700p Ltr .223

[Tack]

Anyone here purchase a new 700P LTR in .223 lately? I had one in for awhile NIB, and when I finally got around to shooting it, it was horrible accuracy wise. I hear mixed reports of them and wondering if the newer ones (mine was made in the early 90's and sat in the safe until 3-4 years ago... then sold shortly after) are any better? I love my 700P in .308 but really want a .223 bolt action preferably the LTR since it is so light and compact.

[WalterGA]

How much experimenting with different bullet weights and loads did you do with the .223? I'm surprised to hear that the accuracy was "lousy."

[Tack]

10-15 different loads. I would have to find the log I had for it. I know most of it was 52gr, 69gr, and 75gr. Used Varget and H335 for various loads. Still didn't group for crap. Combat accuracy. Not precision. A lot of it was the fact that the damn barrels are set out so far. That really screwed with the powder loads. I stay in the min-max load data published. I should have had the barrel set back. I think I am going to order another one and try that. I have a 700P 26" .308 and it works great. Sub-MOA with 175 SMKs loaded to mag length. Love that gun and that load. I don't shoot anything else out of it anymore and I still get a **** eating grin every time I take it with me to the range.

[WalterGA]

Did you seat the bullets as close to the lands as possible? I have a .223 VS, and it's a tackdriver. Got the trigger set at about 1#, and it's shot a bunch of groups in the low 2s.