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1:8 for .223 AI?

Jim B in CO

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 4, 2010
54
7
Colorado
I'm thinking of buying a (used) bolt action rifle for sale locally. It's chambered in .223 AI and supposedly has a 1:8 twist barrel. Is this "fast enough?" for long range shooting? (The reason I'd be looking to replace my 'regular' .223 bolt rifle.) Should I be looking to use the heaviest bullets possible with a 1:7 twist?
 
1/8 will work for 75gr bullets down to 50gr vmax should suit you fine.
 
I use 80 ELD-M with a 1:8" twist barrel in .223 AI. It will stabilize any 80 grain bullet.
 
I would go 1/7 if you’re planning on shooting anything heavier than the 80s.
 
What's the (approximate) limit of 80s?

I recently used my .223 AI in a PRS club match. There was a 24" square at 1,230 yards. We had to take 4 shots at it. Myself and one other shooter were the only ones to hit it 4/4 out of all the competitors. The wind was very low which helped even the playing field between the big guns and my pee shooter.
 
I recently used my .223 AI in a PRS club match. There was a 24" square at 1,230 yards. We had to take 4 shots at it. Myself and one other shooter were the only ones to hit it 4/4 out of all the competitors. The wind was very low which helped even the playing field between the big guns and my pee shooter.
What bullet? What velocity are you getting?
 
I'm running a 1/8 with 80 grain amax's. Stabilized them fine at 2500 fps during fireforming. Now I'm running them over 2800 out of a 16" barrel. Have only had ot out to 700 but I think it would handle 1000 pretty easily.
 
24" barrel 1-8" ROT
Lapua brass
24.4gr of xbr8208
80gr ELDM
2970fps

shoots in the .3's for 5 rd groups, hit out to 1200 so far.
I use this setup in local matches to save money.
it is not fast enough to stabilize the new 88gr ELD's, throws fliers.
 
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24" barrel 1-8" ROT
Lapua brass
24.4gr of xbr8208
80gr ELDM
2970fps

shoots in the .3's for 5 rd groups, hit out to 1200 so far.
I use this setup in local matches to save money.
it is not fast enough to stabilize the new 88gr ELD's, throws fliers.

I went with 1:7.....I may have to give those 88s a try.
 
24" barrel 1-8" ROT
Lapua brass
24.4gr of xbr8208
80gr ELDM
2970fps

shoots in the .3's for 5 rd groups, hit out to 1200 so far.
I use this setup in local matches to save money.
it is not fast enough to stabilize the new 88gr ELD's, throws fliers.
Matt is your rifle a 223 or 223AI
 
Yeah the RDF's haven't done well for me, I keep hoping someone else will figure out how to make the 22 cals shoot.
 
I have a white oaks armament upper with a Kriegar barrel with 1.77 close enough Shoots just about anything well
 
My 7.7t puts 80vlds out at 3080 and shoots tiny groups . 23” Barrel , My daughter used it at her 1st club match and went 5 for 7 at 1k with about 1.5 mils of wind on an 18” square.First time she had shot beyond 100 yards.
Push those 80s out fast and they really perform
And with zero recoil
 
My 7.7t puts 80vlds out at 3080 and shoots tiny groups . 23” Barrel , My daughter used it at her 1st club match and went 5 for 7 at 1k with about 1.5 mils of wind on an 18” square.First time she had shot beyond 100 yards.
Push those 80s out fast and they really perform
And with zero recoil
It’s almost cheating they shoot so good. Have a 700 22-250 with a krieger 26” barrel with a .249 throat. Have to turn necks but worth it. Have shot 3 shot in on hole several times but can’t seem to make it 4 or 5. Still working on it. Thanks
 
It’s almost cheating they shoot so good. Have a 700 22-250 with a krieger 26” barrel with a .249 throat. Have to turn necks but worth it. Have shot 3 shot in on hole several times but can’t seem to make it 4 or 5. Still working on it. Thanks
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My two rifles with krieger barrels
 
Yeah the RDF's haven't done well for me, I keep hoping someone else will figure out how to make the 22 cals shoot.

Specifically the 85's?

I ask because I shoot the 70's in two different rifles that have shot very well. Both 1/9s.
 
Specifically the 85's?

I ask because I shoot the 70's in two different rifles that have shot very well. Both 1/9s.
Not specifically. I had a hard time with the 70's and eventually gave up on them. So now I'm leery about trying the 85's until I hear more peoples experience.
 
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I run 80 amax and Berger vids out of my 2, 223ai's. My 20" connects on a 10x13 plate at 1170 no problems when the wind cooperates. 1-8 on both of them