Thread: 223 barrel length?

What have people found on a good barrel length for the 223 namely shooting 75 amax.
I know some of the AR guys have some short barrels, but how much does speed suffer with lopping a barrel back to 18" or there abouts.
My theory is 18" should be fine as is a small case and amount of powder to burn...

Anybody got some speeds for the heavier .224 projectiles?
@Digit @Beavis @kimjon
Thought I would add some tags (you guys might have some info?)

Thanks in advance
Kyle.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Probably not helpful but I'm shooting 55gr through 22" at 3060fps. Interested to see what speeds you're getting with heavier projectiles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Dougie

Probably not helpful but I'm shooting 55gr through 22" at 3060fps. Interested to see what speeds you're getting with heavier projectiles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dougie, we are getting 2803 fps with the 75 amax using Ar2206H. Over 5 shots we had an ES of 9 fps

Hence the reason why I am asking in regard to shooting the 75gn amax's. They were really easy to get to shoot for that rifle

What type of shooting are you intending to do?
A 75 gr A-Max would be a pretty heavy pill for a short barrel.

Hornady's "Handbook of Cartridge Reloading" recommends a 1:8 twist barrel for the 75 gr A-Max.

For target shooting we're using an 80 gr A-Max in a Savage Model 12 .223 with a 26" 1:7 twist barrel.
Norma cases with 24.7 gr ADI2208.

I'm getting 2759 from a 22" barrel with 77gn smk.

The same loads, while I haven't put them over a crony, drop off the bottom of a 12" target at 300m with a 14.4" barrel.

I'm going to cut the 22" down to aprox 18" to make a handier rifle.

Originally Posted by res

I'm getting 2759 from a 22" barrel with 77gn smk.

The same loads, while I haven't put them over a crony, drop off the bottom of a 12" target at 300m with a 14.4" barrel.

I'm going to cut the 22" down to aprox 18" to make a handier rifle.

I suppose what I'm asking is, Is it realistic to expect 25fps drop per inch of barrel loss?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by puku

I suppose what I'm asking is, Is it realistic to expect 25fps drop per inch of barrel loss?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

I was reading an article on accurateshooter.com and they did a test on 223 and barrel length, it turned out to be around 25fps per 1inch of barrel chopped.

I will try and find link for you.

Just keep in mind that its only velocity that is effected by barrel length, accuracy isn't.

My ar has a 16" barrel, shoots 62gr Sierra match kings at .6" groups no worries.

Can't Remember velocity of top of my head, but .223 isn't a good choice for long range. Any range up to 300m isn't really effected by velocity. Look at just about all centre fire ballistics and they all shoot to about the same point out to 300m be it at .223, or a super duper wsm... they're all about the same give or take a couple inches.

Beyond 300m the faster calibre will start to show up the slower ones, but beyond 300m the .223 has little energy and massive wind drift, so it's not ideal unles used in perfect conditions.

Kj

Originally Posted by kimjon

Can't Remember velocity of top of my head, but .223 isn't a good choice for long range. Any range up to 300m isn't really effected by velocity. Look at just about all centre fire ballistics and they all shoot to about the same point out to 300m be it at .223, or a super duper wsm... they're all about the same give or take a couple inches.

Beyond 300m the faster calibre will start to show up the slower ones, but beyond 300m the .223 has little energy and massive wind drift, so it's not ideal unles used in perfect conditions.

Kj

A heavy barrelled 223 with heavy projectiles can foot it with a 308 out to 900 or 1000 yards for target shooting.
Our Savage 223 described above shoots accurately out to 900 yards, can do 1000 if it isn't too windy.

Hunting might be a different story, but don't generalise about 223s and longer ranges please.

The original question suggested heavy projectiles in a short barrel, possibly not the best combo.

Originally Posted by Cyclops

A heavy barrelled 223 with heavy projectiles can foot it with a 308 out to 900 or 1000 yards for target shooting.
Our Savage 223 described above shoots accurately out to 900 yards, can do 1000 if it isn't too windy.

Hunting might be a different story, but don't generalise about 223s and longer ranges please.

The original question suggested heavy projectiles in a short barrel, possibly not the best combo.

There are some very talented marksmen and in no wind conditions I'm sure there are some tight groups that get quoted by someone using a .223. But with BC's in the .2 - .36 range and slow velocities with the heavier billets...on a windy day you may as well leave your .223 at home.

I'm not anti .223 its the calibre I've used the most, professional hunting for 12 years with one, shot 10's of thousands of rounds in that calibre...love the little .223...but I'm also well aware of its limitations.

For pukus intended use its perfect. But it's not my first choice for long range.

Kj

Originally Posted by kimjon

There are some very talented marksmen and in no wind conditions I'm sure there are some tight groups that get quoted by someone using a .223. But with BC's in the .2 - .36 range and slow velocities with the heavier billets...on a windy day you may as well leave your .223 at home.
Kj

FWIW the BC of a 75 gr A-Max is 0.435 and 80 gr A-Max is 0.453, a little higher than the range 0.2 - 0.36

I will check my book when I get home with speed we are getting. Currently im loading 75 amax for a mate with a factory tikka with 1:8" twist and standard barrel (22.75")

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Below 20" yes but I think it's less than the longer you get.

Based on a mates experience I only expect to lose 80fps by going to 18"

Sako 75 .223 22"

75gn AMax 2715fps
69gn SMK 2714fps
65gn GK 2881fps


Schmeisser AR15 16" (has a tight chamber)

69gn SMK 2806fps
65gn GK 2873fps

Originally Posted by dogmatix

Sako 75 .223 22"

75gn AMax 2715fps
69gn SMK 2714fps
65gn GK 2881fps


Schmeisser AR15 16" (has a tight chamber)

69gn SMK 2806fps
65gn GK 2873fps

This is clearly not apples and apples!