Is it worth shortening a .223 1:12 twist barrel to ~14.5"-16"?

[Frankr]

Put my truck gun project on hold last year and am finally getting around to it.


Around it about the only decent price rifles in .223 are Howa's which have 1:12 twists.


I want to shorten the barrel to 14.5" and pin & weld my QD mount onto it to take it to 16"

2 questions

1. with a 1:12 twist and 14.5" barrel how heavy would you guess I could go with bullets (i.e. 55gr, 50, 45, etc...)

2. It seems that the varmint barrel and compact rifle are quite prevalent, should I go with the heavy or light profile (if it has enough meat)?


Main uses will be for a truck/ATV rifle that can bounce around and still be pretty accurate and handy


Thanks

 

[Boxcar]

I would think at 14.5" you would fall under SBR rules.

 

[Boxcar]

Not with a pined/soldered device that brings it back to 16


Jt

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Learned something new today.

 

[mark5pt56]

I would save up, get a tighter twist barrel and have it at 16.1" That way you aren't limited on bullets. And don't have to spend money on pin/weld and can always take off the muzzle device if need be.

 

[Wildcard777]

I have the same question.. I have a Remington 700 chambered in 223 with a 26 inch barrel 1/12 twist my bullet of choice is the Hornady Vmax 53gr if I were to cut my barrel down to 16 inches would that be enough twist to stabilize that bullet and maintain accuracy?

 

[Haney]

I have the same question.. I have a Remington 700 chambered in 223 with a 26 inch barrel 1/12 twist my bullet of choice is the Hornady Vmax 53gr if I were to cut my barrel down to 16 inches would that be enough twist to stabilize that bullet and maintain accuracy?

You may want to start a new thread , this thread died over 3600 days ago . You will get more exposure starting your own .

Slow twist and short barrel can work fine , just have to use the right weight bullet .