New barrel for my .223 project

[lani]

Hi im about to begin a .223 project with a Sako .222 Vixen action. I have not yet decided wich barrel manufactor to buy from.
I want it to be a match-grade fluted barrel as short as I can get it and still shoot tight groups.

Do you guys have any suggestions ?? Brand, rate of twist, length of barrel ?

Lasse
Denmark.

 

[rstreich]

I have a personal preference for Krieger barrels, but I doubt that you would find much difference down range between Krieger, Broughton, Hart, Shilen, Border, or any of several others that just haven't come to mind. All have great products and great customer service. I think I'm partial to Krieger mostly 'cause I like cheeseheads,people from the state of Wisconsin that is). If I were you, I'd get a 5R from Border.

I set my .223 up with a 13" twist 'cause I wanted to shoot little bullets--up to 60 grains. With a 24" barrel and a case full of Varget, it's been highly effective on PDs out over 500 yards. You're going to have to decide what bullet weight range you want to shoot to get any recommendations on twist rate.

My brother loves his 21"-barreled .223. He had one at 18.5", but the muzzle blast was annoying. So, he'd say that 21" is just about right.

What extractor do you have on your Vixen? The long or the short? If it's a long one,about 3cm), be careful that you don't lose it with a pierced primer or some other reloading mishap unless you have a source for replacements. If you have a source for replacements, send me a note so I can get a few.

robert

 

[lani]

It seems I have a very long extractor, since its almost 4,5cm.. I'm not sure if I have a source to get some, I have to look into that and return for an answer.

I think I will use bullets between 55 and 70 grains, mostly for roebuck but also fox. Somebody told me, that I couldn't go wrong with 8" of twist ??

Does anyone in here have any experience with barrels from Shultz&Larsen ?? its a Danish rifle manufacture that sell cut barrels.

Lani

 

[mikeinct]

hi Lani..I just sent my sako 75 SS 223 varmint up to Pac-nor to rebarrel as a tac 20 it is the one in 8 twist varmint contour ..real low miles...I love the gun but hate the 223 cartridge [not enough powder for my taste] I'll sell u that barrel for half the price of a custom ss barrel & I'll pay the shipping..it shot one hole groups with the 60 gr v-max bullet & a modest charge of powder...Not enough whoomp factor for my taste..contact me thru here..mike in ct

 

[foxhunter223]

I think you should check on the barrel thread first as I have been told that the Sako 75's have a different barrel thread to the L461's. Although it could probably be re-cut but that would be more expense.
Pete

 

[Travelor]

I built a 223 Rem using a Krieger barrel on a Remington action. I wanted to be able to shoot 50-55 grain bullets and Krieger recommended 1-12 twist. The gun shoots 52 gr. SMK's in the .2's all day long at 100 yards. I have not tried the 50 gr. BlitzKings,love them) yet due to other stuff occupying my gun time, but I would recommend Kriegers and 1-12 for the lighter 22 bullets.

 

[caroby]

ALL SHILEN SM SS 1.250" OR SMALLER BARRELS $219.95 28" in length or shorter. :thumb:

Call up Bruno.... Pretty sure he has Kriegers in stock...

http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BSS&Category_Code=Specials

 

[Asa_Yam]

All,
Before we go any further with barrel recommendations, READ THE ORIGINAL POST!!!!

Lani lives in Denmark. While Shilen, Kreiger, and other US made barrels are available there, they are often:
- Scarce.
- Expensive.
- Scarce AND expensive, due to international requirements for shipping parts for small arms.

Lani,
I do not own a S&L barrel. From reports from the UK, they have a good reputation. I don't think that you would go wrong by purchasing from S&L.

Other options for you would be to purchase from Border Barrels,Scotland) or Lothar-Walther,Germany).

If your intent is to build a lightweight hunting rifle, I'd say go with a 20" long barrel, possibly in chrome-moly steel. The impact strength of 416R,stainless steel normally used for rifle barrels) can suddenly drop due to cold weather. The transition temperature depends on true alloy composition, and is usually between 0 and -40 F,-18 to -40 C), though some failures have occured even at room temperature. Shultz & Larsen's webpage on barrels, http://www.schultzlarsen.com/barrels.htm ) indicates that they use chrome-moly for hunting barrels. Now you know why.

Lothar-Walther's LW50 steel is another good choice. I understand that LW50 is similar to 17-4 PH. If so, a properly heat treated LW50 barrel may retain most of its impact resistance down to temperatures between -40 and -110 F.

 

[lani]

Hi you all

Thankyou for your inputs, today I ordered a S/L match barrel, 8" of twist, 21" of length, its gonna be grind fluted and cryogen treated, glass blasted and blued to a satin finish. I also ordered a Black/Gray laminate stock in dual thumbhole sporter style from Microfit.

Upon that a Leopold 3,5-14x50 LPS scope, mounted in Sako org. optilock.

Now I just have get thru all the waiting:,

Lani.