Is 223 AI what I need?

[Kaianuanu]

Hey guys new member here. I almost done putting together a (relatively) lightweight AR-15 build for coyote hunting and general use. I’m in the home stretch and I’m now thinking about building a second upper. I want to take this rifle somewhere out west on a coyote hunting trip and I’m starting to question the ballistic capabilities of my caliber and barrel for hunting in open country. I currently have a 16” 1:8 twist 223 wylde but I’m thinking about buying the same barrel in an 18” 1:8 twist and having it reamed out to 223 AI, as this seems to be a better option than doing a 22 nosler considering the limited barrel, brass, and ammo availability. I’m thinking this would give me a significant bump up in performance in the 400 to 500 yard range over the 16” 223 wylde. I’m not looking to shoot much outside of 50-65 grain bullets, and Ideally I’ll be able to get good groups out of a 53 grain V-Max loaded hot. So, will an 18” 223 AI give me what I want? Will a 1:8 twist give me trouble stabilizing lighter varmint bullets at the higher velocities I want to achieve? Thanks for your help in advance and feel free to share any results, load info, experiences, and opinions you may have.

 

[shadrac]

i have a 223 ai that i use coyote hunting mine is 1-9 twist i use 69 grain sierra tmk at 3250 fps it is flat shooting and knocks the snot out of them

 

[rockrat]

Or you could pick up a 24" 223 barrel and probably gain the same velocity increase. Never tried one in an AR, but have seen somewhere that the AI might be a bit finicky WRT feeding the AI case.
My bolt gun AI gets 3600 out of the 53vmax and 26" bbl.

 

[boltfluter]

i have a 223 ai that i use coyote hunting mine is 1-9 twist i use 69 grain sierra tmk at 3250 fps it is flat shooting and knocks the snot out of them

Exactly what I was thinking. Beyond 300 yrds the extra BC and plastic tips give you a huge advantage compared to a 53 gr bullet.

Paul

 

[Hotshot]

The 1.5 grain of powder increase of a 223AI never did anything magic for me. You should go to the trouble of finding 22Nosler brass, then you can enjoy a significant performance increase. I live in the west, I shoot coyotes and I've tried all this stuff.

 

[46and2]

The 1.5 grain of powder increase of a 223AI never did anything magic for me. You should go to the trouble of finding 22Nosler brass, then you can enjoy a significant performance increase. I live in the west, I shoot coyotes and I've tried all this stuff.

How long does your primer pockets last on the 22 Nosler cases? What was your load? Was it much faster than a 223AI? I thought about building one.

 

[Hotshot]

I have nosler and starline brass(I think they are the same thing). I have had no primer pocket issues but 3 firings is the most I've loaded. 32grains of H414 and 60grain Vmax is a very mild load in my rifles and very accurate. I was shooting prairie dogs last week and the trajectory is distinctly flatter than my 223. I shot many dogs 300-400 yards and taught them some acrobatic tricks, under 300 just tore them to pieces. I have not chronographed this load.

 

[LVLAaron]

I'd just get a longer barrel and stick to 223. 20 or 22 inch. Then you're not burning up your new barrel fire forming 223ai brass.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Bolt guns, 223A.

Gas guns 223.

 

[AWS]

I've hunted most of the west, WA, NV, MT, CO, UT, AZ, and NM and a plain 223 will serve you well. For a number of years(1970's) I did control work in NW-MN and E-ND with a 223, I never felt under gunned. My favorites out west are the 20 Practical 40gr NBT, 222 Rem with 52gr Speers, 223 and 5.6x50R with the same. I do shoot a 22-204 with 40gr NBT's for pelt hunting. I do own a couple of 22-250's but they only go out too clear the cobwebs.

If your calling coyotes or preds you don't need to reach across the county.