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Please give input

Hello,
I'm getting ready to rebarrel a Savage LRPV from 204R to 223Rem. I need some expert advice on two things.
First, What would be the best barrel length so as to not be way too long as I will be putting a heavy straight taper barrel with a muzzle dia of 1", yet still let me set it back and rechamber after I wear out the throat.
Second, What twist? My range is limited to 300 yds and all this rifle does it punch paper, so I see no need to try shooting anything much heavier than 75-80 gns, probably mostly will be shooting 68 or 69 gn, but want to occasionally experiment with heavier stuff.. What would be the fastest twist that would properly stabilize an 80 gr bullet at 223R velocities?
Thanks for the input
 
Do what length you like. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. By the time a 223 needs a set back the barrel is pretty much toast. It’s not like a 22-250 where throats move real fast. 3k-5k round count barrels are a waste of time to put money into and a 223 should make it that far.

An 8” would be the most versatile especially if heavies are on the list. You can shoot just about anything under 90gr.
 
No expert here, but I would start with a 25 inch barrel, allowing it to be set/cut back to 24 when you re-chamber.
As for twist 1/9 will work just right for your purposes.
 
28" 8tw, throated for the 80 gr. SMK around 2.5", jam a bunch of Varget in a Lapua case and set it off with a BR4, go have a bunch of fun. Don't worry about set back...
 
Unless you'll be doing all your shooting at around 6000ft elevation or higher, a 9tw at 223 speeds, will be marginal at best even with the 75's so if you plan on ever shooting 75 grainers or heavier, you definitely want an 8tw.

As for profile and or length, as has already been mentioned, personal choice. The 223 doesn't shoot a great deal of powder so length isn't really all that big of a deal. For me, I like 223 bolt guns with a Rem Varmint/Sendero contour and 20-22 inches in length, but I run most everything suppressed so I generally go a little shorter than others. Unless you really abuse the barrel by getting it hot and continue to keep blazing away at it, 223 throats last a long time, so if you aren't shooting it suppressed, there is no way I'd ever go longer than 26 and probably compromise at 24.

My 223AI has a Hart 9tw finished at 22, or is it 20?, anyway, it's throated longish but not super long so I can still shoot the lighter bullets without jumping them a ton. For the most part all I've ever shot in it is the 53gr Vmax and they shoot exceptionally well and do a serious number on coyotes.
 
Take a look at Northland Shooters Supply and select Criterion barrels. Check out the 223 Rem Match barrel. It has a longer throat for heavier bullets. For 300 yds and under, not much reason to go over 26 inches, and I can tell you that my buddy's 28 inch bull stainless in 6mmBR is awfully nose heavy in a Bobby Hart stock.

Give'm a call and you'll find Jim very helpful. FWIW, I've bought Criterion, Shilen and Select Shilen from NSS. They all shoot extremely well.
 
Since you are making the switch anyway why not get a 223 AI? You will not be sorry. Shoots right along with a 204 Ruger with a slightly heavier bullet.....If you're looking for performance get the 28".....I have the Varmint taper in 223 AI and it is a dead accurate rifle!

http://northlandshooterssupply.com/barrels/criterion-savage/

BTW the varmint taper gives you some play room with the length as far as weight is concerned....
 
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I have a number of 223; one for fclass has a 30in 6.8 twist to shoot 90gr heavies. My fun gun has a 22in 8 twist that shoots 75gr A max nearly as accurately, with adequate vertical uniformity to shoot steel consistently at 1000yd. A similar setup would serve your needs well, with longer range capability should the need arise. Overall a 22in is my favorite to achieve accuracy, handling, and decent velocity performance.
 
I have a 26" 9twist savage varmint, .8" at the muzzle that feels good balance wise. My 28" 7tw bull, 1" at muzzle is heavy, and I like it A LOT. I would go 28" 8 twist heavy varmint.
 
Swapping a Racehorse for a Plowhorse. Unthinkable lol
True enough, but racehorses burn our quicker than the slower, but steady plow horse. It's not that that factory barrel in 204 won't shoot cause it has shot .25" groups, but I don't care for the limited selection of bullets and weights in the 204. If I want that 223 to go fast I simply select a light short bullet and it get almost as fast as the 204R. That's the beauty of the Savage platform. Anyone with a set of barrel blocks and a bench vise can swap barrels at home. Should I feel the need for speed it's a 15 min or less operation in my basement to screw the 204 tube back on.
 
I've been shooting .223 for 20 years, bolt and ar. The best I saw was 88 eld and 90 smk in 1-7" twist. Even out of my 18" ar they are great.
 
Since you are making the switch anyway why not get a 223 AI? You will not be sorry. Shoots right along with a 204 Ruger with a slightly heavier bullet.....If you're looking for performance get the 28".....I have the Varmint taper in 223 AI and it is a dead accurate rifle!

http://northlandshooterssupply.com/barrels/criterion-savage/

BTW the varmint taper gives you some play room with the length as far as weight is concerned....
+1 on the 223 AI
 
Swapping a Racehorse for a Plowhorse. Unthinkable lol
I was asked to reply,Here is dope for my 204 rugers, 40 v-max,velocity 3800 fps, zeroed at 100,Drop at 300-6.28" Drift 3.65" 681 fpe velocity at 300 2768 fps,a lot faster,flatter than a standard 223 or 5.56,also less recoil.I have 2642 rounds through my Krieger 204 barrel,it still shoots in the low .2's,i expect to get 4000 or more through it
 
Would a 7 twist be too quick for the lighter 55 gr bullets?
In .223 , no 1/7 will not be to fast for 55gr bullets but it's certainly over kill... I have shot 50gr bullets in my 1/7 twist with no problems even but unless you're planning on shooting very heavy bullets in it it's not needed... 1/9 will be ok for say a 69gr matchking but some have problems with the 77gr in it.... So the 1/8 maybe perfect for you....
 
In .223 , no 1/7 will not be to fast for 55gr bullets but it's certainly over kill... I have shot 50gr bullets in my 1/7 twist with no problems even but unless you're planning on shooting very heavy bullets in it it's not needed... 1/9 will be ok for say a 69gr matchking but some have problems with the 77gr in it....
My M70HV 1/9 is in love with Hornady 68 gr, but for some reason really struggles with the Nosler 70 RDF's Haven't tried the SMK's since the Hornady is much cheaper and shoot so well.
I'm leaning towards a 1/8 twist so I can shoot the 70- 80's but not be tweaking the 55's
 

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