.223 vs .223AI vs .223 Wylde

[Jinx703]

I currently have a Remington 700 sps in .223 1:9 twist.
I’m sending it out to have the barrel replaced and action trued.
The intent of the rifle is to better Learn precision rifle shooting and continue learning reloading and load development.
I want to stretch it’s legs. We’re going 26” barrel 1:7 twist. But I’m considering going AI or WYLDE.
Thoughts?

 

[backsideof45]

I did a 26" 7 twist wylde chamber and shot 85.5 bergers with great success.

 

[Lightning8]

I use a 26inch 1-7 223 Wylde with 80ELDMs and 80SMKs. Wylde allows you to load long. 223AI lets you put some more powder in case. For me regular 223 case in 223 Wyled loaded to 2.5 over TAC is a good combination.

 

[RFutch]

I did a 26" 7 twist wylde chamber and shot 85.5 bergers with great success.

What kind of velocity are you getting?

 

[Codiekfx400]

I am getting 2700 FPS with a 26” wylde and 88 eld

 

[Chickentoast]

Regular 223 with 20" 9 twist here and I have no issue in low/steady wind hitting at 1K with 75 eld-m. Just tried the 80 eld-m's a couple of weeks back and to my surprise, they also seem stable in my barrel. Not sure the extra velocity of the AI would be worth the trouble for me. Think I'd rather get a std bolt and do a 22 creed if I wanted to stretch it further and stick with 22 cal.

 

[MakeSawdust]

Pick your poison. Make sure the reamer will work with the bullets and magazines you want to use. I run a Criterion 223 Wylde 26" long as a trainer barrel on my TL3. It is a 7 twist. I shoot whatever is cheap and decent. I find it is not that difficult to shoot 800 yds (the furthest I have available at my local range) with 68 grain Hornadys. I have also shot some 75 grain Hornady bthp. With a 7 twist I am over 300k rpms and have had a few obvious bullet failures. They are normally after long strings of fire when the barrel is hot. It is just something to think about. If you are going to run 80+ grain bullets I would not shy away from a 7 twist. If you think you will run something fast enough to push over 300k rpms you could possibly have the occasional jacket failure.

 

[SporterII]

75’s in a straight 223 at 2900 were so good I am interested in revisiting that in retirement. A max those were and were excellent for in expensive bullets. Choose a bullet and case before you have a smith chamber for that specifically.

 

[Hoser]

I am a fan of the 223 Ackley.

Pushing 80 gn Sierra Matchkings to 3,000 - 3,100 isnt hard from a 26 inch barrel and Varget.

I have a bunch of 85 Bergers on the shelf, but have had little reason to try them when 80 Matchkings are doing so well. Maybe when I run out of them and am forced to change.

I fireform with corncob and pistol powder.

 

[SporterII]

Have me wondering if the 75ELDM is nearly as fairly consistent as the 75 Amax.

 

[Dogsniper]

I’m running a 223 Ackley with a 22” barrel
75 amax 3103
16” bartlien runs 75 amax at 2826

 

[Rob01]

Unless you need velocity for a reason then stick with the .223 Wylde chamber. Keep it simple.

Also if you ever plan to shoot PRS matches with it in Tac class you can but not with an AI.

 

[Dogsniper]

U

Unless you need velocity for a reason then stick with the .223 Wylde chamber. Keep it simple.

Also if you ever plan to shoot PRS matches with it in Tac class you can but not with an AI.

unless you fireform while shooting at the match

 

[Rob01]

I guess you could but even though you can get good accuracy while fireforming I wouldn’t shoot a match doing it.

 

[Dogsniper]

I guess you could but even though you can get good accuracy while fireforming I wouldn’t shoot a match doing it.

Not if I was serious about winning a match that’s for sure lol. But I’m a nobody that just likes to shoot

 

[Gustav7]

If you are looking to advance your reloading knowledge and expertise, then I think the Ackley Improved is the way to go. If you've never done an Ackley, I think its pretty cool to do it your first time. I'm sure like some guys on here, it gets a bit old after you've done 10+ fireform cartridges or improved wildcats, etc. But for the first time, it's something new and you learn more about reloading you other wise wouldn't.

I went 223AI for many reasons...
-It was my first 223 bolt gun, as I've always had AR's. So I wanted to do something new and fresh
-First time I've ever invested in Lapua brass
-First custom action
-First time doing an Ackley Improved

I may never do another Ackley again....but I doubt it. I'm loving this rifle so far. Either way I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[Gustav7]

Center stage:
.223 AI, 80 gr Berger VLD, 2740 FPS. 18" Kreiger 1:7, Rem 700, PTG bolt, HS Precision Pro Series M24 Tactical stock, Accurate Mag, PTG Stealth, Timney.
EXPERTLY assembled by Mike Johnson of Hells Canyon Armory just across the river, I cannot recommend more highly.
My paint...Duracoat, pseudo Riptile.
No problem hitting our 1.5" steel at 550 yards...I can do it between 8-10 out of 10. The misses are definitely me.
TBAC Ultra 7 does alter POI but not accuracy.
Also, fireforming brass is VERY accurate and repeatable. I would not hesitate to use that dope in any situation.

What are those little rods you have that are keeping each rifle steady against the ceiling of your gunsafe? Interesting Idea

 

[rothgyr]

I've got a .223 Wylde McGowen 26" barrel I'm working up loads for right now. Excellent accuracy at 23.0 gr of 8208 XBR and 75 ELDs. Pretty mild load, was getting me close to 2850ish. I've got a .260 AI and a .260 normal, and I'd have to say, I think going with Ackley as my first reloading experience was informative, but took a long time, with a lot of load development for two "different" rounds. My fireforms were accurate and had decent speed. If you've already been shooting long range for a while, and if you've already been reloading for your gun, I'd say do Ackley. If this is your first experience with reloading or shooting longer ranges, I'd say stick with Wylde.

FYI, if you go with Wylde/Ackley/long throated, don't use .223 Accurate Mags. I found out the hard way that they're for short AR15 length bullets. Go with MDT mags.

 

[diggler1833]

I remember when the. 223AI was all the rage here a decade ago. I bought a Remington 700 SPS Tactical to use as a starting point on my build...damn thing shot so well that it is still sitting in a safe with the factory barreled action.

My 1:9 barrel would not stabilize the 75gr A-MAX (all the rage back then too). It got better as I pushed harder, but I ran into pressure signs well before I got the accuracy I wanted. It does great with the 68 and 69gr stuff.

I think the .233 is a fantastic cartridge to learn precision rifle shooting on. I don't think that the AI is necessary to get you far out enough to really make a whole lot of difference. You can make it to 1K with a standard .223 or Wylde chambering with a 1:7 - 1:8 barrel.

When I shot a few service rifle matches back in the day, we utilized 20" barrels and the 80gr moly SMK (I'm showing my age) at the 1K yard line. You want to talk about a cartridge that is going to teach you to read wind...

 

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