Shorty 223AI Builds

[NHPiper]

So @WillHugh and I sent out 223AI barreled actions to get turned down to 18" and profiled for OCM5/AEM5 suppressors. The goal was to build intermediate range, low recoil, bolt guns that bridged the gap between Mk12 gas guns and 6.5CM capabilities. If velocities of 2850fps with 80gr ELDs are achieved, the guns are transonic to 750-800 yards and supersonic past 1000.

The 223AI of mine was cut down from 24" to 18". I was running 25.6gr of Varget in Winchester brass behind Hornady 80gr ELDM and 80gr Amax. Velocity prior to the cut was 2950fps and it shot clovers at 100 yards.

Got the barreled actions back yesterday although my Manners TF3A is still with the gunsmith being inleted for a Badger EFR, so I put it in a spare Manners EH2. I did learn that I needed to dremel out the front of the Accurate metal mags to get clearance for the 80gr Amax bullets whereas the plastic MDTs have always had room.

The range trips today was promising! The rifle shot around 1/2 MOA, with 2 of the 5-shot groups a clover leaf around under .4" at 100 yards. Velocity averaged 2803fps at 87'F. The surprise for me was how high the SD was at 17. The translates to an ES of 57fps, or about 0.5 mils at 1000 yards. At 500 yards, this load is about 2.7mils of elevation and about 9.7 mils at 1000 yards.

Since I have about 60 rounds left, I plan to shoot the rest and then try some StaBall Match was had great results in my Mk12 and my Dad's .223 bolt gun. I am hoping the SD can tighten up to high single digits with velocity in the high 2800s.

Will has his rifle setup in a sweet Manners T5 and unlike me, his OCM5 isn't in NFA jail, so the rifle looks amazing.

These promise to be relatively lightweight and fun guns, looking forward to stretching them over the summer and during some night shoots.

 

[Obi-WanKannoli]

Looks awesome

 

[Anb618]

I’ve had this photo saved on my phone forever. It was posted for sale here a few years ago and birthed my desire for a short .223AI.

14.5” P/W brake.

I have a CZ527/HS Precision in .223, currently a 24” barrel. I plan to chop the barrel similarly and ream out to .223AI. Should make my favorite coyote rifle even more favorite’r.
Other projects and expenses keep pushing it to the back burner…

 

[SkyScrapin]

In my experience shorter barrels love mid weight projectiles with fast powders. You can use the same fast powder with heavies but your range will be shorter to transonic.

I since moved over to factory ammo in my 18” 223 non-AI and hit transonic around 650 yards with 77 TMKs. Nothing crazy but plenty of fun and deadly when it needs to be.

Following your project.

Try H322 with those 80 ELDs.

 

[Hennig]

My 16” 223ai absolutely hammers with Varget and 80ELDMs.

 

[Gustav7]

In my experience shorter barrels love mid weight projectiles with fast powders. You can use the same fast powder with heavies but your range will be shorter to transonic.

I since moved over to factory ammo in my 18” 223 non-AI and hit transonic around 650 yards with 77 TMKs. Nothing crazy but plenty of fun and deadly when it needs to be.

Following your project.

Try H322 with those 80 ELDs.

The 77TMK is a phenomenal bullet. How far have you gone reliably with that setup?

 

[Heffo]

I’m a fan. Shoot 75eldms around 2850 with 2206H.

 

[4O6shootist]

I've always wanted to do a 223 or 233ai. Seems like an 80gr eldm is about perfect for this bullet. Finding them is a problem tho!

 

[MarshallDodge]

I've always wanted to do a 223 or 233ai. Seems like an 80gr eldm is about perfect for this bullet. Finding them is a problem tho!

Mine was setup for the 75 Amax and with a 22" 7.5 twist barrel, gets to 1K pretty fast. The first time I took it out, I was frustrating my buddy next to me, who was shooting 175 SMKs in his 308, and my hit percentages were higher.

I recently tested the 75 ELD and still playing with seating depth to match the accuracy of the Amax.

 

[xphunter]

I Want a 223AI in the Future!
I do have a 15" H-S Precision HSP in 223 Rem. Run 77 grain TMK's, Varget, and Lapua brass - 2675 fps.

We have ran it out to 1300 yards on steel, and killed pd's past a grand.
A newbie shooting it last summer-Her first day of LR shooting.

 

[Moose]

I love the 223AI it is a outstanding little round.Mine is built on a 20: barrel and i been running the 75gr amax out of it for a long time.Have also ran 50 gr vmax with great results.

