Thread: Sub 20 inch .223 barrels. Who's running them?

So who is running .223 barrels that are less than 20 inches and how do you like them? Excluding AR's etc

I don't shoot much more than 300 mtrs with my one and it's used purely for varmints and shit. Currently using 55gr v-maxes if that makes any difference.

It's is 22 inches at the moment but it's getting a can so was thinking maybe 18 inches???

2900fps with 55gr factory from 14.5" AR


20" .223AI give me over 3000fps with 75gr

Yep 16" 1:8. Love it would cut down to 16 inch any day.
I have been using 55g V Max at 3200 f/sec but have just started working up a 75gr A Max load. I'm getting over 3000 f/sec, not bad out of 16 inch. But at this stage have not settled on a final load for it.

Originally Posted by Im2lazy

Yep 16" 1:8. Love it would cut down to 16 inch any day.
I have been using 55g V Max at 3200 f/sec but have just started working up a 75gr A Max load. I'm getting over 3000 f/sec, not bad out of 16 inch. But at this stage have not settled on a final load for it.

Whats your load for 3200 fps from a 16 inch tube if you don't mind me asking?

Cheers

Whats your load for 3200 fps from a 16 inch tube

26.1gr of BM2 with a CCI primer. It's not over hot but just seems to work really well and with low ES

Cool, thanks for that. I clearly have a slow barrel because I'm running more BM2 than that out of a 22 inch tube and only getting marginally faster speeds

General consensus seems to be to chop it so I sent it off to the gunsmith this afternoon.

Cheers all.

16" at the moment, 14.5" hopefully by next week. 16" would be a good general purpose length for .223, maybe 18" if you like to stretch it out.

my Brno was 20 inches. Quite a bark and muzzle flash at night. Sold it before I put a can on it.
Still very accurate though.

My Zastava has a 19" barrel (was 22") and a GW lightweight overbarrel suppressor.

I'm using BM2 powder and either Nosler Shots, V-max's and Blitzkings (all 55gr) with between 24.0 and 24.9gr of powder.
Dunno what speeds they're doing, as I have only been interested in nice tight groupings rather than speed.

Just checked the primer pocket. seem fine to me.

16 inch barrelled Brno Fox, rechambered to .223 - handiest, lightest gun I own.

T3 Tikka 223 1:12" twist.

Measured by closing the bolt and dropping a cleaning rod down the muzzle. Length = 16".

Fitted ASE Jet-Z CQT can.

I measured the velocity at 3250fps when the barrel was 22". After its operation it was 3050fps. So I am happy with that. Ties in with what this web site had to say about shortening a 223 barrel.
Effects of reducing barrel length on velocity

I fired of some rounds when I put the scope on it. Nothing fancy, just got the scope aligned and put 4 shots down range at 100yards one after the other, no resting in between.

I must admit I was surprised at the accuracy of this little rifle.



Dont get too hung up on where I had the calipers etc. I was in a rush. But it pretty darn good. That is 1/3" MOA. Four shot group too not 5, I will do something serious when I get time.



The load was 25 grains of 2208 under a Hornady flat base SP 55gn pill.



.

Recently I purchased a T3 Tikka in 223 1:12" twist. Second hand.

It had a 22" barrel. Measured t by closing the bolt and dropping a cleaning rod down the muzzle. Length = 22".

I had it shortened to 16" and fitted my ASE Jet-z CQT can.

I measured the velocity at 3250fps when the barrel was 22". After its operation it was 3050fps. So I am happy with that. Ties in with what this web site had to say about shortening a 223 barrel.
Effects of reducing barrel length on velocity

I fired of some rounds when I put the scope on it. Nothing fancy, just got the scope aligned and put 4 shots down range at 100yards one after the other, no resting in between.

I must admit I was surprised at the accuracy of this little rifle.



Dont get too hung up on where I had the calipers etc. I was in a rush. But it pretty darn good.


The load was 25 grains of 2208 under a Hornady flat base SP 55gn pill.


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