optimal barrel length 223

[RegionRat]

Optimal barrel length?

this is in a 223 shooting 300 yds

There is an old saying about "different horses for different courses"....

TLDR: You told us how far, but not what course you plan to run?

Are we shooting field positions body supported as in predator or varmint hunting?
Is this for colony rodents?
Is this for predators and long walks, or can we be very heavy?
Are we shooting only sling prone?
Are we shooting off of a bench rest?
Etc...

Your overall barrel, stock, sights, trigger, action, etc., should be dictated by the type of shooting course you are discussing.

The 300 yards is a piece of cake for a 223 regardless of the bullet type and weight, but it is right after 300 yards where things start to get different. You can even use a 10" Contender for 300 yards.

Keep in mind, a modern M4 carbine barrel will take you to 300 yards, but it might not fit the course of fire you are interested in playing. For better advice, you may want to say what specific type of shooting you want to do.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Optimal barrel length?



There is an old saying about "different horses for different courses"....

TLDR: You told us how far, but not what course you plan to run?

Are we shooting field positions body supported as in predator or varmint hunting?
Is this for colony rodents?
Is this for predators and long walks, or can we be very heavy?
Are we shooting only sling prone?
Are we shooting off of a bench rest?
Etc...

Your overall barrel, stock, sights, trigger, action, etc., should be dictated by the type of shooting course you are discussing.

The 300 yards is a piece of cake for a 223 regardless of the bullet type and weight, but it is right after 300 yards where things start to get different. You can even use a 10" Contender for 300 yards.

Keep in mind, a modern M4 carbine barrel will take you to 300 yards, but it might not fit the course of fire you are interested in playing. For better advice, you may want to say what specific type of shooting you want to do.

Thanks for typing that all out. You are spot on. I would add that trajectory and energy are a bit mediocre in .223. A lot of 223 is too small for predator hunting nonsense you hear is from a 16" AR pushed to extended ranges 300+. Send it from a 26" bolt and the problem is solved to 400 yards.

 

[rebs]

this isa for local club benchrest matches

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I also like 18" AR barrels for hunting suppressed(tramping around). Bench or blind I don't really care 22",24" even 26" with a 9" suppressor is fine. Several of my varmint bolt barrels are 21.75-22", carry them miles(even snowshoeing) never thought boy I need to shorten the barrel, even with a suppressor added.

 

[DGP4]

I saved this article some time ago:

223 Remington/ 5.56mm NATO barrel length and velocity: 26 inches to 6 inches

Have you ever wondered how much barrel length effects muzzle velocity on your rifle? Well I did, so I cut up rifles chambered in 223 Remington, 308 Winchester, 7 mm Remington Magnum and 300 Winche…

rifleshooter.com

 

[Uncle Bruce]

this isa for local club benchrest matches

In that case a 26in. heavy conture that will be made to work in the stock, and make the weight limit if there is any.

 

[Larry Koch]

Optimal barrel length for a 223. is what are you going to be doing at 300 yards. carrying the rifle? bullet weight? How long is a piece of string?

 

[243winxb]

optimal barrel length 223​

Depends on the burn rate of the powder used. 4198 is the fastest. Great in Contenders & 14.5" M16 bbls.

Bullet velocity will slow in a 30" bbl using 4198. Powder stops burning early, friction slows the bullet, before exiting the muzzle.

Happens in 22lr with loooong barrels also.

 

[243winxb]

For accuracy, find the tightest part of the barrel, small groove diameter, cut and crown barrel there.
Should not be needed on a Match Grade barrel.

 

[Seagull]

Run a 22" barrel heavy varmint 1-8 for what we do as a long barrel in pain in the arse to have in the ute . Needed the rifle to fit between the seat and dash . Couldn't have it to long as wouldn't be able to pull the windscreen up when raining.

 

[kochie]

Thanks for typing that all out. You are spot on. I would add that trajectory and energy are a bit mediocre in .223. A lot of 223 is too small for predator hunting nonsense you hear is from a 16" AR pushed to extended ranges 300+. Send it from a 26" bolt and the problem is solved to 400 yards.

24 inches

 

[kochie]

24 inches

i would agree with the above also 22 inch .

 

[rebs]

Thanks guys for all the replies

 

[DiffEQ]

I think 20" is the sweet spot. I have 16"- 26" barrels and think 20 gives good velocity and is still maneuverable.

I only shoot 223 in ARs. I have ARs from 14.7 to 22" barrels.
I find 18" is my suite spot for velocity, handling in the field, and reduction of muzzle blast. IMost of mine don't have a muzzle device.

 

[iukamedic]

Best shooting rifle I have is a 20 inch service rifle. I also have a 14.5 that shoots well. More blast from the 14.5. A tikka varmint shoots well also. The tikka and the service rifle hover around close to the same velocity With the same load. Difference in barrel manufactures. I have seen all lengths shoot Accurately and inaccurately. Eugene Stoner started with the 7.62 round in an ar 10 then at military request came up with the 223 gas operated magazine fed shoulder fired 20 inch wonder. Very interesting man but that’s another rabbit hole. Truth told any length and twist capable of stabilizing the round you desire to shoot will get 300 yards. My vote is for 20 inch if position shooting and shorter if your moving around. I’m gonna edit to add, if you shoot suppressed that short length brings you out to around 20 inches without a whole lot of lost velocity. If you decide to stretch out to say 600 yards you will be glad you have a longer length barrel though.