Thread: Short barrel 223 build ?

Hi Guys ,

Thinking of building a short barrel boltgun , barrel somewhere between 12-16 inches , and using a tight twist barrel , say a 1-7 , and building on either a Rem700 , CZ527 or a Howa ? , it will use a suppressor , anyone done something similar ?

Cheers Chris

Might have a Cz could sell you , barrel is rooted

Yes , they work very very well

I use 60g nbt and 55g gamekings

Partial neck size only to increase case capacity with lapua match brass and fill it with 2206

@kimjon is the one you want

If you need an action (Rem700) and barrel, let me know.

I need to sell off my 223Maximus and was going to have the chamber set back to 223Rem and sell off, but would rather see it go a more interesting project.

EDIT - This barrel is only a factory 1:10, but the action may be of use to you anyway.

Yup, Been using one for past ten years, about 9.5" barrel, with gunwork suppressor. Pretty much my go-to hunting rifle. Nothing flash, just a stainless ruger, but accurate enough for Bush hunting


Shoot one or two animals with it, using it every day as a culler for a decade. And still use it in my own time now I've retired from professional hunting.

Kj

Just for some perspective on just how small it is...just legal at 765mm without suppressor on.


Kj

@kimjon what load are you running?

Just factory hornady training ammo (brass cases), but anything cheap works fine as long as it's soft point.

Bloody hell a toothpick is longer than that.

my 17.5" cz gets 2800fps with 64gn pills and that isnt even stoaked hot, I am still considering chopping it down to 16"
Shitty pick but you get the size.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

...
Partial neck size only to increase case capacity...

?? By 0.1%?

Only gain to be had here is to go for the lightest brass available, and that going to be pretty insignificant at best. Sizing treatment isn't worth chasing IMHO.

Originally Posted by 6x47

?? By 0.1%?

Only gain to be had here is to go for the lightest brass available, and that going to be pretty insignificant at best. Sizing treatment isn't worth chasing IMHO.

In a .223, full length resized lapua match brass and 60g nbt mag fit held 26g of 2206h

3206fps


Neck sized only and same projectile and seating depth held 27.1g of 2206h

3450fps

If you are shortening your barrel and want some lost velocity back there are a few ways to increase powder capacity, neck sizing is one way, another way is to increase throat lead to the rifling which allows you to make ammo with a longer overall length, again opening up case capacity for more powder

The lightest .223 brass with the largest internal capacity cant normally handle higher pressure, lapua brass can.

Broadly speaking Pressure = velocity in a short tube

Try not to use moly or HBN coated projectiles as pressure is usually reduced, dropping velocity.


The effect in short barrelled 08cases and saums is even more dramatic

Running lapua brass with its .588 bolt face and ..585 base dia shortened to saum length has an even bigger capacity advantage when neck sized only.

When using a .223, and a short tube at that, any extra velocity is welcome.




When designing a short barrelled .223 consider the effect your slower projectiles and reduced energy are going to have on your maximum range and the animals you shoot, and rather than running ammo at high pressure levels put some thought into a short tube on a .22PPC or .22XC or 22-250 that will give far better velocity in a short tube, and do it with less brass/ammo prep.

You use the 60gr NBT on deer @7mmsaum ?
Friend uses them and they seem to work great on reds and goats.

Originally Posted by Beavis

You use the 60gr NBT on deer @7mmsaum ?
Friend uses them and they seem to work great on reds and goats.

Yes they are great on deer, the base of the projectile is 4mm thick copper and is often found just under the hide on the far side.