 

[SkyScrapin]

The 77TMK is a phenomenal bullet. How far have you gone reliably with that setup?

Not far enough. I think I trued it to 780y or so. As you know, hard to spot 77g impacts at those distances especially on 3/8" steal.

This load is the Federal TRU 77TMK load that is a touch slow but as accurate as my hand loads. Plenty for fur inside of 500 yards. Likely going to test it out this weekend.

 

[NHPiper]

I'm trying to decide if I should work up StaBall Match loads or be happy with 2803fps with 80gr bullets.

I have an unused 8lbs tub of Varget versus 6lbs of StaBallatg that I wanted to dedicate to my gas guns.

 

[Gustav7]

I'm trying to decide if I should work up StaBall Match loads or be happy with 2803fps with 80gr bullets.

I have an unused 8lbs tub of Varget versus 6lbs of StaBallatg that I wanted to dedicate to my gas guns.

I've heard the Staball match is sweet... better be for the $47/lb my local Cabelas is selling it for lol.

Not far enough. I think I trued it to 780y or so. As you know, hard to spot 77g impacts at those distances especially on 3/8" steal.

This load is the Federal TRU 77TMK load that is a touch slow but as accurate as my hand loads. Plenty for fur inside of 500 yards. Likely going to test it out this weekend.

LOL right... I have a 1/4" IPSC that's been mildly reshaped concave by 1000's of 9mm. Its about perfect, as it dings at a higher pitch and then all the sounds gets echoed back at you.

I ran 77's up to 2780-2800 with TAC out of an 18" AR
I ended up sticking with XBR 8208 at around 2700.

 

[NHPiper]

I've heard the Staball match is sweet... better be for the $47/lb my local Cabelas is selling it for lol.



LOL right... I have a 1/4" IPSC that's been mildly reshaped concave by 1000's of 9mm. Its about perfect, as it dings at a higher pitch and then all the sounds gets echoed back at you.

I ran 77's up to 2780-2800 with TAC out of an 18" AR
I ended up sticking with XBR 8208 at around 2700.

The StaBall was good to go in my guns for sure! I got 2750 with it out of an 18” Bartlein at 25.2gr. 8208 XBR gave me 2730ish fps with the same 77gr SMK bullets.

 

[NHPiper]

Update on load dev!

I spent the last week playing with StaBall Match after the success I had with it in my Mk12.

After running different charges, settled on a 27.1gr charge, Rem 6 1/2 primers, Winchester Brass, and Hornady AMAXs. I was getting decent groups and 2800fps, SD of 15. Then I looked at my old load data for the barrel and realized I was loading currently at 2.440" OAL and the barrel was shooting at 2.470"

Made the switch today. Groups tightened to a dime at 100 yards, velocity bumped to 2853fps, SD at 11. And that was loaded off a Dillon 650 with their auto powder measure.

Works good enough for me and fast to load. Guess I need to sell the 8lbs tub of Varget haha!

 

[supercorndogs]

Update on load dev!

I spent the last week playing with StaBall Match after the success I had with it in my Mk12.

After running different charges, settled on a 27.1gr charge, Rem 6 1/2 primers, Winchester Brass, and Hornady AMAXs. I was getting decent groups and 2800fps, SD of 15. Then I looked at my old load data for the barrel and realized I was loading currently at 2.440" OAL and the barrel was shooting at 2.470"

Made the switch today. Groups tightened to a dime at 100 yards, velocity bumped to 2853fps, SD at 11. And that was loaded off a Dillon 650 with their auto powder measure.

Works good enough for me and fast to load. Guess I need to sell the 8lbs tub of Varget haha!

Remington advises against using 6 1/2 primers in high pressure rounds like the 223. They are for 22 hornets and stuff.

 

[M4orturnate]

I run 26.5g varget with 75elds and 26.6g with 80gelds. Right around 3000fps from a 20" with 75s. Inside 1000y is very consistent and 1250 is doable just hard to see impacts.
Edit to say im at like 3200 rounds with this combo and 6 reloads with lapua brass and everything is still shooti g like new. I did drop about 40 fps from when i first got it.

 

[NHPiper]

Remington advises against using 6 1/2 primers in high pressure rounds like the 223. They are for 22 hornets and stuff.

Good to know. I had some spare ones lying around. Will end up switching back to CCI.

 

[xphunter]

I have shot 100's of 223 Rem (not AI) rounds with Lapua brass, 77 TMK, 24.7 grains of Varget, and the Rem 7.5 primer with no problems , with sustained shooting.

