.223 long throat vs .223AI ?

[squirrel_slayer]

been doing some reading for my future build and now having second thoughts about caliber choice. I was pretty dead set on .223ai but now wondering if just a long throated .223 would suit my needs and not require fire forming cases, new dies, ect..

here's what I do know. I'm gonna run a 1:8 twist barrel 22-26" long and 75gr a-max's are the bullet of choice. this is going to be a low budget practice/training rifle to learn long range shooting. i'm sure most shooting will be 300-600yds but would like to work my way out to the 1000yd mark as I get better.

here's how I see it.

.223 long throat
Pro's:
use existing equipment, dies, ect..
added powder capacity/velocity from added coal
no fireforming necessary
cases feed better

Con's
100+fps slower than .223AI
have to trim necks
may not shoot other bullet weights well due to jump

.223AI
Pro's
added powder capacity/velocity
little to no neck trimming needed
gain 100+fps over .223 long throat
versital over a wide bullet weight range

Con's
have to fireform cases
have to purchase another die set
possible case feeding not as smooth

sell me guys. which one would you go with?

 

[blackblue]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

Im running a 223AI, havent had any feeding issues in aics mags and fire forming is non issue to me since it is accurate with them I can still hunt/paper punch with it. No way around needing dies though.

 

[Scoop]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

I'm interested to see the response here too. What are you calling a long throat? What COL are you looking for with the 75 AMAX's?

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

Go with the ai IF you'll be pushing it out to 1K. You can get better ballistics than a 308 when pushing the 75 grainers, with no recoil what so ever. I'm a big fan of the 223ai. Dies aren't that much so it's a moot point.

Somewhere around 27 grains of Varget behind a 75 grainer and you're set.

 

[squirrel_slayer]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scoop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm interested to see the response here too. What are you calling a long throat? What COL are you looking for with the 75 AMAX's? </div></div>

a .223 chamber with .100+" of freebore with a coal in the upper 2.4"-2.5" range.

 

[chrisj]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

The differnece in performance is no big deal..especially at 300 or less yards. I like the AI variant because I "HATE" trimming brass with a passion. I'd almost prefer to slam my Dick in a car door!

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

I have no idea what your are talking about when you say a .223 long throat?
There is no such reamer that I know of. Some of the more common reamers.

 

[gopherslayer]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

22-204. No fireforming and little more case capacity than AI. I really want to do one of these this next year.

 

[762frmafr]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

I did a 223Ai throated for the 90 grain VLD's at 2.51 COAL. 90's at 2800 80 A-Maxes at 2950. All from a 22" barrel. My GF makes hits to 1100 all day long. Zero recoil.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

I have a no turn but tight neck match 223 chamber(works great with LC and winchester brass but lapua needs to be turned down) that I can set Amax and VLD's out to 2.5ish COAL

I have only used varget powder to date and am pushing 80 grain bullets to 2800 and 75's about 2850ish. The barrel is a 7 twist rock creek 21.75" long.

 

[palma]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigwheeler</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I have no idea what your are talking about when you say a .223 long throat?
There is no such reamer that I know of. Some of the more common reamers.
</div></div>

You can get a reamer for what length of throat you want, notwithstanding that it may or may not be common. I have a .223 chambered with a throat length such that 80gr bergers touch the lands at a COAL of 2.500." I have another .223 single shot with a throat length such that 80gr bergers touch the lands at a COAL of 2.550." You won't find those reamers in any popular listing. Send PTG some loaded rounds with whatever COAL you want and they will grind the reamer to your rounds.

TO the original poster - why are you comparing apples and oranges? Why not a .223AI with a long throat? Super duper speed!

 

[el gordo2]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

I recently went through the same dilema and went with the 223AI and have never looked back.
Mine throated to run the 75/80gr Amax at a 2.530" OAL which just does squeeze into a AICS magazine. The 24" Rock 1:8 pushes them out at a tad over 3000fps with Varget into itty bitty groups.
Fire forming is not a problem, the regular 223 shoots well though the velocity is a bit slow. The cost of another set of dies is nill compared to the better performance of the AI round.

 

[Cegorach]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

I have been loving my .223 ai. The performance is good and the brass stability is phenomenal. As an FYI a standard Lee .223 collet die works great with the improved case.

 

[squirrel_slayer]

Re: .223 long throat vs .223AI ?

sold. i'll stick with the .223ai as I origonally planned. I see alot use lc brass. wouldn't win brass yeild a little more powder capacity/velocity?