Range Report Short barreled .223/.223AI

[Bevan]

Anyone played with a short .223 or .223AI bolt action, 18" or so

I want to build one with a suppressor, and I want it short for ease of use in vehicles etc... Suppressor will add 4" or so, so 18-20" is as long as I'd like to go with the barrel for compactness

What sorts of speeds am I looking at with 69/75 gr bullets? 100-150fps off 24" is what I am thinking

 

[SuperSeal110]

Re: Short barreled .223/.223AI

I have a 21" and running 3050fps w/75g Amax.

 

[paraman1]

Re: Short barreled .223/.223AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SuperSeal110</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a 21" and running 3050fps w/75g Amax. </div></div>

Is that a .223 or .223AI ? Would you mind divulging your load data ?

 

[SuperSeal110]

Re: Short barreled .223/.223AI

.223ai.

26.7g R15
Winchester casings
CCI 450's.

80*

I have a 22" .223ai that does 3050fps w/the following.

26.2g R15
Lapua casings
CCI 450's.

 

[paraman1]

Re: Short barreled .223/.223AI

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SuperSeal110</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.223ai.

26.7g R15
Winchester casings
CCI 450's.

80*

I have a 22" .223ai that does 3050fps w/the following.

26.2g R15
Lapua casings
CCI 450's.

</div></div>

Thanks for the info . I have a 20 inch .223 bolt gun that I am gonna be testing the 75 AMAX out in and then setting the barrel back and rechmambering it in .223AI (Thats the plan anyway) to see what gains I can make over the .223 .

 

[Downzero]

Re: Short barreled .223/.223AI

Why not use 22-250 or .220 Swift? If you want performance in a tiny package, it'd seem like you can squeeze more from that.

Obviously .223 and .223AI have cheaper brass, though.

 

[223ai]

Re: Short barreled .223/.223AI

Cheaper brass, almost equal performance to 22-250, less powder, much better barrel life, etc...etc...That's why I went 223ai, twice.