Twist and barrel length 223ai?

[big_matt_duq]

I plan to shoot mostly 70-80 grain bullets but may want to run some 40 grain ballistic tips for predator hunting. Rifle will always be shot suppressed with a 223 ultra. Since proof barrels are either 22 or 24 inch and 7 or 8 twist what would you pick. I'm leaning towards 24 inch 8 twist. I plan on starting with 70 gr nosler rdf if I can get them to shoot in it since my current gun seems to like them or 75 gr amax/eldm since I have some stockpiled.

 

[J.Boney]

1-8" Twist will serve you well... Mine was a 1-8" Krieger and shot the 75 AMAX and 80 SMK just fine.

 

[etn1type]

Ordered a barrel from PVA for my Origin build, their 223 barrels come standard in 1-7" twist unless you ask for something different. Figured a barrel manufacturer's recommendation couldn't be a bad way to go. Only bought a 20" barrel, but managed to get a really good deal on it from them.

 

[J.Boney]

PVA is gtg from all I hear. 1-7” is what I would do also if barrel length was short.

 

[spife7980]

I got myself a 16" 7 twist 223 wylde. Its shooting pretty nice.

I can say that the 53gr varmageddon shot pretty well while fire forming my brass, I have been using the 75 eld since then so I cant speak to just exactly how well it shot the 53s now but they are pretty long by themselves. Wish I had more data for you on the ultra light short 40 grainers. I doubt its ideal to tiwst them that much in an ai but if you are probably going to be shooting the heavies way more by number than the light ones at critters if youre anything like me.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

223AI does well in shorter barrels, I'd go 20" to keep it somewhat compact with the can for hunting. 8 twist will do but I'd go 7 just to be on the safe side in the event you want to go heavier than 80gr. I've had no issues with lighter bullets from 7 twist barrels.

 

[Hondo1]

My last one was 22” 1:8” and was great with 75’s.
Just ordered a DT Barrel 26” 1:7.7” I’m hoping it will handle the 88’s but if not I’ll be happy with 80’s.

 

[BurnOut]

26" 7-twist for mine. I can't comment on how well it shoots because it's still at the 'smith for the new barrel and Cerakoting.

Primary intended use is as a bench rested prairie dog rig, with a possible secondary use as a plinker out to maybe 1000 yards with single-fed heavy projectiles.

 

[stuff]

223AI Barreled action was put together by L.R.I. I'm using a Surgeon action, Bartlein 27" 1-7 5R barrel, Nightforce 3x15x50 F1, and the evil Mcree Precision G5 with Manners T4A adjustable cheek rest. 75gr eld-m going 3150 fps, 80gr eld-m going 3050 fps, and 88gr eld-m going 2850ish. I'm using a 5 round 308 Win. aics magazine that I modified. Bent the feed lips in and put a little epoxy putty on the mag walls to make it slimmer so it single stacks the rounds. It runs 7 rounds of 223rem and 223AI at a COAL of 2.625" smoothly.

 

[big_matt_duq]

I shoot the 40 grain noslers point of a 7 twist Noveske so not too worried about them and will probably use them to fireform brass fox hunting so they won't be full Ackley loads. Most likely will just stick with the 70 gr rdf or 75 or 80 amax/eld. I think most of my shooting will be within 600 yards so leaning towards the faster 70/75 grain loads. I plan on cutting my other 223ai down to 18 inches so leaning towards a 24 inch 7 twist for this one.

 

[Rant Durden]

OK stupid 223ai questions: will a 223ai chamber in a 223/556 gun? I really like my 222, but don't shoot it much because it won't shoot heavy bullets with its 1 in 12 twist. I try to be careful about keeping 222 and 223 separated, but am really afraid of blowing a gun up. Adding another round that could go kaboom instead of boom is part of my criteria. My idea is to re-chamber my Howa/ S&W 222 to either 223 wylde or 223ai.

 

[big_matt_duq]

it shouldn't with the shoulders blown out. Fireform loads are identical to 223 and I tend to load them on the hotter side so I wouldn't fire them through a regular 223 chamber before testing up to that load. They are pretty visually different as well.

 

[Geno C.]

A former 223ai will not chamber in a 223/556 chamber.

 

[308pirate]

OK stupid 223ai questions: will a 223ai chamber in a 223/556 gun? I really like my 222, but don't shoot it much because it won't shoot heavy bullets with its 1 in 12 twist. I try to be careful about keeping 222 and 223 separated, but am really afraid of blowing a gun up. Adding another round that could go kaboom instead of boom is part of my criteria. My idea is to re-chamber my Howa/ S&W 222 to either 223 wylde or 223ai.

223AI brass will not fit in a 223 Remington chamber.

223 Wylde isn't a different caliber than 223 Remington. It's a 223 Remington chamber reamer with a slightly different throat and leade.