.223 barrel length question

[KDX]

Would an 18" barrel be to short for shooting 50-60gr bullets with BenchMark powder? I'm looking to rebarrel my rifle and don't anticipate shooting beyond 300 yards. I don't want to go longer than 20 inches. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ice-Pick]

I just sold Jr's Tikka T3 Lite and it had a short barrell, it shot 77 gr bullets quite well out to at least 300 with no problems.

M.

 

[rnbra-shooter]

18" would be just fine.

 

[bluebell]

My 20" barrel bolt gun with 1:9 twist shoots 55gr, 62gr, and 69gr very well.

 

[sunray]

The rifling twist is more important than the barrel length. You will lose a fair bit of velocity though.

 

[bluebell]

sunray is correct. Twist 1:12 will stabilize up to and including 55gr bullets; 1:9 good for up to and including 69gr; for bullets heavier (longer) than that you need 1:8 or 1:7 twist.

 

[rnbra-shooter]

You'll lose _some_ velocity in an 18" bbl, I wouldn't call it much.

 

[8 ball]

Velocity loss in the shorter barrel will be much less than many people think. If you like the idea of a short barrel (as I do) anything in the 18-20 inch range will be fine. Good luck with your project!

 

[Holleyman]

sunray is correct. Twist 1:12 will stabilize up to and including 55gr bullets; 1:9 good for up to and including 69gr; for bullets heavier (longer) than that you need 1:8 or 1:7 twist.

My M77 with a 1:12 will stabilize 62 grain out to 500 yards and beyond, but that is with a 24" barrel.

 

[Obtunded]

AR15's are produced with some very short (sub-16") barrels and they are a perfectly adequate rifle to 300M

 

[MagnumPeanut]

AR15's are produced with some very short (sub-16") barrels and they are a perfectly adequate rifle to 300M

That