Barrel Length?

Mike7

Mike7

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Hey guys, just seeking some advice.

I'm in the planning stages for a new rig and have been throwing around some ideas on barrel length. The intended purpose will be mainly paper punching with the odd varmint hunt. Range I would say would be a maximum of 500-600 yards. Caliber is .223 and it will be a stainless heavy barrel. I'm currently trying to figure out the pro's vs con's and I'm thinking 18.5"-20" to keep it short and handy. I am new to the precision game so I'm sure it'll be more accurate than me but any words of wisdom, opinions, experience would help me out. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Mike
 
Mike7 said:
Hey guys, just seeking some advice.

I'm in the planning stages for a new rig and have been throwing around some ideas on barrel length. The intended purpose will be mainly paper punching with the odd varmint hunt. Range I would say would be a maximum of 500-600 yards. Caliber is .223 and it will be a stainless heavy barrel. I'm currently trying to figure out the pro's vs con's and I'm thinking 18.5"-20" to keep it short and handy. I am new to the precision game so I'm sure it'll be more accurate than me but any words of wisdom, opinions, experience would help me out. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Mike
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The 223 is a fairly efficient round and does well in short barrels. However once you start reaching out the extra velocity attained from a longer barrel has it's benefits, less bullet drop and wind drift. The difference in velocity/inch is fairly high below 20" and once you get over 20" the velocity gains are not as great. If it was me I'd go for at least a 20" barrel. Search google for "barrel length variations 223 Remington". Should help explain a little better than I can.
 
Ok thanks. I know that velocity doesn't loose that much per inch but I haven't heard it drops off dramatically after 20". Any reason for this or how much?
I've been trying to do some research for the last few days but there's just so much so sift through it's taking forever.
 
A 20" .223 will certainly shoot to 600. Competitive long range shooters use much longer barrels.
What bullet weight are you planning to use?
 
That's another thing, not too sure on that either. Was thinking the standard 1-9 twist or possibly 1-7?
I have an ar with 1-7 but haven't shot it for accuracy so I don't know what twist/weight works best for range and group size.
 
Min barrel length for F-class competition is 20" if you don't want to limit your options.

I like 20" barrels for handiness, for a longer-range rig I wouldn't go below 20".

If you're planning on shooting long range with .223 Rem you want to use heavy (lower drag) projectiles.
That will work out better with 1:8 or tighter twist. For non-custom rifles, that tends to translate to 1:7 factory barrel offerings.
 
If you want to shoot 80gr bullets, 1:8 is an excellent choice. A 1:9 should shoot 77s, and might do well with some 75s. 1:7 will shoot 90 grainers.
 
20" is plenty for 600 yards. If you wanted to shoot 1000 yards, you'd need to seriously consider a 30" barrel.

A 1-7" or 1-8" twist barrel will work well and will allow you to shoot all bullets well, including the heavy low drag bullets you'd prefer to shoot for 600 yards. A 1-9" barrel will also work but just-barely, there will be some desirable long range bullets that won't be workable in a 1-9" barrel.

Any of the premium barrel manufacturers' barrels will shoot extremely well.
 
Ok, I'm glad to see the responses aren't all over the map, makes my job much easier. So basically a 20" with 1-7 would be the best compromise? I wasn't thinking full custom so it's good see it can be done.
 
When you say odd varmint hunt....what type of varmints, if you're thinking coyotes as well you might want to try and get a little more velocity by not going too short on the barrel. At 600 yards the energy drops off fairly fast. That may not be any concern to you, its just something to keep in mind.
 
rnbra-shooter said:
20" is plenty for 600 yards. If you wanted to shoot 1000 yards, you'd need to seriously consider a 30" barrel.
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I think this advice needs some clarity. A 30" barrel has an advantage if you are loading your own ammunition and can drive the velocities up. Everything that I have seen leads me to believe that with stock ammo you could actually be losing some velocity in the 223.
 
I have used many different twist rates in 223s over the years and for accuracy you need the 1 in 8 twist for 80 grain bullets. 80 grainers are the defacto standard for long range 223 in F-Class, but recently guys have been working with 90 grainers - but that's getting into sensitive and specialized territory.

