[LTRDavid]

I just finished this build. The specs are;
Remington 788, the original barrel was a .223
Douglas 1-11 twist barrel chambered in a Todd Kindler 20 VarTarg dimensioned for Lapua brass (221 Fireball)
Harrells Brake
Timney 1.5 lb. Trigger
Boyd Stock (second grade from eBay)
Cerakote Vortex Bronze and Micro Slick on the bolt
I polished the striker and replaced the sticker spring.
Trued the receiver face and had my local machine shop surface grind the recoil lug.

Next steps, develop a load. I have 32 gr V-Max and 35 gr Berger FB Varmint Bullets and AA2200, N120, and H335 powder to work with.

Questions and comments welcomed.

 

[George Foster]

Should be a shooter! I love the 788's, wish I had more. In my opinion it is hard to beat the Boyd Stocks especially for the price.

 

[LTRDavid]

Moving on to load development. I loaded up 3 rounds to check out the rifle and to pressure check the max load. Specs are: 32 gr V-Max, N120, new Lapua brass. I think the pic pretty well details out the rest of the story. Oh yeah, I think the gun is going to be a shooter - all three rounds went into the same hole! Oh and I should mention I have a XP-100 20 VarTarg build in the queue, so I’m going to try one load that will work in both guns, that’s why the N120.

 

[Blackpaw]

@LTRDavid I assume for your grouping you were at a 100 yards? And by the way that is a beautiful looking rifle.

 

[LTRDavid]

At the range this morning. Report to soon follow…

 

[LTRDavid]

@LTRDavid I assume for your grouping you were at a 100 yards? And by the way that is a beautiful looking rifle.

No, no that was a joke. The “same hole” was in the bullet trap. Sorry. Trying to be funny.

 

[LTRDavid]

Here is the best load I came up with;
18.0 gr N-120, 1.937” COAL, (.001” off the lands), 32 gr V-Max, 3650 fps
Of course I’ll want to see what kind of results higher temps will produce, but at this point I can say the rifle is performing as expected. Next l have some A2200 and Berger 35 gr FB to try.

 

[LTRDavid]

Here is an update on this project. First of all, I just really enjoy this rifle / cartridge. Regarding the load I worked-up. Ask I suspected, 18.0 gr of N-120 worked fine at sub 90 F temps but I had to back down to 17.7 gr to get a load that was not too hot at 105 F. This a pic from my PD shoot last week.

 

[George Foster]

As I may have said in the past, I love the 788's and Boyd Stocks. They all seem to be shooters.

 

[LTRDavid]

Here is what an 18.0 gr load of N-120 looks like at 105 F temp.

Can you say incipient case head separation? 😳

 

[WadeMod]

Here is what an 18.0 gr load of N-120 looks like at 105 F temp.
View attachment 31324

Can you say incipient case head separation? 😳

Ooh not good. Try some aa1680, not so temperature sensitive.

 

[LTRDavid]

Thanks Wade, I appreciate the input. I am happy with the performance at 17.7 gr. I’ll just save the 18.0 gr loads as my spring time ammo.

 

[WadeMod]

Seeing your posts has me excited for my pd hunt in a few weeks. I'll get to try my test loads on the heat. The new 221FB trials has me on aa#9 with 40gr VMax mollies with just an 18" barrel.

 

[CTKenagen]

I believe you've found the red line with that load. And maybe a tad beyond red line........

 

[LTRDavid]

During the hottest part of the day I drove around picking off the few PD’s that would show themselves, shooting off the tail gate. Or I would put on my daypack and take a short hike Shooting off a tripod. When I would find a really good spot I’d setup the bench and pop-canopy and go back there before sunup the next day to catch the dogs as they came up at first sunlight. I must say I really enjoyed being on the prairie and watch the sunrise.