Barrel length for 223?

jester3006

jester3006

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Edmonton, AB
I've never shot 223 but was thinking of getting into a target 223. There are many options but I was leaning to starting with a Remington 700 5R Milspec. There are options of 20" or 24" barrels. Any advantages to either? What would do the job for that caliber? Thanks
 
A 20" regular weight barrel is for hunting. A 24" heavy barrel is a target rifle. So you need to decide what you'll be doing with it, most.
 
I am waiting on a 26 inch shilen select match 8 twist from Jerry. I can't wait for it to get here for my savage. I have previously owned a 20" Remington SPS that had shot with great results. I believe that if you are looking for "velocity" and therefor distance, a longer barrel will serve you better. If shooting 500 yards and less I don't think the length will gain you anything.
 
I have a couple .223's with 30 inch Palma weight barrels on them. I shoot them out to 1000 yards with iron sight, so I need to get the front sight way out there.
 
I was at my local range last night with my 16.5" barrelled remington 700 aac-sd in .223 and I was ringing the 6" gong at 300 yards very consistently.

I wanted the compactness for dragging around when bagging yotes. Has proven pretty decent accuracy at 1,2 and 300 yards.
Norinco ammo being the weakest link in the accuracy department. American eagle was holding just over 1" groups at 100 so ill take that!
 
jester3006 said:
I've never shot 223 but was thinking of getting into a target 223. There are many options but I was leaning to starting with a Remington 700 5R Milspec. There are options of 20" or 24" barrels. Any advantages to either? What would do the job for that caliber? Thanks
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Given your circumstances, go with the 20" 5R. It's better handling, balance, and slightly lighter than the 24" offering. At the distances you'll be shooting (100yds.-300yds.), it'll do just fine. Even the fore mentioned 16.5" AAC-SD would be sufficient - albeit louder and obviously less velocity.

I've got several long barreled target rifles and I'll likely never have anything over 22" again, unless there's a good enough reason to do so.
 
Curious "jpbaker" did you get any special type of rifling on your shillen select match?. The one I ordered I though I would try something different from everybody else and test the ratchet style 4 land rifling. I hope I didn't make a mistake but when it arrives there will definatly be a range report
 
nevanevan said:
Curious "jpbaker" did you get any special type of rifling on your shillen select match?. The one I ordered I though I would try something different from everybody else and test the ratchet style 4 land rifling. I hope I didn't make a mistake but when it arrives there will definatly be a range report
Click to expand...

Nothing special
 
What powder are you running with the 80gr? I'm running benchmark and only getting about 2650 by my calculations, out of a 28" maclennon
 
Op: 20 inch barrel is more stout, meaning your vibrational sweet spot will be more forgiving when working up a load. But all thing being equal, you'll have lower velocity, so when pushing your .223to the limit for distance, your maximum effective range due to crossing the transonic barrier will be lower.

In short, both barrel lengths are fine, you are trading short distance accuracy potential for maximum distance accuracy potential.
 
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