Hey, I've been thinking a lot about this for a while and wanted to get some opinions. Right now I have a 308 bolt action. I've always intended to uprade to a better rifle and get it in 6.5 Creedmore, but I cannot afford to do so right now. I've been going over the idea of trading in my 308 for a 223 bolt action so I can get more time on the rifle as the ammo is much cheaper. The longest range at my club is 200m. So my question is, would this be a good move?
223 Bolt Action for Precision Training?
- Thread starter DES0LAT0R
- Start date
RangerPark
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Near Edmonton, AB
Absolutely, go for it! .223 makes for great practice at about half the price of. 308. You can work out plenty of kinks on a .223 and your overall shooting ability will benefit.
You’d be very surprised what a .223 can do. I’ve competed with a .223 in both FTR and PRS against people running .308s all the way out to 1000m. If you know your ammo / ballistics you can keep up no problem. Way less recoil, long barrel life and cheaper reloading are nice bonuses as well.
It's definitely a good way to go. Lots of guys who compete a lot have a .223 trainer, myself included. It's way more economical than burning out your match barrels if you run a barrel burner calibre (like most 6mms). Even compared to a .308, it's about 1/2 the cost since you use 1/2 the powder and bullets are cheaper. With the right twist barrel you can run 75s and up and then, depending on conditions, you're good out to 800 or so yards, further if you run the real heavies.
Depending on what rifle you currently have, you could also just get a .223 bolt and get barrel spun up by a gunsmith so you can swap calibers back and forth. I had Insite Arms do me up .223 and 6mm Creedmoor barrels for my ARC Nucleus (my back up gun) and I use the .223 barrel as a trainer. I've taken it out to 830 yards and as long as conditions are such that I can see my splash, it's quite effective. 550 yards and in, I use it for positional practice on 1-2 moa steel.
Depending on what rifle you currently have, you could also just get a .223 bolt and get barrel spun up by a gunsmith so you can swap calibers back and forth. I had Insite Arms do me up .223 and 6mm Creedmoor barrels for my ARC Nucleus (my back up gun) and I use the .223 barrel as a trainer. I've taken it out to 830 yards and as long as conditions are such that I can see my splash, it's quite effective. 550 yards and in, I use it for positional practice on 1-2 moa steel.
.223 is the way to go - sold my 6.5 Creedmoor / 308 last year. BTW I shoot at the same range you do - currently having my T3x action going onto a Krieger barrel between a MDT Gen 2 chassis. As others have said you can reach out 500 plus yards
I would say that a guy who does not finish in the top 30 percent in PRS, would likely be better off to compete with a 223, because a high performance cartridge is not going to make the difference for him.
From a technical perspective, larger calibers are inherently more consistent due to economies of scale.
For example a 0.2 grain powder variance with 50 grains of powder is half that volumetric percentage change of the same 0.2 grain powder variance with 25 grains of powder.
So its hard to get real low SDs with a 223 unless you are a heck of a good hand loader.
While this is true on a chalk board, in reality, especially in the context of PRS, it wont be the reason you missed the plate.
Advantages of the 223 is low recoil and better stamina over the entirety of the weekend.
If conditions are calm or at least steady, the 223 can chase a 308 very well particularly out to 800 yards.
If there is a disadvantage to the 223 it's spotting impacts. Several times at the end of a stage spotters have told me that I got more hits than they called. They added points back in at the end of the stage, but it still cost me points because I adjusted my point of aim after the un called hit.
Meaford last year used indicator lights though and that saved my bacon with the 223 and hits registered on the moose at 860 yards. So it still hits hard enough to ring the bell at that distance.
Anyone interested in going with a 223 for long range needs to make sure the rifle feeds from an AI mag and is chambered so the cartridge OAL is at least 2.500". If you cant feed the long rounds, then you will be much more limited.
From a technical perspective, larger calibers are inherently more consistent due to economies of scale.
For example a 0.2 grain powder variance with 50 grains of powder is half that volumetric percentage change of the same 0.2 grain powder variance with 25 grains of powder.
So its hard to get real low SDs with a 223 unless you are a heck of a good hand loader.
While this is true on a chalk board, in reality, especially in the context of PRS, it wont be the reason you missed the plate.
Advantages of the 223 is low recoil and better stamina over the entirety of the weekend.
If conditions are calm or at least steady, the 223 can chase a 308 very well particularly out to 800 yards.
If there is a disadvantage to the 223 it's spotting impacts. Several times at the end of a stage spotters have told me that I got more hits than they called. They added points back in at the end of the stage, but it still cost me points because I adjusted my point of aim after the un called hit.
Meaford last year used indicator lights though and that saved my bacon with the 223 and hits registered on the moose at 860 yards. So it still hits hard enough to ring the bell at that distance.
Anyone interested in going with a 223 for long range needs to make sure the rifle feeds from an AI mag and is chambered so the cartridge OAL is at least 2.500". If you cant feed the long rounds, then you will be much more limited.
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Not an answer to your question, but what range do you use local to Hamilton that is 200m. Currently looking for a longer range to join.
Start hand loading then you will be able to afford to shoot both, it's a fabulous addition to the shooting sports, as well you will be able to craft ammunition tailored to your specific rifle that is much better than any expensive factory brand. Factory ammo is an expensive rip off.
Consider a Ruger Precision Rifle in 5.56. They don't make them any more but you might be able to find one. Nice gun, I'm fairly happy with mine.
Maynard you just bring it, I will be cheering you on will you use the 80gr or 90 gr ?
Just testing Hornady ELD 88 Gr 545 BC showing good results at 100y seated into lands 10k they worked very good, but not so good with 10 to 15 K jump
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What is twist rate on the 223?
