optimum barrel length in 223ai

[Willoughby]

what is optimum barrel length for velocity gain in a 7 twist 223ai shooting heavy bullets 75-90 gr ?
Im sure there is a cut off point in appreciable velocity gain - and Im sure some one here has the answer , thank you in advance for your response's

 

[GSRswapandslow]

not sure if it was "optimum" or not...but on my last 223ai i went with a 24" barrel. I'm sure i could have gained some speed by going 26 or even 28"..but my rifle was always shot suppressed, so the extra length became a hindrance in respect to balance

 

[savagedasher]

what is optimum barrel length for velocity gain in a 223ai ?
Im sure there is a cut off point in appreciable velocity gain - and Im sure some one here has the answer , thank you in advance for your response's

That would depend on the bullet weight . Larry

 

[Willoughby]

75 -90 gr 7 twist barrel

 

[boltman223]

75 -90 gr 7 twist barrel

With a regular 223 I'd say 30" is minimum if you want to shoot 90's. With a 223ai i would assume you could get up to the desired ~2850 with a 28" barrel.


The pressure with my 90 smk's seems pretty low at a velocity of roughly 2790. I can still see the B on the primer.

I would like to be able to shoot the 90's out of a 28" barrel in a regular 223 and I'm hoping that is possible with the 90 smk's.

With my use (F-TR) I'm trying to get the most out of my rifle so 28" would be the shortest I'd go.

 

[BoilerUP]

I have a 22" 1:7 223 Ackley with a shorter-than-optimal 0.061" freebore.

2950fps with 80gr Amax over 24.9gr 8208XBR, 2750fps with 90gr Berger VLD over 24.9gr Varget.

Velocities per Magnetospeed V2 and verified on steel at 650yd.

 

[Geno C]

I have a 22" 1:7 223 Ackley with a shorter-than-optimal 0.061" freebore.

2950fps with 80gr Amax over 24.9gr 8208XBR, 2750fps with 90gr Berger VLD over 24.9gr Varget.

Velocities per Magnetospeed V2 and verified on steel at 650yd.

I'll try to compared your same load for the 80s and 8208 in my new 30" with a .100" throat this fall

 

[savagedasher]

I'll try to compared your same load for the 80s and 8208 in my new 30" with a .100" throat this fall

34" and it's still going faster . Larry

 

[Geno C]

34" and it's still going faster . Larry

How much faster?

 

[boltman223]

I have a 22" 1:7 223 Ackley with a shorter-than-optimal 0.061" freebore.

2950fps with 80gr Amax over 24.9gr 8208XBR, 2750fps with 90gr Berger VLD over 24.9gr Varget.

Velocities per Magnetospeed V2 and verified on steel at 650yd.

I was getting 2940 with 80 smk's out regular 223 with a 28" barrel. 25.1 gr varget. I noticed primer pockets getting a little loose after about four or five rounds. They stayed in, just a little looser is all.

 

[Phil]

34" and it's still going faster . Larry

Damn.............

I`m @ 30" on my .223AI and i thought that was long..........

Phil.

 

[Geno C]

Alright... Since we're gonna be getting into a measuring contest, I better order a 36"!

 

[DHD]

I had mine cut to 27" minus brake which equals 2950 with 80.5 Fullbore and/or 82LRBT. I have noticed my rifle prefers to run the bullets listed at 2925-2950. I'm also not killing the brass at this velocity.

At my elevation (325) it takes 12.25 moa of up to get to 600 yards. Flat shooting sucker for the amount of powder used.

 

[stacy]

MINES GOING TO BE 30'' ALSO CANT WAIT !!!!!!!!!

 

[Baddog0302]

Alright... Since we're gonna be getting into a measuring contest, I better order a 36"!

If you go over 28" you will need to a case that has a 50" ID length, or take your rifle to the range in two pieces; bbl.action & stock.