. F class shoot prone, on the ground. F Open can shoot all calibers, I think up to .408. F/Tr is limited to 308Win & 223Rem. Many Women & Youth shoot the 223. I suggest You attend a match and see if what is going on is for You. You can start with what You have. Be advised, nothing about this is cheep. Competing with a Savage is pushing a heavy load up hill. There are a few of us just stubborn enough to keep doing it.

[charlie b]

First, I don't compete for a number of reasons, one being there is not a regular competition at my range. There is a really nice 1000yd range that I use every week.

Do you have other rifles? Have you shot in competition before?

GrenGuy makes a good point about visiting a match. Besides seeing how things go you can meet some of the folks there and let them know you are interested. If you already have a qualifying rifle you can try shooting a round or two. Might not be competitive but you can see what it is like. Most of the clubs have members with many rifles and it is not unusual to be loaned a rifle for a match once they get to know you. There are also some pretty good deals to be made when someone 'moves up' and wants to sell a rifle. You'll also see what kinds of rifles and cartridges folks prefer and be able to ask them why they have chosen theirs.

Also gives you a chance to look at some other rigs before paying a lot of money for a rifle. You might also be surprised at some of the 'budget' rigs.

Here is some info on the .223 that might be of interest.
https://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

FWIW, I would much rather shoot a .308 at 1000yd than a .223. Much easier for me to hit a milk jug simply due to wind drift.

[JustSgtPat]

First, I don't compete for a number of reasons, one being there is not a regular competition at my range. There is a really nice 1000yd range that I use every week.

Do you have other rifles? Have you shot in competition before?

GrenGuy makes a good point about visiting a match. Besides seeing how things go you can meet some of the folks there and let them know you are interested. If you already have a qualifying rifle you can try shooting a round or two. Might not be competitive but you can see what it is like. Most of the clubs have members with many rifles and it is not unusual to be loaned a rifle for a match once they get to know you. There are also some pretty good deals to be made when someone 'moves up' and wants to sell a rifle. You'll also see what kinds of rifles and cartridges folks prefer and be able to ask them why they have chosen theirs.

Also gives you a chance to look at some other rigs before paying a lot of money for a rifle. You might also be surprised at some of the 'budget' rigs.

Here is some info on the .223 that might be of interest.
https://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

FWIW, I would much rather shoot a .308 at 1000yd than a .223. Much easier for me to hit a milk jug simply due to wind drift.

I am planning on a visit to an event soon. I have a few rifles that I could shoot in service division, both ar’s. And I intend to do so to fill out the day while also attempting TR. I bought a Howa 1500 in 223 with the intention of using it as my entry rifle. But after a short time I learned it was predictable and repeatable to 400yds, after that it went south. And with the 1-9 twist and 20” barrel it couldn’t handle the heavier bullets based on the calculations.

My thinking is the 110EP could be good at 3-5-600. Once I have learned to to read wind and how to adjust, I could try 800 thru 1000 with much heavier Bergers. If I can afford to move up (new rifle and dies as one time expenses and brass, powder and bullets as consumables) then I will. This route is pretty much based on the fact I have supplies and dies for 223 now. If I had 308 I would go that route.

[JustSgtPat]

I shoot IBS & GBA competition at 600 & 1,000yds, Benchrest. F class shoot prone, on the ground. F Open can shoot all calibers, I think up to .408. F/Tr is limited to 308Win & 223Rem. Many Women & Youth shoot the 223. I suggest You attend a match and see if what is going on is for You. You can start with what You have. Be advised, nothing about this is cheep. Competing with a Savage is pushing a heavy load up hill. There are a few of us just stubborn enough to keep doing it.

as I’ve never competed I see this as a potentially easy way into competition. As I said I’ve got most of the supplies to reload for a few matches. Im thinking a 110 EP gets me in and is a rifle that will take some time for me to outgrow as I learn. Seems wasteful to even consider a $3500 rifle being new, but I can see outgrowing a cheaper rifle quickly if I stick with it.

