Rem700 .223 VSSF Re-Build

[6brbb]

I view the Remington 700 .223 VSSF(1:12 twist) very much as a classic varmint rifle. I recently acquired a second hand one and am looking to give it an overhaul (true the action, new recoil lug, new BixnAndy trigger, Spuhr 0-MOA rail, it will go into a light weight alloy chassis that I have, and finally a new carbon-fibre wrapped barrel). In the previous barrel (26”) I was achieving 3630fps with 40gr V-Max's driven by 25.9 gr VV-N133, achieving 0.4-0.5 MOA accuracy. For my new barrel I will stay with 1:12 twist but am looking to reduce the length to make it a little more hunting-friendly, especially as I will have 5.5" of suppressor screwed on the end.

My question is how much should I reduce the barrel length to without compromising accuracy and speed too much (e.g. 3500 fps with 40 grainers is perfectly acceptable I feel). Am thinking either 24 inches or 22 inches for the new barrel.
Thanks for your feedback.
Cheers
Glen in NZ

 

[Carl S]

I view the Remington 700 .223 VSSF(1:12 twist) very much as a classic varmint rifle. I recently acquired a second hand one and am looking to give it an overhaul (true the action, new recoil lug, new BixnAndy trigger, Spuhr 0-MOA rail, it will go into a light weight alloy chassis that I have, and finally a new carbon-fibre wrapped barrel). In the previous barrel (26”) I was achieving 3630fps with 40gr V-Max's driven by 25.9 gr VV-N133, achieving 0.4-0.5 MOA accuracy. For my new barrel I will stay with 1:12 twist but am looking to reduce the length to make it a little more hunting-friendly, especially as I will have 5.5" of suppressor screwed on the end.

My question is how much should I reduce the barrel length to without compromising accuracy and speed too much (e.g. 3500 fps with 40 grainers is perfectly acceptable I feel). Am thinking either 24 inches or 22 inches for the new barrel.
Thanks for your feedback.
Cheers
Glen in NZ

22"will be fine.ive cut quite a few down to 16".

 

[boltfluter]

Glen,
You probably are aware of this, but if wanting to run a suppressor on a carbon barrel, be sure and check with the manufacturer as to which contour to run. I would go 18" if running a suppressor. Sounds like a fun project!
Paul

 

[B23]

I view the Remington 700 .223 VSSF(1:12 twist) very much as a classic varmint rifle. I recently acquired a second hand one and am looking to give it an overhaul (true the action, new recoil lug, new BixnAndy trigger, Spuhr 0-MOA rail, it will go into a light weight alloy chassis that I have, and finally a new carbon-fibre wrapped barrel). In the previous barrel (26”) I was achieving 3630fps with 40gr V-Max's driven by 25.9 gr VV-N133, achieving 0.4-0.5 MOA accuracy. For my new barrel I will stay with 1:12 twist but am looking to reduce the length to make it a little more hunting-friendly, especially as I will have 5.5" of suppressor screwed on the end.

My question is how much should I reduce the barrel length to without compromising accuracy and speed too much (e.g. 3500 fps with 40 grainers is perfectly acceptable I feel). Am thinking either 24 inches or 22 inches for the new barrel.
Thanks for your feedback.
Cheers
Glen in NZ

Great platform to build a Rem 700 based semi custom off of. I had that exact same gun and shot a lot of 40's in mine as well. Those Rem 700 VSSF models always seemed to shoot pretty darn good. I still have mine but it's no longer a whole gun. I put the HS prec. stock it came with on a different rifle and had the action trued to use as the base for my 20-222 and the factory barrel still is sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

I see you're in NZ, does that mean you'll be using a Hardy barrel? Never owned a Hardy barrel myself but I know someone that has and they were more than happy with the Hardy barrels they had.

As for what length, ask ten people and you'll probably get ten different answers. I have 22 caliber barrels on bolt action rifles from 18-28 inches long. My suggestion, especially if you plan to run it suppressed, would be to pick something between 18 and 22. My 223AI is a Rem 700 based build with a 9 twist 22 inch Hart barrel. I shoot it suppressed 100% of the time and I wouldn't want it any longer then 22. If you've narrowed your choices down to either 22 or 24 I'd definitely pick the 22.

 

[6brbb]

Great platform to build a Rem 700 based semi custom off of. I had that exact same gun and shot a lot of 40's in mine as well. Those Rem 700 VSSF models always seemed to shoot pretty darn good. I still have mine but it's no longer a whole gun. I put the HS prec. stock it came with on a different rifle and had the action trued to use as the base for my 20-222 and the factory barrel still is sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

I see you're in NZ, does that mean you'll be using a Hardy barrel? Never owned a Hardy barrel myself but I know someone that has and they were more than happy with the Hardy barrels they had.

As for what length, ask ten people and you'll probably get ten different answers. I have 22 caliber barrels on bolt action rifles from 18-28 inches long. My suggestion, especially if you plan to run it suppressed, would be to pick something between 18 and 22. My 223AI is a Rem 700 based build with a 9 twist 22 inch Hart barrel. I shoot it suppressed 100% of the time and I wouldn't want it any longer then 22. If you've narrowed your choices down to either 22 or 24 I'd definitely pick the 22.

Thanks for your reply! Indeed at some point I intend going to build a 20-222 (probably a 20 Bobcat). But for this rifle I will stay with a .223Rem.
Yes I have a Hardy Carbon barrel on my 20BR, and I also have one on my 6GT. Their carbon barrels are great for hunting, and they group well at long distance; done a lot of 1000yd target shooting with my 6GT. This 223 will have a Hardy carbon barrel and based on the feedback from yourself, Paul, and Carl, will probably go with 20 inches. I have known the Hardy team for a long time and the owner Dan for 20 years.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Frankm]

22” shouldn’t take too much performance and be right at or near your goal. 24” will keep a little more velocity but starting to get pretty long with suppressor.

Have you given any thought to a 9 or 10 twist to keep it friendly with 69-70 grainers? Either of those twists should work well with your lighter bullet goal too; just a thought.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I took my old 221FB LVSF rifle and had it redone… 20” 1-12 twist .246nk 221Fireball-
Action trued & polished, firing pin bushing, jewel set at 4oz, McMillian hunterBR stock, balanced nicely for swinging out the window…Or to tote a little ways to sneak up on something…

I shot 40gr BK around 3450fps..