223 with 20" barrel load?

[Josh11]

I have a barrel with a 7.7 twist and its only 20" long. My question is, would this be able to shoot the 80 grain bergers like i would like to do? Or am i limited on a lighter bullet? Such as the 75 Amax?

 

[rminut]

80 grain Bergers and Amax's worked very well in my 7.7 Krieger.

 

[Scott Harris]

Playing devil's advocate (as I so like to do ;D). What is the point of using an expensive bullet that improves your long range wind drift a little bit and then using a barrel that reduces the velocity 200-300 fps, thereby negating anything you sought with the bullet. 75-Amaxes are very good and very cheap. That would be my choice, because you setup is not optimal for 600+ yard shooting ...and that is the only place I pay up for Berger bullets.

 

[rminut]

believe it or not rifle matches have existed for many years before F class came along and rules do exist limiting barrel length. Service rifle AR=20" barrel.

 

[Josh11]

Well, stupid me bought two pounds of varget. I knew is should have went with another powder.

 

[queen_stick]

Well, stupid me bought two pounds of varget. I knew is should have went with another powder.

Try it out before you get bummed out about it...

 

[mac86951]

Well, stupid me bought two pounds of varget. I knew is should have went with another powder.

Varget will do just fine. Reloader 15, H4895, N140, and AR-Comp do well (stick powders). CFE223, H335 are examples of Ball powders that will do well too.

Varget is the go to for 69gr, and works well in my 77gr loadings. I'm moving to N140 cause I found some, where I can't normally get Varget, I've done the same with all the above powders and have load workups for all of them.

-Mac

 

[Josh11]

I got this rifle on a trade. It has a stiller action and a Krieger hv barrel. I have five year old son. My thoughts are to teach him to shoot on this rifle. It's going into a cheap (but good stock) for now. As he will continue to shoot on a .22 for a couple more years. I shoot a 6x47 lapua at 600 for fclass now. With my 105 hybrids, it's like cheating. Shooting a 223 will defiantly help my wind reading skills. When the time comes, it might get a long barrel and ftr stock on it.

 

[Beau]

Well, stupid me bought two pounds of varget. I knew is should have went with another powder.

That's too bad you bought the best powder in the World for 75/77/80gr .223.

 

[amlevin]

One thing I've seen with 20" barrels, especial if in a heavy profile, is that they can be accurate as all get out. Yes, you give up some speed but they aren't as hard to tune a load for. At least that's what I've noticed. There have been some tests as well that tend to substantiate this. Those bullets traveling 5-7% slower may still hit in the exact same places as the faster ones.

 

[Roarke]

Josh,
Invest in the Litz books on exterior ballistics. Money well spent and they'll help you understand twist rate requirements, wind drift, statistics, etc.

 

[rockcreek1]

Josh,

I am very fond of short barreled rifles and while I realize that some velocity is lost, I don't feel that any accuracy is.


jmho,
Jim

 

[Rtheurer]

Wonder what your freebore is? Hope you don't have to push that long 80gr into the case to make it work in your rifle? That would be a waste.

Varget, R15, H4895, N140, all have been used to win national Championships in the lil 223 and 20" rifle barrel.

Russ T

 

[MDM]

My experience in the past few months with long and short barrels in 223 in bolt guns.

27" 7.7 Bartlien = 25 varget/80 vld at 2920

17" 7 Green Mountiain =25 varget/80 vld at 2800

18" 8 Green Mountain = 25 varget/75amax at 2900

26" 7.7 Bartlien = 24.8 Varget/75 vld at 2950

 

[Rtheurer]

Josh

While testing ammo on sunday I shot this six shot group at 600 yards out of a AR Flat Top upper in 223. 20" Krieger 1:7.7twist Wilde Chamber. 80gr SMK's Varget CCI Primers in LC brass.

Should be just fine im thinking.

RT

 

[lilgreg]

That is a mighty fine 600 yd group