Accuracy question

ArcticWarrior

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I am thinking to buy a centre-fire rifle for strictly bench-rest target shooting, 100-500 yards.
Which one would give me better accuracy?

1. Regular barrel, 22-250
2. Heavy barrel, 223

Thanks in advance.

AW
 
If you buy a factory rifle the barrels aren't made to match grade specifications. You'll need to get a custom barrel if you want match grade quality and accuracy. Factory heavy barrels aren't any more accurate than sporter barrels. Where you will see a difference is with heat. A heavy barrels takes more time to heat up. Heat can affect your accuracy with a factory barrel. As for the cartridges you've listed, I would choose the 223 as it's easy to find brass for, it's cheaper, and doesn't burn out a barrel as fast as a 22-250. Have fun
 
If you buy a factory rifle the barrels aren't made to match grade specifications. You'll need to get a custom barrel if you want match grade quality and accuracy. Factory heavy barrels aren't any more accurate than sporter barrels. Where you will see a difference is with heat. A heavy barrels takes more time to heat up. Heat can affect your accuracy with a factory barrel. As for the cartridges you've listed, I would choose the 223 as it's easy to find brass for, it's cheaper, and doesn't burn out a barrel as fast as a 22-250. Have fun

Heavy barrelsare made so that when the shot is fired, they don't move as much, as well as the heat reduction.
 
Neither will give better accuracy. The thickness of the barrel has nothing to do with it, the quality of the barrel and action will. The caliber makes a bit of a difference, but both calibers are 22cal, just one is faster. If anything the 22250 should be thicker as it will heat up faster.
 
Given a choice between
1. Regular barrel, 22-250 and 2. Heavy barrel, 223
for 100-500 bench rest I would pick ....

a) a game other than bench rest
or
b) a 6BR
 
Unless you reload, it really doesn't matter what you choose.... you are limited by your quality of ammunition. Both MP and FCG are right.

I would not personally bother with a 22-250; this is a varmint cartridge, that, while very fast, has more recoil and significantly less barrel life. Your best chance for match ammo is with a 223

Also, consider the ergonomics of bench shooting. Sporter stocks are not comfortable for BR style shooting.

If you can find one, a Remington XR100 in 223 is a great BR type rig, also the Savage LRPV is another. Tikka T3 Varmint is also good.
 
Thank you so much for your help.
I am concerned about heat, so I am going to go with heavy barrel.
Looks like the caliber will be 223.
I was thinking about the Tikka T3 varmint, but I am not a big fan of synthetic, so I might go for a Sako Varmint 223 with wooden stock.
Thanks again for all the valuable info.

AW
 
Tikka or Sako would be EXCELLENT decisions for a factory rifle. 223 is a great caliber too.

You should do some reading on this forum as it seems the craze lately is the heavy 223 bullets. Make sure that you pick one with a fast twist like a 1-8 or even 1-7.

Again, that is only if you plan on doing long range. Out to 500 yards is pushing it for the light bullets. Not that they can't but you will have problems especially in the wind.

If you want to get serious about accuracy reloading will be in your near future.
 
Start with the best BR cart. the BR or PPC, then go savage or 700 rem. and you can customize from there, but in most BR comp. even cast bullets, most folks use completely after market, such as custom actions, barrels, stocks, triggers, etc. You may have to as well, to stay competitive, although in Cast Bullet BR they have "production class" not sure about other types of BR comps.
 
Well, I was settling on a Sako Varmint in 223 after reading all your inputs, but kept doing more research. During browsing I saw somewhere that Sakos come with accuracy guarantee of 1"@100 yard, but I could not verify that from Sako's website. Do you guys know about this?

Coopers for instance come 1/2"@100 yard accuracy guarantee, and that is pretty good from a factory rifle.

I like both Sako and Cooper, but would like to know your opinion from strictly accuracy standpoint.

AW
 
Sako or Cooper are excellent choices but I can only speak based on reputation since I have never owned either. I love the look of the Coopers and would personally choose it first and as you said, guaranteed accuracy!!

vr-lg.jpg


The Varminter is our most popular style, available in our Model 21, 22, and 38. All Varminters are single shot bolt action rifles that present superior accuracy in a variety of standard and wild-cat cartridges guaranteed to shoot 1/2" 3-shot groups at 100 yards (test target proving rifle accuracy included with every Varminter). Also available left handed.




Technical Specifications
Model 21
Caliber 223 Remington AI (single shot)
Barrel 1.0 x .775 x 24'' stainless steel
Twist Rate 1 in 14
Action
3-front locking lug bolt action SINGLE SHOT

Magazine None
Extraction Sako style machined from solid bar stock
Receiver Length and Width 1.155'' X 7.75''
Ejection Plunger style ejector machined from solid bar
Trigger Fully adjustable Single stage
Trigger Guard Machined aluminum
Grip Cap None
Metal Finish Matte
Stock AA Claro
Cheek Piece None
Checkering Pattern 2-panel on grip
Butt Pad Pachmayr rubber
Sling Swivels On request
Length of Pull 13.75''
Avg. Weight 7.25 lbs.
MSR $1495
 
Just bear in mind - with both - that neither are particularly easy to find after-market accessories such as custom stocks (although the cooper pictured above does appear to have a very "Remington" style action). Neither have a stock that I would consider very good for bench shooting. Don't get me wrong, because i am a huge Sako/tikka fan. Those guns shoot very well, and I have never owned one that was only 1 MOA. Every Tikka I have owned has been sub .5 MOA with load tuning.

Of the two choices (cooper vs. Sako) the Sako has a better selection of parts and such.
 
Thanks for all the info.
I am not into customization yet. I am after the best possible accuracy with a factory rifle using good factory ammo.

I own one Cooper so far, it is a rimfire 57M LVT. You can see a picture of it and how it shoots here:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500829

I do not know Sakos that well, but I know they have very good reputation.
I am just looking for an accurate centre fire companion for the LVT. So, it could be either another Cooper, or a Sako Varmint.

Your input is greatly appreciated.

AW
 
Well, I was settling on a Sako Varmint in 223 after reading all your inputs, but kept doing more research. During browsing I saw somewhere that Sakos come with accuracy guarantee of 1"@100 yard, but I could not verify that from Sako's website. Do you guys know about this?

Coopers for instance come 1/2"@100 yard accuracy guarantee, and that is pretty good from a factory rifle.

I like both Sako and Cooper, but would like to know your opinion from strictly accuracy standpoint.

AW

I have never had a cooper but have owned 2 Sakos plus a good friend also has 2 Sakos. So based on a cross section of 4 Sako rifles all would print 1/2" or better at 100 yards, usually around 3/8" with best around 1/4" using Federal Match ammo.

I have also shot next to some TRGs in competition and they also shot very well.
 
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