Thread: Optimum length for a 1:12 .223

Recently purchased nice stainless fluted rem 700 VSSF rifle. The length (26”) is rather unwieldy though especially once the gunworks can is on. I want to use it as a walk and stalk rifle for wallabies and goats with the occasional fallow, also shooting from a canam, so thinking about cutting it down to make it more versatile. I assume the barrel can be chopped down into the flutes? What lengths have people gone down to with that twist rate? What would you recommend?

You just have to consider how far you want to shoot out to and what kinda speeds you need to be able achieve to get out there before your chosen projectile stops performing reliably.

You can get ~3100 from 18" barrels with 55's. I comfortably get 3350 and 3250 from 50gr and 55gr with a 22".

Have one at 18" another at 24", both are 1-10. Used for different terrain, both have their place.

Wouldn’t want to go past 300m. Majority would be less than 200m

Twist rate is irrelevant as far as barrel lenght is concerned.
What you need to work out is how much velocity you are happy to lose.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Twist rate is irrelevant as far as barrel lenght is concerned.
What you need to work out is how much velocity you are happy to lose.

I would still want to be effectively able to take down a fallow out to 250m(absolutely outside). So chop enough that that was still possible I guess?

I would leave it alone for AT LEAST 12mths....it will cost you...$60-100 to rethread/shorten it later on IF you find it too long....
its not easy to put length back on once its gone its gone.....

26 is rather long for a 223 tho....
Mine (my Sons) is 20-22 inch and I (but not with my Son behind it yet ) would happily shoot any game in nz to 300y.

I'd chop it to 20"....if needed you can always chop more off.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Twist rate is irrelevant as far as barrel lenght is concerned.
What you need to work out is how much velocity you are happy to lose.

Funny I was going to ask a very similar question. As I understand it less barrel length equals less speed which means heavy for calibre projectiles that were OK before may not stabilise after the chop?

Originally Posted by Got-ya

Funny I was going to ask a very similar question. As I understand it less barrel length equals less speed which means heavy for calibre projectiles that were OK before may not stabilise after the chop?

I am far from expert on the subject but as I understand it bullet rpm degrade more slowly than bullet velocity does.
Therefore yes it is possible that a marginally stabilized projectile may not stabilise at a reduced velocity from the same barrel but it is splitting hairs.

Velocity does have an effect but it's much less than what twist rate has.

Losing 100fps by nipping 4" off the barrel is 3.3% less spin if you started out at say 3000fps.

Changing that same barrel from 1:8 to 1:9 would be 12.5% less.

(excuse shitty math)

Unless your projectile is already borderline unstable, losing a little speed isn't going to do anything bad.

As the barrel is a1:12 I imagine you will be relatively limited in your projectile selection anyway. 62gr would probably be marginal so the 55gr will be your go to. 26" is massive. 20" would be far more practical

I have cut mine, albeit a Tikka which is 1:12, cut to to 16inch, shoots 3/4" at 100 yards with factory PMC, havent speed tested or load developed yet as will do that once i run out of my PMC.

Greetings All,
A rifle just like the one Delphus describes sits in my rifle cupboard. I used it for some years target shooting (pretty average, me not the rifle) regrettably not so much these days. The heavy barrel was great off hand, standing sitting and kneeling and shot a few hares with it. Two slots along is another .223, a T3 light which shoots just as well and has an 8 inch twist. There are no prizes for guessing which one leaves the cupboard most often. The two rifles are both better at different things and being an old Fudd neither is going to be shortened. I think I am with Mickey in suggesting using it for a period before rushing for the hacksaw.
Regards Grandpamac.

26 inches is too long for a .223. There have been some tests conducted where the same barrel has been cut to 24" and it produced higher velocities (IIRC +30fps more).
The highest velocity is reached with a 24" barrel and if you cut it down to 20" you will lose around 120fps on avg. But cut the same barrel down to 18" and you are losing around 200fps.
I would cut it to 20" and then add the suppressor.