Help needed selecting ammo

[hawk-i]

Learn something new everyday. I was under the impression, from numerous sources that there is a cut off point, and that 20" had been proven the best balance for readily available, factory ammunition.

20 inch might be best for urban combat! LOL

 

[yodave]

So what is the optimal barrel length for .223 and why? (specifically pertaining to bench accuracy, at longer ranges as the OP inquired)

muzzle velocity determines the BC of the bullet, you'll find that most guys shooting distance are shooting 30-34 inch long barrels to get the maximum amount of velocity at the start of the bullets flight, a 77 grain bullet loses almost 150 FPS in the first 100 yards and speed falls off fast the farther it flies, the faster you start out at the muzzle, the more speed you're going to retain at distance, more speed equals less bullet drop, and less bullet drift. 20 inch barrel offers you nothing but maneuverability while shooting in and changing tactical type shooting positions and was a compromise between efficiency and down range ballistics for a specific purpose. Long range belly shooters are shooting 90 grain bullets out of a 32 inch barrel chambered in .223 running close to 3000 FPS, the extra 12 inches of barrel length was required for muzzle velocity, which ironically increases roughly 30 FPS with every inch of barrel added to burn the powder.......20 inch barrels vibrate and whip a lot less then 34 inch barrels, so they tend to stay in a wider accuracy node given that they are not flopping around all over the place during the eruption of gas and vibration caused by the recoil and rifle movement, shorter barrels aren't any more accurate, they are just easier to tune, but experience and good gun handling will get you there with a long barrel.......but you have to pay a lot more attention to external environmental changes like temperature and humidity, and have the same hold and pressure on the stock for every shot.....somehow, we make it work.....

 

[J.Hancock]

muzzle velocity determines the BC of the bullet, you'll find that most guys shooting distance are shooting 30-34 inch long barrels to get the maximum amount of velocity at the start of the bullets flight, a 77 grain bullet loses almost 150 FPS in the first 100 yards and speed falls off fast the farther it flies, the faster you start out at the muzzle, the more speed you're going to retain at distance, more speed equals less bullet drop, and less bullet drift. 20 inch barrel offers you nothing but maneuverability while shooting in and changing tactical type shooting positions and was a compromise between efficiency and down range ballistics for a specific purpose. Long range belly shooters are shooting 90 grain bullets out of a 32 inch barrel chambered in .223 running close to 3000 FPS, the extra 12 inches of barrel length was required for muzzle velocity, which ironically increases roughly 30 FPS with every inch of barrel added to burn the powder.......20 inch barrels vibrate and whip a lot less then 34 inch barrels, so they tend to stay in a wider accuracy node given that they are not flopping around all over the place during the eruption of gas and vibration caused by the recoil and rifle movement, shorter barrels aren't any more accurate, they are just easier to tune, but experience and good gun handling will get you there with a long barrel.......but you have to pay a lot more attention to external environmental changes like temperature and humidity, and have the same hold and pressure on the stock for every shot.....somehow, we make it work.....

At that point, I would change rifle and caliber all together. Interesting information though, proves there is a discipline for every niche! Is there an advantage with .223 behind a 34" barrel with a 90gr projectile as opposed to a .308 with a 160-180gr projectile behind a 24" barrel, in terms of BCE, or is it mostly just the sporting opportunity? It sounds like that rig would be a laser pointer..

 

[SustainingGopher]

The pmc is fine for everyday plinking. If you want to squeeze accuracy your going to have to shell out the money for the fancy stuff. Try the hornady superformance

 

[J.Hancock]

Afterthought; Wouldn't the velocity of such a projectile be greatly influenced by the barrel twist, given the added resistance required to stabilize such a heavy pill - or does a tighter twist play less of a factor with such a long bore to influence it? so much maths..