Backslidin'

[glenn asher]

Last weekend, I went and bought another rifle, to replace that poor old Howa .223 I used up in the prairie dog wars of '03, '05 and '06. Since it was in stock and priced right, I bought another Savage .223, a 12FVY. The stock was unimportant, since it's gonna be tossed anyway, and the rest of the rifle is grownup-sized. As luck would have it, Midway is running Duramaxx stocks on sale this month.
Sorry it wasn't a .204, but it was in stock, inexpensive, and I have a bunch of bullets stockpiled already. Besides, it can always be rebarrelled when the pipe gets tired . I doubt I'll get pilloried too much, it's a backup for my PD shoots, and everyone knows you need a couple of .223s..........

I still have both of my .204s, so don't get too worked up .

[acloco]

Sounds like me and my fascination with 223 Ackley Improved chambers. Bought one rifle already chambered, pieced together a nice Rem 700 (blueprinted action, $150 trigger, Varmint barrel 1:12 twist, stainless BDL bottom metal, & Factory synthetic varmint stock), and am considering a third!

For the rifle I built, I ended up with $445 into the base rifle, plus an $80 reamer.

The 223 AI is just a shade behind the 204 in ballistics when using 50/55 grain bullets.

[glenn asher]

I got off my duff and ordered the Duramaxx today, so it'll be here and waiting for the rifle, whenever I get around to picking THAT up. I've been loading ammo for next spring's PD shootin', and to get the rifle broken-in. An eight pound jug of Benchmark doesn't last long, feeding four rifles.............

[acloco]

We need PICS when you get it done.

Are you sure you don't want me to mail the 223 AI reamer to you?

[glenn asher]

This one is just basic black, it'll look like any other 12FV, I'm afraid, unless I get out the Krylon or something..........
As for the reamer, I appreciate the offer, but I'd hate to have to sort the brass, I have enough trouble with .223 and .204, at least the Fireball stuff is easy.

[acloco]

AI brass is the easiest to spot...trust me!

AI brass is the straight wall brass with broad shoulders (nearly straight cartridge with the 40 degree shoulder).

[glenn asher]

It isn't Christmas yet, but I went ahead and picked up the Savage anyway, no telling what the weatherman will do to us tomorrow.......
It's not even worth taking a picture of it, everyone knows what a Savage in a Duramaxx looks like Heck, I even know what it'll shoot like, it's pretty predictable how a Savage .223 shoots, thankfully, that's why I bought it! The action operates smoothly enough for a Savage, and it'll break in even better, so that's not an issue. About all I can think of, to improve it, is to get one of those Big Ball Bolt Handles, like I have on my .204. They make them pretty good, and the extra leverage is nice, too. I think I'd better order two or three of those, just in case...................

[LeeC]

Hi Glenn, I just got my DuraMaxx from Brownells....had to special order it 'cause I HAD to have the Freedom Green... Question is, since it's so light, do you, have you, should I do something with all the "lightening" holes? I'm going to glass bed the action, and I was thinking I might fill those holes with lead shot and acraglass or foam insulation. This rifle will eventually be a 6.5 Swede with a
#18 Shilen, so it will be a bit bow heavy with this light stock.

Ohmygod, I just turned into a "senior". Last week at Burger King, I almost slapped some pimply-faced little poop for asking if I was eligible for a senior discount.

[glenn asher]

None of mine have lightening holes, Lee. My three, and those of my friends (four or five) are all solid forearms. If you're talking about those compartments in the forearm, yep, you can add shot for additional weight, but you'd have to lug it around, which is counter-productive, at least for a deer rifle. If you plan to shoot PDs with it, it would certainly help, though.
I don't think I'd fill them in, yet, try it and see how it feels with that nice soft pad, first. That pad is pretty nice, and will take most of the sting out of anything, anyway. I've been mulling over getting one for my .25/06, but it doesn't kick badly enough to bother with, at present