Long Barrel .223 & Berger Heavies

[palma]

I'd like to hear comments on whether a Berger 80 would be prone to blowing up out of a 32" 1-7" twist barrel. I was hoping to hit better than 3,200fps. Would I be better off with the 90s and less speed?

 

[fivering]

I'm pushing the Berger 80's out of my .223AI, 6.5 twist at over 2950, and have had none come apart yet.

 

[ConnorExum]

I'd like to hear comments on whether a Berger 80 would be prone to blowing up out of a 32" 1-7" twist barrel. I was hoping to hit better than 3,200fps. Would I be better off with the 90s and less speed?

I don't think a .223 rem or .223rem AI will get up to 3,200 fps out of a 32inch tube... I think the barrel will start to yield diminishing velocity results after 28inches. You would probably need something in the 22 Cheetah or 22-250AI or 22BRX or Dasher vain to get those velocities from 80grain bullets. I would be happy with 2900-2950fps from the 223AI from that size tube.

 

[palma]

Behind 27.5g of N550 in a regular .223 match chamber, I'm getting 3,050fps from the 80g bergers out of a 24" barrel. I've had it up to 3,100fps. COAL is slightly over 2.550". Why not 150fps with an extra 8"?

 

[FroggyOne2]

I feel that the 7 twist at that speed might be pushing it and you may be at risk of the bullet comming apart..

 

[palma]

Would I fair better with the moly 80s? What if I slowed the speed by using moly 90s?

 

[ConnorExum]

Behind 27.5g of N550 in a regular .223 match chamber, I'm getting 3,050fps from the 80g bergers out of a 24" barrel. I've had it up to 3,100fps. COAL is slightly over 2.550". Why not 150fps with an extra 8"?

That's a serious load... But if you like it that hot, go for it but I think a 28 inch barrel will do just fine. Anything over that I doubt your cartridge will fill the bore with enough gas pressure to really make the extra length useful to you... For example a 6mm Br will only achieve 6fps for every inch after 28 inches. If you tack on 3 three inches you get @18fps roughly but is it worth the weight and decrease in rigidity of the barrel?

 

[mysticplayer]

I shoot both the 80gr berger and Amax out of a pac nor 5R 7 twist 28" pipe. Wonderfully accurate and no problem reaching WAAAYYYYY out there.

I load mine with Varget to a 'normal' 2850fps. 1/4 min at 200yds is about the average.

LR accuracy is superb.

Jerry