Gunsmithing 223 Ackley Barrel length

[cast1]

So I’m building a 223 ackley for plinking and coyotes. I’m having trouble settling on a barrel length. It’s a trued Remington setup with a 7 twist Kreiger sendero. I will probably run a can. Would 24” be a good compromise between maneuverability and velocity, maybe 22”? Y’all have any thoughts?

 

[Ndbowhunter]

with a can i'd go 20"

ping dogsniper he got good velocity with a shorty.

 

[coachtech]

I have a 7 twist 22", Sending 77smk/tmk a little over 3000 fps. My 8 twist 20" 223rem 2850.

I am Going to try a 22" carbon for hunting suppressed. I'll know if I like the length in couple months of use. Good Luck!

 

[superde]

22" would probably work. My first 20" 223AI would shoot 80 grains Amaxs at 3000 with suppressor. My current 24" tops out at 2970 FWIW.

 

[wyliecoyote]

I'm putting together the exact same thing for the exact same reasons and went with a 26" Proof CF. It'll be suppressed too. Those two activities (plinking/coyote hunting) are best enjoyed in wide open spaces so to me, maneuverability is an after thought at best. The whole reason for going with an Ackley is velocity. Why cut yourself short in that regard?

 

[RogueTanker]

My old 22" 223AI was shooting 88s at 2840. Lots of freebore though and on the spicy side. Shot great though.

 

[steve101610]

I get 3050 FPS with 75 elds out of my 20”. Could get more but the accuracy and sd/es at 3050 is awesome. Mine has the .061 freebore so I cant seat them very long. My next 223ai will probably be a 22-24” proof Carbon with a longer freebore to run the 88 eld.

 

[Baron85]

I just cut my 22” down to 16” went from 3288 to 3060 with 55gn ballistic tips