.223 barrel length/weight

[thatmikeguy]

does anyone know what kind of velocity a 223 gets with a 26" barrel using a 45 grain bullet? i'm considering buying a remington sps heavy barrel. also wondering if a heavy barrel is needed for that caliber. Does a light barrel get hot from shooting .223?

 

[broncoguy72]

The heavy barrel is nice but it gets hot also. The 700 sps has a poor stock so expect to spend money on a new stock. The factory one is weak and light. The heavy barrel will allow you more shots than a light barrel does before the groups open up. I have shot wonderfull groups with sporter weight barrels but after about 5 rds the groups got bigger.

 

[X-fan]

If you shoot gophers any barrel will get hot, if not who cares.

Accuracy will usually favor the heavy barrel, but I had a light weight factory barrel that was ridiculously accurate....Take your pick and shoot it.

I am able to get 3400-3500fps out of a 50 grain bullet...Not sure what a 45gr will do.

One of the funnest calibers ever made.

 

[Wissem70]

I went with a heavy barrel 223 and enjoy every bit of it.
I will suffer the weight when hunting but love it at the range.
Have tried many bullets except 45grainers. 40's are in the mail and I tried 36 grain varmint grenades but haven't found a good load yet.
Lots of fun.

 

[thatmikeguy]

i used to have a savage model 12 in 22-250. it was very accurate. only got it hot once. i could shoot at my pace and it was fine. i thought the 223 would have less heat. i guess it is still a fast bullet and shooting gophers is most likely a faster pace than my target shooting pace.