Would you like it? (.223 related)

[Guest]

Okay, the big manufacturers in ammo have been busy puttin out all kinds of neat bullets for .223 rifles. Some of these include weights up to 80gr and 90gr. There has been a virtual explosion in bullets in the 60gr and 70gr weight zone. Running some of these with the new .223 specific powders, you can create a phenominal rifle for everything in the mid-sized game range (coyote, whitetail, and blacktail deer, etc.) and something that will travel a respectable distance.
Thing is, these are developed to be shot out of something with a fast twist rate 1:9, 1:8, or 1:7. Most commonly this is found on semi auto rifles. There arent very many options short of DIY project for a bolt action rifle. I see Savage and tikka make something but I have a little higher expectations than they can produce for my hunting rifles.
I am seriously thinking of utilizing my resources to develop a high quality game rifle in .223 with a 1:7 twist.
What are your thoughts?

[Grand58742]

As a project, go for it if it strikes your fancy. Lot's of hunters still prefer the bolt actions so it could be worth your time especially when shooting above 77 grain since the OAL will not permit proper feeding from AR mags and the throat needs to be lengthened specifically for higher grain weights or you risk high pressure issues.

But honestly, the AR platform has come a long way in recent memory towards becoming established in the hunting arena. Used to be a novelty, but with newer ammo and capabilities of the rifles it's hard to justify a bolt action .223 as a hunting rifle unless it's a predator/varmint rig. Which you end up running into your twist ratio since most varmint rigs run 1/12 or sometimes 1/9. ARs are probably going to be cheaper for the most part as a "walk around" hunting system since the rifle doesn't rely on as high a precision as a prairie dog whacker would, but even then ARs with heavy barrels hold their own as bench rest rifles. I could almost see a lot of manufacturers dropping their bolt action .223 lines in the future since ARs are comparable in price and capabilities and, above all, selling like hotcakes.

Kinda whatever floats your boat. I am surprised with the leaps forward in .223/5.56 ammo there hasn't been a carbine pattern or scout type rifle with a 1/7 twist barrel come out at some point, but again, with ARs being so prevalent it'd be hard to justify a new system. Overall, it'd be a limited market, but could potentially be a decent seller since EBRs still are looked at with wary eyes by some. But I doubt most manufacturers would be willing to take a risk on such an item when, again, the AR reigns and even more flexible with having the ability to switch uppers from .223 to 6.5 or 6.8 and have a multi capable system of a lot of game on the continent.

[Gus14]

I agree with you that the AR has come a long way. I also agree that they are capable of holding their own against bolt action firearms.
HOWEVER, there are states like PA that you cant hunt with an AR and in some places, they have not been approved for use at sanctioned bench rest comps.
What I was thinking was if you could have a bolt action that fired the same ammo as your MBR, that would be incredibly handy and a cost effective way to broaden one's ability. Being able to set up an AR carbine with optics such as an Aimpoint or EOTech for close stuff (200 yards or less) then having a bolt action set up for the long shots (>200 yards) AND being able to use that same rifle to hunt small to mid sized game would benefit folks greatly.

I am already halfway through with the project. I am thinking about posing the completed project to the powers that be in the company I work to see what they think. A friend of mine I work with is building a bolt action carbine with a 1:7 twist barrel. Speaking with some others in the industry, they have indicated they would like to try something like what I am talking about but have never taken the time or materials to do it. They all seemed to agree that they would like to make some time to hit the range when it's done to see how it performs.

If it is a one off project that doesnt go any further than my gun cabinet, thats fine. If it is something that I can generate interest in, I think this could be done with a free floated barrel, an adjustable trigger, and bedded on a laminate stock in the $550-$650 range.