Driftrider

Perhaps you need to update your loading data. I have the most recent Barnes, Nosler and Speer manuals and 5th Hornady manual.

According to the Barnes manual their max load for their 40gr VLC is 31gr of H335 at 3932fps with a 24" barrel. My 700 has a 26" Heavy barrel and I use magnum primers which is recommended for this powder by my Speer manual.

Barnes, Nosler and Hornady have 40gr bullets over 3800fps, the Nosler and Barnes with 24" barrels. The coated bullets I use are capable of higher velocities with lower pressures. My 700 action is more than strong enough to handle a 40gr coated bullet with as much H335 as I can stuff in the case. My cases look fine and my primers are not popped out and there is hardly any recoil.

My velocities are estimates going by what my actual drop is and what the trajectory tables in my books say the velocity should be for those drops. It would not surprise me if a chrony showed my velocity to be close to my estimate. Why would I want to go to a 22-250 or 220 swift when I can get similar velocities out of my .223 with less powder and cheaper brass?