223 barrel questions

[Steve]

Ok, tried to do some searches but didn't really find what I was looking for, so here's my question.

Building a 223.

What length barrel for a bolt gun shooting f-class,open) and shooting 80 grainers, sierras or vld's? 24, 26, 28 or 30 inch?

I know the twist of 1:7 or 1:8 depending on which barrel company. I'm not worried about front weight because the stock I have I can add lead shot to the voids from the action back to the butt to balance the gun.

Now another question, chamber size, with Lapua brass do you prefer a tightneck chamber or no turn chamber. I'm lazy so I'd prefer no turn, but if the tightnecks are better....

I asked some of the barrel companys these questions and they pretty much tell you it's up to the customer.

Thanks for the info.

 

[wolfman]

Steve,

I havn't done much work w/ my .223 yet, so take this info w/ a grain of salt. I'm thinking 28" is plenty. Don't forget there's only so much case capacity, and a powder slow enough to take advantage of a long tube is going to run out of spac ein the case. I can give some insight about chambers and neck dimensions. No turn is a huge time saver, and can shoot extremly well. Once you have settled on which brass you want to shoot, you can determine the neck dimension of a loaded round. Once you have that, it's a simple matter of finding a reamer that will cut a chamber with the appropriate clearance. Don't forget throat length either. Having a throat long enough to seat the bullet to the lands w/o having the base protruding down into the case, eating up valuable powder capacity makes a bit difference.

 

[rob223]

Hi i am new to this forum, like the gun talk, been at this sport for 37 yrs mainly 223 and 243 fan, and dis place 3rd and 4th place with a 243 back in the 90"s in the f class 1000yd ontario annual with the 243. Wish i had had the bullets we have to-day.
I think a good f class 223 would do well with a 28inch barrel and a 1in 8 twist for bullets up to 80grs, the lotharwalter has worked fine for me. Alot of people talk about accuacy but i have seen many a guy out shoot thier competitor with a slightley lesser gun, i find that most people dont shoot what some of these great rifles to-day can give in accuracy. I think any rifle that shoots a half inch or under can win almost any f class match if the shooter is experienced in the act of shooting and windage for sure, its all math,experience, and shooter performance.

 

[Travelor]

A friend and I both bought Savage 12 LRPV's in 223 with 28" 1:7 twist barrels. I would not go with a slower twist than 1:7 for F-Class as the heavier bullets require at least 1:7. These work well out to 1000 yards. BUT we had to ahve the barrels rechambered, recrowned, and lapped before they wopuld shoot well. If I were to do it over, I would buy an action and have a Krieger barrel put on and build a gun rather than spend the money for the gun AND having the barrel reworked.

I also would not get a barrel shorter than 28" if you are going to shoot 1000 yards. Think of it like cubic inches in a auto engine. Up to a point more is always better.

George