For a hunting rig though - it's real hard to beat the 1 in 7 twist with 69 grain SMKs. I've found the fast twist really cranks up the explosive effect when hitting ground hogs and even deer. Sierra also make a 77 grain round that is intended to run at magazine length so you don't need to single feed which you should try also

The effect of a fast twist on terminal energy is an often overlooked component when considering caliber selection. I guarantee you will be very pleased with the 1:7 twist with 69 grain SMKs. plus you can run up to 80 grainers if you get a hankering to stretch your legs.

As for barrel length - The ultimate is more like 24 inches for a 223 and if you want to keep the weight down, just flute the barrel. remember a fat fluted barrel that weighs the same as a none fluted barrel of the same length will be the stiffer of the two.

If you compare two barrels of the same diameter with one being fluted - the non fluted will be stiffer. But if you take a fat barrel and flute it - that barrel will weigh the same as a thinner unfluted barrel but the fluted one is stiffer and inherently more accurate.

Forget the 30 inch barrel advice above as that is what is typically used for Target Rifle competition using iron sights. they use 30 inches because the sight click increments are based on front to rear sights that far apart. Plus it gives iron sightshooters a better sight picture. If you're a scope shooter, this does not apply.
 
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BadAsMo said:
I have used many different twist rates in 223s over the years and for accuracy you need the 1 in 8 twist for 80 grain bullets. 80 grainers are the defacto standard for long range 223 in F-Class, but recently guys have been working with 90 grainers - but that's getting into sensitive and specialized territory.

For a hunting rig though - it's real hard to beat the 1 in 7 twist with 69 grain SMKs. I've found the fast twist really cranks up the explosive effect when hitting ground hogs and even deer. Sierra also make a 77 grain round that is intended to run at magazine length so you don't need to single feed which you should try also

The effect of a fast twist on terminal energy is an often overlooked component when considering caliber selection. I guarantee you will be very pleased with the 1:7 twist with 69 grain SMKs. plus you can run up to 80 grainers if you get a hankering to stretch your legs.

As for barrel length - The ultimate is more like 24 inches for a 223 and if you want to keep the weight down, just flute the barrel. remember a fat fluted barrel that weighs the same as a none fluted barrel of the same length will be the stiffer of the two.

If you compare two barrels of the same diameter with one being fluted - the non fluted will be stiffer. But if you take a fat barrel and flute it - that barrel will weigh the same as a thinner unfluted barrel but the fluted one is stiffer and inherently more accurate.

Forget the 30 inch barrel advice above as that is what is typically used for Target Rifle competition using iron sights. they use 30 inches because the sight click increments are based on front to rear sights that far apart. Plus it gives iron sightshooters a better sight picture. If you're a scope shooter, this does not apply.
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Long barrels are also used by the F Class competitors who shoot in the .223/5.56 category. 32" barrels as well.
 
tiriaq said:
Long barrels are also used by the F Class competitors who shoot in the .223/5.56 category. 32" barrels as well.
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Probably because they put a scope on their TR rifle that already had it.

Anyway the Op is using it for hunting and even if some FTR shooters are after every last FPS - and probably with 90 grainers to need a barrel that long - its not the OP's game.
 
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I guess my main focus was a balance between accuracy and maneuverability and people have been facing that challenge for a long time now. I think a 20" is my best bet to keep it portable but still get decent results.
 
Fluting does not increase stiffness. It decreases it to that of a slimmer profile without shaving nearly as much weight as a slimmer profile. I know of at least one respected barrel mfr that has this information posted on their website. As for twist rate, choose based on the bullets you plan to shoot and your barrel length. The longer the barrel is, the higher the RPM the bullet will leave the barrel at. That is why 16" 1:9" ARs typically don't do well with even short 75 gr bullets while a 20" 1:9 usually can. Its also why 16" ARs are available with a 1:7" for shooting heavies. As for what you should go with, ask yourself if a heavy, unbalanced rifle made for shooting prone with a support really benefits from a barrel a few inches shorter. Unless you're shooting CQB with it... You're trading velocity for a couple ounces. I'd go 24" plus with a 1:8" for 75-80 gr bullets.
 
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