223 Barrel length?

[shootmore]

My son at age 12, using a F-TR 30" .223 with 1:6.5 twist (Krieger) and 90 grain bullets with Varget at 1,000 yards earned 174/200 point score at the Berger Nationals 2018 in 24mph winds. He said "Dad I had to hold 3 targets over!". On the same relay, it was all I could do to keep up with him using my .308, squeaked out a family win at 175/200.

Our 20" AR15 gas guns will hold better than a 10" group at 600 yards. 1:7.7 twist (Krieger), 80grain bullets VV N140. 77's hold a fairly good group too. Same kid at 16 held a 2" group at 200 yards 10X rapid fire with a mag change. That's 1 MOA. That AR will hold a half MOA off the bench. Varget ~24.o grains, Sierra Match Kings 77gr. ~2,750 fps

Currently building .223 bolt gun for hunting, 1:7.5 twist Shilen, Wylde chamber, it will end up 24". I expect 1/2 MOA at 100 yards with Varget and 77gr. Match Kings.

 

[padom]

I've been shooting 26" bolt guns for many years. Built my son one for his 10th bday almost 4 years ago.

He shoots 75 ELD'S @ 3000 with H4895 and I shoot 80 Amaxs at 2900 with H4895. Varget shoots excellent as well but H4895 is a little faster. Both have equal accuracy. All are 223 Wylde chambers. I have a new 223rem.match reamer I had made with 0.080 freebore I'm about to chamber a Hawk Hill with...

https://imgur.com/GaywvIi

https://imgur.com/0IBRjkO

 

[shootmore]

I've been shooting 26" bolt guns for many years. Built my son one for his 10th bday almost 4 years ago.

He shoots 75 ELD'S @ 3000 with H4895 and I shoot 80 Amaxs at 2900 with H4895. Varget shoots excellent as well but H4895 is a little faster. Both have equal accuracy. All are 223 Wylde chambers. I have a new 223rem.match reamer I had made with 0.080 freebore I'm about to chamber a Hawk Hill with...

https://imgur.com/GaywvIi

https://imgur.com/0IBRjkO

Tite!

 

[AWS]

I spent 25 years pelt hunting and doing control.work with an 18" Rem 600 223. I even won.an informal club BR match with it. It did everything I asked and never wanted more
.
My current 223 AR wears a 16" tube and again kills the coyotes I shoot with it.

I guess it really comes down to your needs and expectations. I don't ask a 223 to do things that are easier with a 22-204 or 22-250 even bigger if needed.

 

[kochie]

I guess this really depends on your goals. For me I am competing as a Fullbore rifle so...

30-32”. Light or medium Palma contour.

my service rifles are all 20”

24 for overall 1/8 twist long range paper shooting & varmints long range for more versatile setup go AR route.