223 Rem for FTR, opinions

[DanS]

I am wanting to setup a 223 rem for FTR shooting. Most likely will not shoot past 600 yards with it.

I have a Savage LBRP single shot action with the large shank that I can use. I am thinking of a Hvy Bull factory contour, 26-30 inches long but am not sure how necessary the long barrel is with only shooting to 600. I'll probably shoot 80 gr SMK's. I enjoy the hvy rifles for target shooting, especially when I can watch the impact on gongs out there a ways.

I am asking for opinions here as to barrel length, twist, bullet preference. I do reload.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

From my experience seeing others shoot the 223 and beat me, the barrel needs to be at least an 8 twist. 28" according to the guys shooting 90's is about the same as 30 for speed, and the most popular bullet is the Berger 82 BT. That information is gleened from the internet and accounts from other shooters. I have no personal experience.

I'm going to have to rebarrel one of my varmint rifles this winter, and I'm thinking about making it more F/TR friendly. My thought is that I can practice and shoot mid-range with the 223, and save the heavy, expensive bullets for long range.

 

[Delaware_Ken]

Hey Dan,

I shoot a Savage 12 F/TR in 223. She has a 30" 1/7 twist barrel, and loves 80 grain Berger's in front of Varget. This spring I took her down to a BR shoot and shot it in the Factory division and I won both group and score with it. My best 5 shot Agg. at 600 yards was 2.5" and my final score was 181/200. My pea shooter will also hold its own shooting F/TR against those big bad 308's, and she is a pure pleasure to shoot.

Ken

 

[ColWhitecakes]

I have a re-stocked Model 12 FV that I shoot on and off in mid-range F-TR. It has a 1:9 26" barrel and likes 75gr Amaxs' and 77gr SMKs pretty well in front of Varget and AR Comp. It shoots better than I do at these distances. I find no problems with .223 at the range I compete at, but it is rather sheltered from winds for the most part. When I have the opportunity, I will rebarrel it in 1:8 and probably 28", for reasons noted previously. It is sure a lot easier on the pocket to shoot than my .308.

 

[DanS]

I was hoping to save some money too, with some extra trigger time. However the cost of setting up another rifle may not exactly save me money.

 

[Taildrag15X]

I use a 28" 1-7" twist Krieger set up for 77 & 80gr. Sierra MK's and 77-90gr Berger's.