7 twist on a 26" .223

[mac86951]

Went with a 1:7 bartlein 4 groove. Heavy varmint profile. I hope i dont blow those 55s up...

Now the question is, which length do i finish it. Thinking 22" for now.

Thanks for all the input so far guys.

Longer the better. 55s will be fine.

For 69-82 you'll want the length for velocity it's ~25fps per inch in 223.

24" is allowing me an easy 2900 with Berger 70 VLDs and my brass will last a long time (standard 223 SAAMI)

My 20" I'm competing locally where we've limited to 77gr max to keep costs down; 2500-2600 is doable with several powders, and 2700 is possible with the right powder, but it's not available all the time. (Wylde chamber). For 600y, I'm having to keep a supply of the right powder as I can find it, a 24-26" barrel solves that problem.

Now to beat the wind, I'll see about a 599 yard barrel... At least I can set it back.

-Mac

 

[Fingi]

Longer the better. 55s will be fine.

For 69-82 you'll want the length for velocity it's ~25fps per inch in 223.

24" is allowing me an easy 2900 with Berger 70 VLDs and my brass will last a long time (standard 223 SAAMI)

My 20" I'm competing locally where we've limited to 77gr max to keep costs down; 2500-2600 is doable with several powders, and 2700 is possible with the right powder, but it's not available all the time. (Wylde chamber). For 600y, I'm having to keep a supply of the right powder as I can find it, a 24-26" barrel solves that problem.

Now to beat the wind, I'll see about a 599 yard barrel... At least I can set it back.

-Mac

Ok so im revisiting the barrel dilema from a few months back hehe.

Barreled action arrived at my gunsmith today and now its time for a final decision on the chamber and barrel length (could have sworn i was over this hump already).

Is leaning towards a wylde chamber smart considering im more interested on accuraccy for this gun?

I dont reload but i will in the future. Right now im limited to commercial loads but in a few years ill move back to the states, and reloading will be a option.

Commercial loads available to me right now are the whole gamut of 55gr .223s and 5.56s out there, 62gr hornadys and 68gr sierras.

77s are around but harder to find.

Gun will be a trainer for the most part. No hunting. 600yds max and 200yds regularly gun.

I just dont want to make a decision that may cut my options down the road.

 

[Fingi]

Also, I thought i was settled on going 22"... Now i am again open to suggestions.

Do i lose much down from 26"

 

[mac86951]

Ok so im revisiting the barrel dilema from a few months back hehe.

Barreled action arrived at my gunsmith today and now its time for a final decision on the chamber and barrel length (could have sworn i was over this hump already).

Is leaning towards a wylde chamber smart considering im more interested on accuraccy for this gun?

I dont reload but i will in the future. Right now im limited to commercial loads but in a few years ill move back to the states, and reloading will be a option.

Commercial loads available to me right now are the whole gamut of 55gr .223s and 5.56s out there, 62gr hornadys and 68gr sierras.

77s are around but harder to find.

Gun will be a trainer for the most part. No hunting. 600yds max and 200yds regularly gun.

I just dont want to make a decision that may cut my options down the road.

For possible 5.56 I'd recommend the wylde chamber. Still shoots 69s fine, and give you possibility to load 80s when you want.
-Mac

 

[mac86951]

For possible 5.56 I'd recommend the wylde chamber. Still shoots 69s fine, and give you possibility to load 80s when you want.
-Mac

Yes, go 26" or as long as possible. 600-800y you'll need it

 

[Fingi]

Noted, changing my work order.

Thanks

 

[mac86951]

Noted, changing my work order.

Thanks

On average 25 fps per inch loss. Difference is 100fps, which is a deal breaker at 600y

9" of drop and 2.5" per 10mph wind difference in the 100fps increase for my match load 77 Sierra going 2600.

Service rifle barrel, limited to 20". I'd rather a 24+ if I could.

 

[Fingi]

One last question.

Are M16 extractors as reliable on .223 guns as they are on the .308s and other caliber bolts?

Having one installed but all the opinions are from guns chambered in cals other than .223.

PTG didn't even offer the cut on the one piece bolt with a .223 bolt face as an option.

 

[rmist]

I shoot a 223, 7 twist 30" barrel with 80.5 grain bergers. I was looking to shoot the 90's but couldn't find any. The 80.5's got me to master classification in one summer of F TR matches mid range (600 yards). I would seriously look into these bullets. Very easy to tune with the right free bore.
Good luck with your decisions

 

[mac86951]

One last question.

Are M16 extractors as reliable on .223 guns as they are on the .308s and other caliber bolts?

Having one installed but all the opinions are from guns chambered in cals other than .223.

PTG didn't even offer the cut on the one piece bolt with a .223 bolt face as an option.

Unsure, but the m16 was 223...

 

[Fingi]

Unsure, but the m16 was 223...

Hehe.

Maybe ill just call LRI tomorrow and ask them directly.

All of the contributions shared here have and still are of tremendous help to me. Now the wait for the build begins...

Thanks!!!

 

[vmaxpro]

If it helps, ive had quite a few 7 twist 223's and it shot 35gr vmax's up to 80 amaxes very well for 1000's of rounds. Anywhere from 20" to 32" length.

 

[boltman223]

Snip-I just dont want to make a decision that may cut my options down the road.

I'd go with a longer freebore if possible then. Something around .120 for the 80's. The wylde chamber works fine. I used it for a year with 80 smk's. With bergers going the .070 freebore is pretty short. .100 plus freebore is better in my opinion. the longer freebore opens up some room for powder which could allow you to find the next higher node also. And you won't be hammering the brass while at the higher velocity. I'm using .169 with my 80' smk's and life is good. I've also started using the 90 smk's, thankfully I have the longer freebore. Kind of like having the best of both worlds.

For length my vote goes for 28".

 

[savagedasher]

I would go for a 8 T and get a reamer that just puts the boat tail foward of the donut with 69 GR Larry

 

[boltman223]

I would go for a 8 T and get a reamer that just puts the boat tail foward of the donut with 69 GR Larry

Why 8t and such a short freebore?

 

[savagedasher]

Why 8t and such a short freebore?

I don't think the case has enough capicity to shoot bullets heaver then 80 gr. The change to AI would be a better choice Larry

 

[savagedasher]

Why 8t and such a short freebore?

I don't think the case has enough capicity to shoot bullets heaver then 80 gr. The change to AI would be a better choice Larry

 

[boltman223]

I don't think the case has enough capicity to shoot bullets heaver then 80 gr. The change to AI would be a better choice Larry

Have you seen what people are doing with the 223 (standard/non AI) and 90's?

 

[savagedasher]

Have you seen what people are doing with the 223 (standard/non AI) and 90's?

No I haven't Hope it is good Larry

 

[boltman223]

No I haven't Hope it is good Larry

Ok well, look at some results from some matches. Load up some 90's in a 223. Talk to Gstaylorg,skiutah02, Laurie, myself along with numerous others on here and I bet this will change↓↓↓↓↓

I don't think the case has enough capicity to shoot bullets heaver then 80 gr. The change to AI would be a better choice Larry