[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.