6.8 SPC build underway on 70's era Remy 700 BDL...

I know what you mean. I have a .25-06 with a sporter profile barrel that I load pretty hot, and if I shoot a 3 shot group with it without waiting between shots, the barrel will get almost too hot too hold on to for very long. That's why the .25-06 doesn't make a great target round.

That's a problem you won't have with your 6.8 ;)

I have an M77 mark II target .223 that I'm considering rebarreling, that's why I'm paying close attention to your build. I've never had a rifle that was just dedicated to target shooting, that's why I think I need one ;) the 6.8 is a good cartridge, but at the moment I'm leaning toward either a faster twist .223 or a 6mm-.223 wildcat.
 
I have a 6 X 233 SSK Contender barrel, so it was an option earlier on in this build... actually correct headstamp cases are in stock at Midway ( I didn't look at dies, as I already have them )

I also have a vintage heavy barrel ( slow twist ) Remy 700 in 223, that's really accurate with 50 grain bullets... I thought it might have been shot out, since I think it's one my FIL used to take out west P-dogging... if it didn't group, it would have gotten a fast twist, but it shoots good enough, that it'll stay as built... for now anyway...

BTW... if you're looking for those brass cases, the manufacturer also makes a 6.5 X 223, & of course a 7mm ( I have the 6 & 7 mm Contender barrels ) & making cases isn't as fun as shooting them... had I known that correct headstamp cases were available, I'd have gone that route a long time ago...

BTW #2... my Sako extractor ( needed for the PTG bolt ) & my bolt handle knob, showed up last Friday... bolt will still be out 4-5 weeks yet... also I waited for funds too long on the barrel, from Brownell's so it's back ordered... but I expect it here likely before the custom bolt shows up...
 
I have a Remmy 700 in 6.8 that was reamed to SPCII when I got it. Great hunting rig, last season my 2 fav loads were 95 gr Barnes TTSX and 100 gr Accubonds both at 3000+ fps mv. Have not played with 120s or higher yet. Should get a decent load as you can load longer than for an AR15 platform. Nothing wrong with a 1/10 twist in a bolt gun (or an AR15) as long as it is a SPCII chamber.
 
thanks for the load tips... I haven't been thinking about loads much yet... this is a longer term build than I'm used to, as I have to wait for the custom bolt to be built... plus the wallet has several projects it's funding all at the same time... normally I just buy the parts, drop the parts off at my machinist buddy's, expecting to wait several weeks, & he calls me a couple days later to come pick it up...

... so I expect to have this done by the time snow flies, & look at starting to load for it over the winter...
 
Whoo Hoo... my bolt showed up today... straight handle & spiral fluting... she's pretty... I got the Sako extractor parts, & the knurled bolt knob, a couple weeks back ( the only option for extractors in the caliber for the 700 from PTG )...

now if Brownells would get my back ordered #5 stainless contoured barrel in, my buddy could get busy...
 
right now I'm planning on re-contouring the original stock for the heavier contour of the new barrel... the original is decent, & has the Ebony fore end, & grip cap
 
seems like this project is taking FOR EVER... but I finally got notice yesterday, that my stainless match barrel blank shipped yesterday... I should have it today or tomorrow...

now I'll order my 6.8 SPC-2 reamer ( was spending the money elsewhere, while I was waiting for the barrel ) should only be 3 weeks or so now, until the rifle is finished :) might get a chance to get a scope on it, & sight it in at least... maybe before the snow flies
 
to fill in the time frame... I waited too long, & the reamers were out of stock... had to wait a couple months before I was finally able to get one...

picked up my rifle today... can't wait to get a scope on it ( unfortunately, it's like 4th in line for a good scope, so it may take till spring... but with this abusive winter weather, that'll be fine with me )

a couple issues we had...

1st... lead times on everything, was way longer than on any project I've done in the past...

feeding... the rifle being originally in 22-250, required a replacement bolt, which was in stock from PTG, magazine box, which I bought from Gun Parts Corp, as a surplus Remington stainless box... but it also required a different mag spring & follower... I had an extra from a previous custom 700 project ( 17 Remington to 17 Fireball ) so I brought in the 17 Remington follower & mag spring, & had some feed issues ( you may have seen my thread looking for a "better" mag spring ) the Remington springs are angled down at both ends, which when put in a flat box mag door, angles the follower down & the 3rd round would never feed... so I did a search, & bought 4-5 different box mag springs for 223, including a new Remington spring... the new Remington spring looked just like my 17 spring, & offered no fix... right now the box holds a Savage spring & follower & the gun feeds fine if cycled a little slower... I also have a Ruger spring on the 17 Remington follower that I'll try when I'm actually firing the rifle & will choose the best of those two...

the barrel profile is much heavier than the stock 22-250 barrel, so I had to have the stock re contoured... now it looks like it was made that way, except for the stainless barrel on the blued action... the spiral fluted bolt looks awesome, & fit like a glove...

I have weaver bases on the receiver, & no scope yet... I'm still wrestling with putting a more solid Leupold style base & rings, or leaving the weaver bases on the gun ???

also I don't have a scope for it yet... thinking a variable power 12 or 16 power

really busy right now, but will try to get a pic up in the next couple days...
 
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I'm still following this thread since I got hooked on the 6.8 round. Love that little round lol. Have you decided what loads you are going to experiment with?
 
I've got one box of factory rounds we used for cycling & chambering, that I'll sight in with, & hopefully get a benchmark group with... after that I haven't decided on anything yet... my barrel is longer than the typical AR, so even powder selection will likely be different than "most" are loading... I'll have till spring to pour over the load books & internet for options...

BTW... I have a Contender rifle length barrel as well ( hoping I can find a load will work equally well in either )

if you don't mind... what are you loading in your rifle ???
 
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