 

[NHPiper]

My varget load is 25.6gr behind an 80 ELD or AMAX in Winchester brass. Shoots great!

 

[Moose]

I just started to work with Varget in my 223AI and I am finding the info on this site very useful. Thank You

 

[NHPiper]

The TF 3A showed up and looks great. I threw a couple pieces of electrical tape inside the lockup mechanism so that it is slightly firmer. Took the gun up to the range and unfortunately the groups went to crap. I think the existing bedding job in this stock sucks, the tang isn't even bedded where the front recoil lug is.

Going to remove the existing bedding and pull out the devcon this afternoon.

Here are a few photos though of the rifle as it sits.

 

[Moose]

Good looking rifle.

 

[NHPiper]

Bedding in process. Now comes the agonizing 24hr period where we wait to see if the material took and filled all the voids it is supposed to.

 

[Kadams1563]

I’m building a new .223 AI as we speak well as soon as my CDG action shows up. I can’t decide on a barrel length though. I usually run 26”-28” for my 6GT (PRS rifle) but damn it’s long and heavy.

I’m thinking maybe 22” with a suppressor.

 

[NHPiper]

I’m building a new .223 AI as we speak well as soon as my CDG action shows up. I can’t decide on a barrel length though. I usually run 26”-28” for my 6GT (PRS rifle) but damn it’s long and heavy.

I’m thinking maybe 22” with a suppressor.

I have been super happy with the 18" it is very handy with a can on the end compared to the 24" it was before. After chopping the barrel by 6" and switching to StaBall, I only lost 100fps on my loads. Even the Varget loads we're only down by 150fps.

 

[NHPiper]

Bedding is done. There are some spots where it chipped, but more superficial I think than relevant. The lockup is tight on the recoil lug and it now sits even inside the barrel inlet, where before it favored the right side under the EFR.

 

[Yoteski]

Jumping in on this thread as there's some good info on Staball match in 223ai. Anyone have a recommended max to work up to with Staball match and 85 grain bullets? Thanks fellas.

 

[Kadams1563]

I am in the process of using it in .223 AI with 80 eld’s but can’t find Lapua brass. Gonna load WCC brass until I can find something better.

 

[NHPiper]

Winchester brass has been good to me when it can be found.

I believe I started to see pressure signs with the StaBall Match around 27.3-27.5gr and up with the 80gr ELD

 

[AMMOWASTER]

What's the limit on weight for an 8 twist? Saw a rifle for sale locally in 223AI.

 

[MarshallDodge]

What's the limit on weight for an 8 twist? Saw a rifle for sale locally in 223AI.

I've shot an 85 RDF out of my 1:8 twist standard 223 but even a 75 ELD will shoot great out of a 223AI.

 

[SkyScrapin]

The 77TMK is a phenomenal bullet. How far have you gone reliably with that setup?

It’s Federal Tru ammo which is now discontinued. Rather anemic in terms of velocity but it’s an easy 3/8th inch for accuracy.

Transonic at 650. I typically don’t shoot my 223s beyond that range because splash is harder to spot on my range unless it’s bone dry and the berms are nekkid of vegetation.

 

[Gustav7]

It’s Federal Tru ammo which is now discontinued. Rather anemic in terms of velocity but it’s an easy 3/8th inch for accuracy.

Transonic at 650. I typically don’t shoot my 223s beyond that range because splash is harder to spot on my range unless it’s bone dry and the berms are nekkid of vegetation.

Gotcha. I always felt like 500-600yds was the cap for anything realistic. I took my 223AI bolt gun running 80's at 2850 out to 775, and even that was tough to see, but pretty fun.

 

[xphunter]

My little 223 Remington, having fun this summer, with a good friend behind the HSP

 

[Nortex]

One of my 223ai is 21 the other is 26. The 21 with a can is handy while 26 with a can is a bit rough in tight spaces.

 

[NHPiper]

OCM5 arrived. Sounds great on the rifle.

On another note, I am finding that the Manners is not comfortable for me, particularly prone. I may need to add an adjustable butt plate to it so I can raise the pad.

 

[MarshallDodge]

OCM5 arrived. Sounds great on the rifle.

On another note, I am finding that the Manners is not comfortable for me, particularly prone. I may need to add an adjustable butt plate to it so I can raise the pad.

Maybe lower the scope, or do you typically run them that high?

 

[NHPiper]

Maybe lower the scope, or do you typically run them that high?

It's a 1.5" to line up with clip ons

 

[806guns]

Man i want to do this with my 223ai barrel, who did the work ?