Gunsmithing .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

[biglou13]

building a .223 on stiller action

thinking about going short 21" maybe shorter, straight taper to .925

chance are wont shoot past 500y planning on loading 70 amax 1 in 8

any reason to go shorter? or not? say 18"

why are barrels always in even number legnth? why not 19"

wylde or tight chamber?

 

[van]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

There is nothing wrong a 21" barrel.I started with a 28" barrel on a .223 AI. The rifle shot well to 1150 yards.I had it cut down to 21 3/4".That was at the 1" dia. on the barrel.The barrel is a Kreiger heavy varmint taper.If I did it over again,I would use a heavy palma taper.I can't answer on the chamber.

BTW-The rifle shoots well!

van

 

[pj68]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

BIGLOU,
I had randy build me a 20" 223 with a Rock heavy fluted barrel. Works well for me. It shoots the 75 and 69 grainers well. I have taken it out to 650 yards so far. I shot it with texgal at her range. First time out with rifle and to her range. with a bal. program i scored a first round hit at 650 after a 100 and 200 yard zero.
As for going short... i have no problem what so ever.

SOTA

 

[42769vette]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

i have a 16" barrel on one of my ars and its the most used gun i own. just a plain jane open sighted ar. i keep it in the tractor with me for coyotes so the 16" barrel is easier to swing. plus it has a colapsable stock so it gets pretty short.

 

[LS6TT]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

bullet specs? 223 out to 1150 yards? what kind of grouping that seems awfully far

 

[van]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LS6TT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bullet specs? 223 out to 1150 yards? what kind of grouping that seems awfully far </div></div>

I have used the:75 gr.AMAX,80 gr.AMAX,80 gr.Berger VLD,82 gr.Berger BT and the 80 gr. Sierra BTHP.

The Sierra bullet has performed the best.So far.I tested that bullet to 900 yards.I couldn't be happier with the accuracy.I will try it soon to 1000 and 1150.At 900 best group was 6.5".
I'm pushing the bullet pretty hard.(2923fps)


The next best was the Berger 80 VLD.I have shot that one the most.It has been tough tuning the load for this one.Shot it to 1150 8 out of 10 on an 18"x8" steel target.Also performed to 1000 the best.9 out of 10 on a 10"x10" steel target.Did ok at 600 too.(2850 fps)

The best 600 yard group was with the 75 AMAX.That was 2.25"(5 shot).The load used for that is lousy as 1000.(2700 fps)

The other bullets used were ok.the 82 Berger shows promise.I'm liking the results of the 80 Sierras the most though.Also for the cost of 400 Berger bullets,I can get 500 Sierras here locally.

Most of the shooting was done at Thunder Valley in Ohio.Tom Sarver here on the Hide is the owner of that range.The other testing has been done in local matches and ranges around my house.

Its hard to believe I had this rifle put together for my 11 year old daughter to get her started in shooting longer distances.She does not want to shoot it.Wife wants nothing to do with it.It turned in to one of my favorites.

van


Biglou-Good luck with your decision on the barrel length.A 16-20" barrel works fine.I guess it depends what you want to do with it.

 

[762frmafr]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

i would do a 1-7 twist just in case you want to shoot the heavies. it won't affect the accuracy of the lighter bullets and it is there "just in case"

 

[van]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

I'm using a 1 in 8 twist barrel.Works fine for 50-82 grain bullets.

van

 

[AK10mm]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

Gotta laugh about this Van,my favorite was built for my niece,again,she is not even interested in it.Now it has become my favorite rifle,a 16" bbl and deadly accurate.

 

[biglou13]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

Van and sandrat can you send me pics of short barrel rifles

 

[LS6TT]

Re: .223 barrel opinions for new build, short barrel ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: van</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LS6TT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bullet specs? 223 out to 1150 yards? what kind of grouping that seems awfully far </div></div>

I have used the:75 gr.AMAX,80 gr.AMAX,80 gr.Berger VLD,82 gr.Berger BT and the 80 gr. Sierra BTHP.

The Sierra bullet has performed the best.So far.I tested that bullet to 900 yards.I couldn't be happier with the accuracy.I will try it soon to 1000 and 1150.At 900 best group was 6.5".
I'm pushing the bullet pretty hard.(2923fps)


The next best was the Berger 80 VLD.I have shot that one the most.It has been tough tuning the load for this one.Shot it to 1150 8 out of 10 on an 18"x8" steel target.Also performed to 1000 the best.9 out of 10 on a 10"x10" steel target.Did ok at 600 too.(2850 fps)

The best 600 yard group was with the 75 AMAX.That was 2.25"(5 shot).The load used for that is lousy as 1000.(2700 fps)

The other bullets used were ok.the 82 Berger shows promise.I'm liking the results of the 80 Sierras the most though.Also for the cost of 400 Berger bullets,I can get 500 Sierras here locally.

Most of the shooting was done at Thunder Valley in Ohio.Tom Sarver here on the Hide is the owner of that range.The other testing has been done in local matches and ranges around my house.

Its hard to believe I had this rifle put together for my 11 year old daughter to get her started in shooting longer distances.She does not want to shoot it.Wife wants nothing to do with it.It turned in to one of my favorites.

van


Biglou-Good luck with your decision on the barrel length.A 16-20" barrel works fine.I guess it depends what you want to do with it.

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twist rate? and are you hand loading? what are the specs on your load? very interested to know this that is outstanding range