My methodology, and I would like to hear others take on this, is it’s meeting in the middle on several fronts. 223 is cheaper to shoot than 308 per round and I have supplies to reload it now. It also means I don’t have to compete against big money set ups I don’t stand a chance against. And that’s not the rifles fault, it’s my lack experience. The 110 EP can handle the heavier Berger if I want to try 800 or 1000yds a few times. By that point I will know if this is something I will do long term and justify more money to go to a different round.

[Turkeytider]

I’ll simply field the first question. No there is no mass ejection problems with 223. Can it happen? Sure. All ejection issues have been identified & are easily remedied. If it happens, bring the situation here & we can easily address it.

Dave, if it`s not too much trouble, specifically what has been shown to be the issues/causes for ejection failures in Savage rifles and what have been the fixes? The reason I ask is because i`ve been involved in discussions regarding this at our local range and I`d like to be able to give better informed guidance. Thanks very much!

[charlie b]

Dave, if it`s not too much trouble, specifically what has been shown to be the issues/causes for ejection failures in Savage rifles and what have been the fixes? The reason I ask is because i`ve been involved in discussions regarding this at our local range and I`d like to be able to give better informed guidance. Thanks very much!

The ejection issue is mostly due to the extractor not holding onto the case long enough. When pulling the bolt back the ejector pushes the case. As the neck clears the chamber it hits the lug recess in the receiver. This 'jolt' can make the extractor lose it's 'grip' on the case and the case falls into the receiver area.

The fix is a larger ball under the ejector to hold it in place better. The Sticky section has an article on this.
https://www.savageshooters.com/conte...t-Ball-Upgrade

There is also a sticky about primary extraction issues
https://www.savageshooters.com/conte...ary-Extraction

[Dave Hoback]

Dave, if it`s not too much trouble, specifically what has been shown to be the issues/causes for ejection failures in Savage rifles and what have been the fixes? The reason I ask is because i`ve been involved in discussions regarding this at our local range and I`d like to be able to give better informed guidance. Thanks very much!

While it can happen to any, the most notable of recent times is the 6.5 Creedmoor. The straight case design(which have always been more problematic to feed/extract over their tapered case counterparts), coupled with the Savage bolt head design, as well I suspect, the length of the 6.5CM case & magazine feed style, were characteristics that seemed to create a Perfect Storm for the very specific problem the Creedmoor Savages encountered. Of course as is always the case, this quickly became a word of mouth scorn tour for those against Savage that this happened to ALL Savages, regardless of model, caliber or cartridge. It was quickly discerned to be an easy fix. Put a little bevel in the Ejector. (Or replace with an aftermarket). An easy fix that 100% cured the issue.

The other most notable problem is due to the extractor. Typically, replacing the factory .125” bearing ball with one that is .140”, takes care of ejection issues. Again though, as I said before it important to isolate precisely what is happening. I believe in fixing an issue before it’s even a problem. Any Savage I were to gets the full bolt treatment from Jump Street. I like those “Kinneys” Extractor/Ejector kits. At the same time I do all the bolt tricks, de-burring, polishing, adding bolt lift kit,, etc.

[charlie b]

For example, my Model 12 developed ejection issues after about 1000 rounds. At first one or two a session, then every 5th round or more. When I put the new barrel on I removed the ejector cause I always single load. No issues at all with extraction, even with stuck cases. They stay held by the ejector until I pluck them out. Bolt has not been modified.

[Turkeytider]

Dave, Charlie, thanks very much. I`ve not encountered any extraction or ejection issues with my 110 in .223 (knock on wood! ). Just to ensure that I never have a failure with the original set up, I did get one of the extractor/ejector kits. If you don`t want something to fail, buy a spare!

[PhilC]

For example, my Model 12 developed ejection issues after about 1000 rounds. At first one or two a session, then every 5th round or more. When I put the new barrel on I removed the ejector cause I always single load. No issues at all with extraction, even with stuck cases. They stay held by the ejector until I pluck them out. Bolt has not been modified.

What I did too, no need to be slinging hand worked brass at the bench.