I like your project Buzzsaw. I like 223 bolt guns. Defiance is a good action. If you find a donor action at the right price, a blue printed SA 700 makes a nice platform with a proven track record to build on, regardless of all the haters on this forum. Knowing you want to shoot 69 and 77 SMK’s I would go with an 8 twist. Knowing the Volume limitations of the 223, I would use barrel length to help generate velocity and go with a minimum of 24”. Keep us posted. I will be following to see what you end up with.

If it were me, I would buy a Remington SPS at Walmart, send it to LRI to have it worked over and then have a good smith spin a Brux or Bartlein barrel on it. Tons of great stocks and bottom metal already available for the Remington action, or you can just go ADL if you want a clean look.

That is just me though.

If you just have to go custom, then get an ARC Nucleus.

You don't really need a custom Action. Just a darn good barrel. I proved that a few years ago to myself, with a used Savage action, in the Savage plastic stock, and a properly head spaced good quality Benchmark barrel.
The guy that sold me the barrel did not headspace it correctly. When I showed him the resulting target... well, I guess he learned something from it. 4 rounds, one basic hole. .22BR

But for sure, you need to have a darn good bench setup and scope. I know you got the scopes LOL!

OTOH, its cool to have a custom action, and in that sense I say go for it !

I was never a fan of of high grain weight bullets, fast twist in .223 that is a military throwback. get the proper round to shoot 70ish grains.

If you're going to run an 8 twist why not jump to a 80gr? The 80 eld and Berger vld are what I run in my 223ai much better tool than the 69 or 77's are.

Because Buzz doesn't listen

24” plus suppressor? Sounds terrible buzz

Just because I'm curious....if you already have that BadA 22 Creedmoor that is capable of shooting those same heavy 22 cal bullets but with much more authority, why would you want an expensive 223 to go with it? Seems like if you have the Mustang GT in the garage why would you buy a second one with a V6? Not that I care though, I hope to purchase one of those finer than frog hair Buzz rifles in one of the fire sales in the future.

The 2 calibers serve 2 purposes imo. The creed is a laser of a hunting gun whole the 223 is a pleasure to shoot in long string target situations.

Dee has it right
i would defin try 80's in the .223

Dee, I agree in theory but Buzz isn't going to shoot the 223 either. He just likes the thrill of buying/building something new.

this is definitely partly true, in fact the .22 Creed may be back up on the hit list

Buy this and be done with it.

https://www.eurooptic.com/Tikka-T3x-Varmint-223-Rem-Like-New-Demo-Rifle-JRTXH312.aspx

^^That's right!

100%! Love mine, it shoots tacks with anything I put in it. Be hard pressed to really see any shooting difference compared against a full custom.

Yep! A superb gunsmith that has built many rifles for us on THF bought one of these. When I asked him if he was going to rebarrel it he said "no, it just shoots so good as it is." Now that is as good as a testament as you are going to get.

The other positive Buzz is you will get a higher % return on your investment if you buy the Tikka and then decide to sell it. Think about the money lost each time you build a custom and then turn around and sell it.

When he sells it* not if. Buzz, buy the tikka, and I’ll buy it for $500 in 6 months.

but he makes it up in volume

I posted that link for him on another one of these threads of his. He turned it down then.

Buzz, how about this. Build a 7-08 AI off a Tikka with a McMillan stock, upgraded bottom metal, with a NF on top, and then I will take it off your hands in 6 months at a nice discount.

Just let Buzz be Buzz. He likes to build rifles. He's not hurting anyone, in fact he gives out some great deals when he moves on to the next one.

what colors do y'all want the Cerakote?

Stock
Action

it will wear a Proof Carbon barrel.

I can handle that for you, but not with the Buzz discount.

Oh I'm working on it. I was just hoping to shortcut the process and get a discount at the same time. I need to have beers with Buzz sometime.

I've drank beer with Buzz, he's good at it.

Movie is
"In The Can"

stay tuned

Great, I'll pick it up September 9th, Buzz.