I'm new to builds. I like the idea of a shorter heavier barrel. Maybe a short heavy barrel with slight taper? Need advice what is best for a car,into rifle build used for gophers, steel plates and plinking. The action I'm thinking of snagging is a bighorn tl3 I'd like the barrel to fit into any stock or chassis without modification
What barrel length, twist and contour for 223 varmint rifle bighorn tl3 action
- Thread starter Mike112288
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I suggest you start by deciding the range you are going to shoot at. As ranges get longer, wind drift becomes a bigger problem than elevation (range estimation). If wind drift is an issue, you need a longer bullet with a better BC.
I have shot ground hogs at 400 yards, but have never shot golphers. I can recall my father shooting them with a 22 at about 150 yards max. With a 223, those little guys would be a good challenge out to 300 yards.
For 300 yards I would want at least a 69 gr match bullet. beyond that I would want a 75 or 80 gr bullet.
69 works well with 1:9. For 75 & 80 a 1:8 is required. (I have used the Sierra 80 MK in a 1:9, but it was not a short barrel, as specified by the OP)
I have shot ground hogs at 400 yards, but have never shot golphers. I can recall my father shooting them with a 22 at about 150 yards max. With a 223, those little guys would be a good challenge out to 300 yards.
For 300 yards I would want at least a 69 gr match bullet. beyond that I would want a 75 or 80 gr bullet.
69 works well with 1:9. For 75 & 80 a 1:8 is required. (I have used the Sierra 80 MK in a 1:9, but it was not a short barrel, as specified by the OP)
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I have a friend that has a T3 with a jury 1:8 twist heavy varmint contour 30" barrel. He shoots 80 grain Bergers great and still has no problem shooting the 50 and 55 grain varmint bullets.
I settled on a 1:7 twist heavy Palma 30" Bartlien on my Remington for 90 grainers. I don't have the rifle back yet but soon I hope.
I suggest a brake too, with a brake you can see hits and misses and it makes for easier follow up shots.
I settled on a 1:7 twist heavy Palma 30" Bartlien on my Remington for 90 grainers. I don't have the rifle back yet but soon I hope.
I suggest a brake too, with a brake you can see hits and misses and it makes for easier follow up shots.
So 1-12 and 1-14" not recommended? I want to be able to use various bullets. Varmint bullets and maybe some heavier ones too. I used to have a 204. Was amazing. But I reloaded then. 223 gas cheap plinking ammo options which I also like a lot. 16"-18" looks like a sweet barrel length but I assume u give up lots of speed then
I like how 22" barrels point.
As far as twist rate, I agree with scott_r. 1-8 should do everything well as long as your barrel is over 20" and you're not single loading 90 grain bullets.
16" barrel, go for 1-7 if you want to shoot the heavyest of bullets.
As far as twist rate, I agree with scott_r. 1-8 should do everything well as long as your barrel is over 20" and you're not single loading 90 grain bullets.
16" barrel, go for 1-7 if you want to shoot the heavyest of bullets.
