Caliber Advice, Please

[Bully]

Howdy all.

I have a Remmy 223 with a 16.5" 1/9 twist barrel. Rifle is box-stock save the stock. I love shooting it but am not enamoured of the Remington barrel. I love the length but feel that the barrel is not helpful in chasing 100yd accuracy. I haven't done a ton of load development(mostly because it hammers the small steel silhouettes at my range at 100) but it just doesn't seem easy to get solid accuracy.

Plus, I like to fiddle with stuff.

I'm looking at a re-barrel this upcoming winter with an action truing and all and am starting to consider calibers. I'm pretty much wide open on choice but will say that the less brass work it takes the better for me.

Rifle will reside in an HS Precision stock with a Harris bi-pod and a 2.5-10 Vortex on top. I would like to keep barrel length at no more than 18". I will be shooting paper to 300 regularly.

Please post what you would do given my parameters and if you could, the why's of your choice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[swd]

Nothing's wrong with a 223 with a faster twist to take advantage of heavy bullets. The 6x45 is also a fun, efficient and accurate cartridge. Run 223 brass through a die and load. Go 1-8 or 9 and you can shoot 95SMK's with a .490 BC. It performs way out of context for its size.

 

[5spd]

6x45, 1/9"tw, and don't look back.
You will be able to run 55-95g bullets & 300 yds aint nothing with it.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Youre gonna want to run at least a 22" barrel and a 14tw with the 6x45 and shoot 60-70gr bullets. That is my truck gun on a model seven. Ive had one for 15+yrs and done a bunch for br shooters to burn up their short boxes of bullets, 133 powder, and range pickup brass. It works out for many reasons for us but they just dont have the capacity for anything over 90gr in my opinion

 

[Bully]

I'm gonna have to look into the 6x45 for sure. Sounds pretty neat.

I was thinking between the 20Practical and the 223AI but this is a new direction.

 

[fredo]

The 6x45 is a honey!

Seeing as how I run all virgin brass thru a sizer die to get necks in check, opening up .223 brass to .243 is already accounted for. The 6x45 is not finicky at all, shoots well with lots of powder/bullet combos, has super barrel life, and it performs admirably in a short barrel. The fact that you can use milsurp, range pickup, or other readily available .223/5.56 brass holds plenty of appeal, too..

Depending on your AO & desire to lob heavier bullets, I'd go with a 1:8 twist. Guys out west in thin air/higher elevation might get away with a 1:9, but it won't stabilize a 95 at lower ASLs & 6x45 velocity. I've had 1:10 and 1:12 twist 6x45s , and now a 1:8 6x45AI, and 1:8 is what I'd do again in the future. The faster twist will still shoot lighter 55-70gr bullets just fine. Just use your head when determining freebore length for whatever bullet(s) you'll shoot most. Short/no freebore & heavy bullets are too restrictive to such a small case, you want them seated out long where the bullet isn't taking up precious, usable powder space...

A .20Prac would be cool, but down is not the way I'd neck .223 brass for use in an 18" barrel. You'd want a 22-26" to get a .204 caliber to rock & roll. But when ya neck up to 6mm and keep the barrel short, you'll have a dandy little rifle to enjoy...

Good luck!

 

[stacy]

223 ACKLEY IS A FINE CARTRIDGE I LIKED MINE SO GOOD I'M BUILDING ME ANOTHER ONE TO SHOOT HEAVY'S BULLETS OUT OF !!!!!!

 

[Bully]

How does the 223AI do from a short-ish barrel?

I'd want to push 77's from an 8tw I'm thinking.

 

[stacy]

IT WOULDN'T PREFORM AT ITS BEST WITH A SHORT BARREL SPEED WISE OF COURSE BUT IT WOULD STILL PREFORM JUST FINE I'D SAY

 

[Tim Singleton]

Nothing at all wrong with staying with the 223 you are already setup for it.
The 6x45 is a good suggestion and an easy step into a wildcat. You really can't go wrong with either one. Although I would go with a 20" to 22" barrel for the 6x45
I have had a 223ai not much can be seen velocity wise without a longer barrel

 

[Cold Bore]

Agreed on the 6x45. Easy to find brass, easy to form, shoots beyond what you might think of it.

I recently had a 6x47 built that I like a lot, but the issue with that round is the brass. I had a good supply of 222 Rem Mag brass already, so felt comfortable building the x47 version. Then last month, I came across some more new brass and laid 1000 more in for a lifetime supply, since I may not find it again.

Not sure why the restriction to a sub-18" barrel, as I prefer my longer. I don't like the looks, balance, or performance of stubby barrels, but that's me.

 

[Bully]

On the shorter barrel...

I know that performance suffers. No doubt. However I like having my rifles "handy" as nothing I own does one discipline only. If I re-barrel this rifle it will fill several roles. Mostly paper punching, however I would like to take it a bit longer distance, possibly hunt it, and have it ride behind the seat. And if the "fit ever hits the shan" it would be so much easier to get around with.

Plus, I do like the way they look.