.223 AI and 75gr ELD's

[linebaugh]

I am looking at a new build in .223AI and to be honest until recently I have given the .223 no thought. After reading about the velocity obtainable with the .223AI and 70-80gr bullets in 26 inch tubes I am talking myself into the idea of one.

Anybody with experience who wants to chime in and tell me their thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Talk me into or out of the cartridge and that bullet weight, either way just let me know the good, bad and ugly... though I suspect there will probably only he good.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hoodoo]

I am looking at a new build in .223AI and to be honest until recently I have given the .223 no thought. After reading about the velocity obtainable with the .223AI and 70-80gr bullets in 26 inch tubes I am talking myself into the idea of one.

Anybody with experience who wants to chime in and tell me their thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Talk me into or out of the cartridge and that bullet weight, either way just let me know the good, bad and ugly... though I suspect there will probably only he good.

Thanks in advance.

Are you stuck on the .224 caliber? I know it's been mentioned a ton recently, but the 20 cal bullets are where it's at for me. I'd look at a 20 cal based of the 223 case.

 

[Cuando]

The .223AI and 75 ELD's is a serious combo.

You will love it.

Fire forming while smacking steel or killing varmints is fun and with it's great bbl life, makes the guys whining about forming brass kinda funny.

 

[Evlshnngns]

I was tempted to do the AI, plenty of favorable reviews on here. I ended up with a 7 twist .223 "Match" from CBI. This lets me shoot in the F/TR mid range class that is local.

 

[fredo]

DO IT

 

[linebaugh]

Are you stuck on the .224 caliber? I know it's been mentioned a ton recently, but the 20 cal bullets are where it's at for me. I'd look at a 20 cal based of the 223 case.

Twenty is not an option for a few reasons. I am not against the idea as I have contemplated a .20 BR.
Due to a change of plans I happen to have a 7twisht .224 barrel sitting on my bench and a nice scope and rings as well. I think I have a timney in a drawer as well.
I also need to stay .224 caliber as I will use it at times to compete in local matches that require .224 or larger. The gun will be shot to 1000 yards on occassion and 850ish at most matches.

 

[linebaugh]

The .223AI and 75 ELD's is a serious combo.

You will love it.

Fire forming while smacking steel or killing varmints is fun and with it's great bbl life, makes the guys whining about forming brass kinda funny.

I have a few ackleys so fire forming doesn't even come on my radar as a problem. As you said, accuracy has always been good enough to hunt, slap steel or even informal target shoot.

 

[CharlieNC]

Don't know your intended applications but with the performance I get with the standard 223 vs the anticipated gain with the AI, I decided it was not worth the effort. In a 22" barrel the 75Amax runs 3000fps, and exhibits consistent drop out to 1000yd; the windage improvement with AI was not enough to motivate changing.

 

[shoot4fun]

I have a 26" 7.7 twist .223 and a 22" 7.7 twist .223 Ackley. Shooting the Berger 80 grain ahead of Varget in the former I get 2,980 FPS. Shooting the same bullet ahead of AA2520 in the shorter Ackley I get 3,088 FPS.
Both display very good accuracy and both have plenty of steam to be on target at 1,000 yards but the Ackley is a win-win in my mind. You should get some very good performance with it and still have the ability to shoot the .223 round there as well.

 

[linebaugh]

Don't know your intended applications but with the performance I get with the standard 223 vs the anticipated gain with the AI, I decided it was not worth the effort. In a 22" barrel the 75Amax runs 3000fps, and exhibits consistent drop out to 1000yd; the windage improvement with AI was not enough to motivate changing.

I agree but I am the guy who has to have an improved case just because. Wildcats always tempt me! You are 100% correct though and especially so in this case but again I am that guy.

A couple quick thoughts on why to go ackley from my POV.
I hate trimming brass.
Anything a vanilla .223 will do the ackley will do with less pressure extending bbl and brass life a bunch.
I need to stay below 3200 fps and above about 3050 so the ackley in 26" should easily get me there and let me find a node or sweet spot some place in between. This will be especially easy when I set the throat for the 75 ELD and have the 2.55" qvailable OAL of an AI mag.
You can fire form with incredible accuracy at times and at .5 or better accuracy nearly always.

 

[linebaugh]

I have a 26" 7.7 twist .223 and a 22" 7.7 twist .223 Ackley. Shooting the Berger 80 grain ahead of Varget in the former I get 2,980 FPS. Shooting the same bullet ahead of AA2520 in the shorter Ackley I get 3,088 FPS.
Both display very good accuracy and both have plenty of steam to be on target at 1,000 yards but the Ackley is a win-win in my mind. You should get some very good performance with it and still have the ability to shoot the .223 round there as well.

This is the exact info I wanted to see. I want to use AA2520 so I can load off my dillon and you just showed me how much potential there is for velocity. Thank you so much for this reply. I acually read some of your posts on the .223AI in deciding on this caliber. I wish my tube was a 7.5 or 7.7 twist but since I screwed up and bought the farm already I need to use my 7 twist blank.

Again. Thank you.

If you have any load data you would be willing to PM me I would appreciate it.

 

[fredo]

P.S.
On par with shoot4fun info...

My 26" 1:7.7tw 75amax load runs @ 3105fps with formed cases. Very mild load, round primers & easy extraction. Shot just as well @ ~1/2 gr more Varget for 3160 fps, with minimal primer flattening, but I like it backed down for a margin of error when shooting quick follow ups in warm weather...

AI mags are ok, but I much prefer the polymer MDT mags. They'll fit 10 formed cases, and allow plenty of OAL...

HAVE FUN!

 

[LitLBoy]

Don't over look 8208XBR and the Berger 80's are hard to beat. the 8208 goes through a Dillon measure very nice.
LitLBoy

 

[steve123]

I'm just getting into 223AI.

For the first time with it yesterday, no load developement yet with swagged medium load using 88gr ELDM. Friends and I were pounding a 15" plate at 981Y.

I expected more wind drift but it wasn't to be. .545BC at 2800 fps does well in the wind, not far behind my trusty 6x47L. GS fubarred, throated too short, which will be fixed soon, and the pressure signs were non existent with 24.5 grains Varget. I think high 28's will be possible eventually.

It's just so pleasant to shoot, even without a brake.

 

[Cuando]

What OAL are you running with your short throat and 88's?

 

[steve123]

What OAL are you running with your short throat and 88's?

It's 2.525" but my rifle is set up as a single shot bench rifle so I want the bottom of the bearing surface just above the NS junction.

 

[Montana89]

Concur with going with the AI, unless you are planning to shoot precision rifle matches "limited class." If using an AI, this will put you in the open class. Not shooting any matches, then in my opinion, the AI is the way to go in regards to the .223.

 

[varmintshooter]

I have tried a couple 22-250's and 22-250 AI's but keep going back to my 223AI. Like others have said it's a great cartridge. Cheap and easy to load for, good barrel life, low recoil. I have a CBI barrel on two 223AI and am very happy with them.

 

[linebaugh]

Does anybody have the correct throat length for this combo? I plan to order a reamer next week. From what I can figure it looks like I will be in the .165 area.

Also what brass is showing the best results? I typically run lapua when I can but I have read several reviews that in the case of the .223, lapua is not a stand out. It looks like the hornady brass is performing well?

 

[dcnyli]

Think a 95gr can get up to 3100ish in a 223ai with max 23-24" barrel?