Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

[ve2mbt]

i'am building a .223 out of a 700 remmy action, i will shoot 90% of the time on target, very few on varmint.
Max range for my new rifle is 300 yard, i'am looking for a accurate gun, what i need to know is :

-Is there something wrong with a 18in. heavy barrel ??

If NO,
- what twist rate you suggest and,
- bullet weight you suggest to use for a such short barrel

Thank's for yor help, i really appreciate

respectfully

Marc

 

[pupdawg]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

Nothing wrong with a heavy contour other than it being heavy. If you don't plan on carrying or shooting off hand at all then the weight isn't a problem.

As far as twist. 1/9 generally good for 40-62 gr bullets. 1/8 45-77 gr, and 1/7 55-80 gr maybe 90 gr. also.

Decide what bullet weight you want to use and go from there.

The weight of the bullet typically doesn't care how long or short your barrel is as much as the twist and how fast or slow you're able to push them.

Figure you have 16" AR15's shooting MOA with 77 gr handloads. That same barrel on a bolt gun should be able to tighten that up a little.

 

[Dirty D]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

Unless you use an incredibly slow burning powder a 20" barrel should do everything that you want to do.

 

[Roscoe_M4]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

I get good accuracy with everything from 45 gr Win white box HPs to 75 gr Hornady Match and TAP BTHPs with my 20" 1-9 LTR. The 69 FGMs and 75 Hornady BTHPs really shine from 100 to 500 yds.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

I'm building two of them right now, I cut 'em at 20. for the scenario you describe, I think you could go with an 18, and a 9 twist should be plenty for your needs.

 

[jagged77]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

Marc
I've got a 20" 1:9 twist Rem 700 Tactical mounted in an ACIS stock (with sound moderator). It will shoot accurately out to 500 yards (yet to shoot it further) with 69gr SMK's.

I'd suggest the 1:9 as a multipurpose twist rate as it will still shoot the lighter bullets too.

I must admit for hunting though my Rem 700 is bit of a weight to lug about - I tend to set up and shoot from a fixed position. I've also got a Browning A-bolt sporter cut back to 18". Its a 1:12 twist that loves 50gr V-max. It's spectacular on small game and highly accurate.

 

[ve2mbt]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

thank's all for your help,
i think i can make it then, we see a lot of .308 here with 18in barrel but not that much in .223, probably because you are allowed to walk free with AR-15 but in canada, it is quite trouble, not impossible to own, but hard to use and we will never be alloed to hunt with it.

Anyway, i fell in love with a rifle on this site, i will go and make one that will look about the same, i have imported 2 remmy action from brownells in .223 and one will look like that

Here is the rifle i'am talking

thank's all for your help

Marc
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jjmcrowell</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

</div></div>

 

[jagged77]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

You'll not go far wrong with that set up. Here's mine that I mentioned. The Browning is VERY quiet!

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

I have an 18" 1/7 barrel on my ar15 and it was easy hits at 500 with 69SMK

 

[seddo]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

Marc,

I picked up a secondhand Rem VS in 223 and had it cut down to 18". Its the factory twist heavy barrel. I have just started load development so i can commend too much on the loss of accuracy but there is only a small velocity loss.

 

[FequalsMA]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

I suggest you go with a 1/8 twist and try the 69SMK right from the start. If your barrel doesn't love that bullet then try something a little heavier.

 

[Moose]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

Im running a rock creek 8 twist at 20 inches Rem Varmint contour in 223AI and it shoots very nice with 50gr Vmax and 75gr Amax.

 

[elkkid3]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

I think 18-20" is fine.

 

[savage110]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuntinAZ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think 18-20" is fine. </div></div>
same, on a bolt .223, id probably get a sps T and have it chopped to 18.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Your thinking for .223 barrel lenght please

Id go 22" Heavy Varmint with an 8 or 7 twist, for this reason. If you ever find another place to shoot longer than 300 you will be glad that you have the extra little barrel length. The 7-8 twist will allow you to run the 75 AMAX and heavier bullets that do better out long, also with the barrel length it will give you a tad tad bit more speed. Id look for a Bartlein or Krieger 7 or 8 twist and finish it @ 22"