Still debating, 223 vs 22ARC

[K9TXS]

.223 or .223 AI

 

[Pyscodog]

Well being the old fart that I am and a died in the wool fan of the 223, I have to say 223. Ho hum yes but it still is and probably always will be my favorite. I just have issues with all the new stuff that comes out that does about the same as the old stuff. (Key words, "about the same") And if I ever need brass, which I doubt will ever happen, one trip to the club and I can pick up enough range brass to last a long time.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Another Opinionated, Cheap ( Hate to, WASTE Money ) , old Fart,.. Here !
Personally, I'd go with, the .22 ARC and LIGHTER Bullets like,.. 50 gr V-Max ( For,. "Splodies" on PD's ),
52 gr. Berger, Targ/ Varmt ) or, A-Max, ELD-M's ( For PURE, 200-300 yd., Accuracy ! ) 53 gr, V-Max and 55 gr. Sierra, Blitz King's / SGK's for,.. "All Around use" & on Rock Chucks and,.. Coyotes to,.. 400+ yds !
Yup,.. a 23" Med Sporter, Barrel,.. BRAKED and,.. a 1-12 Twist, 8.5 to 10 Pounds, Max weight= Pure Heaven,.. IMO
You already HAVE, a 6 MM ARC to Shoot,.. the "Heavies" ! ( I Hate, to OWN,.. "Over-Lapping" Rifles ! )
ADG Brass,. IS,. "Top Notch" Brass,.. So, NO,. "Worries" there.
And FORSTER Makes, PRECISION Die Sets for, the .22 ARC so, What's NOT,.. to "Like" !

 

[Bat Rastard]

ARC.

I have more time to elaborate.
I currently am shooting 90gr smk's in a 223 bolt gun. They are going fast. The charge weights are high enough that I watch it very carefully.
I could get the same velocity from an ARC without breaking a sweat.
My next project will likely be an ARC.

 

[jelenko]

I Hate, to OWN,.. "Over-Lapping" Rifles !

!! Indeed.

 

[Ackman]

I have several 223/223AI's and like them all. Also 6BR based chamberings. Don't screw around with another 223. Do a 6BR if you don't have one, they're very accurate and stupid easy to make shoot well.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Since I Have, One More sweet, Rem 700, a .22-250, Lefty, Short Action, w/ .473 Bolt Face,..
I will Chamber it's NEXT Barrel for, .22 GT, @ 23 inches and "Braked", 1-12 twist to, Do / shoot, everything I listed, in Post #23. ( I Love, the 35* shoulder, perfect, Powder Capacity and it's, LONG'ish,.. Neck ! )
George,. Really, "Hit it, Out of the Park" with the Design of, the 6mm and,.. .22 GT's,. IMO !
My 6 XC, will Handle, all of, the 70 to, 108 / 110 grain, Bullets,.. IF,.. I,.. "NeedMoor",.. Range !
If I had, a "Small Bolt Face", Rifle,.. I go with, the .22 ARC,.. in a New York, minute

 

[KMW 1954]

This. 223 ISSF 7 twist. Shoots everything well.

Yes I have been following that thread very closely!

 

[KMW 1954]

!! Indeed.

Is that like how many 9mm pistols do I need?

 

[KMW 1954]

I have several 223/223AI's and like them all. Also 6BR based chamberings. Don't screw around with another 223. Do a 6BR if you don't have one, they're very accurate and stupid easy to make shoot well.

The 6mm reference completely misses the point of what I am looking to do.

Friends in the League I shoo for years repeated the same mantra. Last year I shot a 6ARC and listened to their grief until I out shot both of them more than once. Suddenly they became quiet! Why does everyone insist to follow the crowd. Follow the Easy Road?

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Is that like how many 9mm pistols do I need?

With Me having,.. Only,.. 2 Hands,..
I have a Defensive Model-19, 4" 9mm, Glock and an Offensive, 9mm Glock, Mod-34, 5" bbl. with, a Chevron, Holosun sight for,.. the Longer, Ranges !
I have NO need for, any MORE 9MM's than, that !

 

[stacy]

A 7 twist 223 with a long freebore (like used for fclass) and 90gr bullets will shoot as far as you want. Unlimited brass options, with Lake City performing well.

Sure love how mines drives

 

[TravisC]

I have a 223 with a brux and the issf reamer, and a 22 arc with a Bart 5r barrel. So far I haven't seen much accuracy difference between the 2, but speed, that's different. 75 grain bullets - 223 rem is using 23.5 grains of Varget for 2750-2800 fps and the Arc using the same bullet is running 28 grains of Benchmark and I hit 3100fps. I wish the freebore of the Arc was a bit shorter so I could run 60 vmaxes for prairie dogs, but accuracy wise, I have laid down some decent groups at 480yds (2 -3 inch with the Arc and 60 vmax) and am not done testing yet. I'm gonna try 80 grain bullets next.

 

[boltfluter]

I would try the .22 ARC just to try something different. Based on a PPC case, the potential for accuracy could be amazing. How many .223 rifles does one person need! I do like a good .223 for sure. I am having a blast with my .223, 8 twist Tikka at the moment though. Playing with the 62 ELD-VT bullet. My next may be a .22 ARC though. Just do it.
Paul

 

[Fuj]

The wild catter in me has a back burner project in the wings. Yinz are
side stepping or forgot about the 22 Nosler. Put's a .223 on steroids
and I'm positive I could make the ARC look silly. However I have this
7.2 needing final honing first. For what it's worth, the 22 ARC should
have been called the ACC (advanced copy cat). Just go 22 PPC and
keep it real. Did I mention 22 Nosler......LOL

 

[LVLAaron]

If you have the ARC bolt face, ARC.

 

[jelenko]

I have a 223 with a brux and the issf reamer, and a 22 arc with a Bart 5r barrel. So far I haven't seen much accuracy difference between the 2, but speed, that's different. 75 grain bullets - 223 rem is using 23.5 grains of Varget for 2750-2800 fps and the Arc using the same bullet is running 28 grains of Benchmark and I hit 3100fps. I wish the freebore of the Arc was a bit shorter so I could run 60 vmaxes for prairie dogs, but accuracy wise, I have laid down some decent groups at 480yds (2 -3 inch with the Arc and 60 vmax) and am not done testing yet. I'm gonna try 80 grain bullets next.

Just to confirm, what is the barrel length of the two rifles?

 

[KMW 1954]

See, just by reading this one thread there are so many valid arguments both ways. For what I want to do, both make sense. Then as I originally stated this rifle is to be used as a target bench rifle and not any sort of hunting rifle so no need for explosive hits and barrel burning velocities. For if that was the case I would just move to the 22-250 and be done. I have followed accuracy threads on both the 223 and 22 ARC for over a year and am impressed by both when they are matched correctly

What I am striving for is a rifle that will fire 70gr to 85gr bullets into one hole at 300 yards. I believe both are more than capable. Next as I alluded to I am also not one to follow the crowd just because it's easier. Anyone can become just the next face in a crowd. Where is the excitement in that?

The greatest thing about Savage actions is that very inexpensively one can purchase a prefit barrel from NSS in almost any caliber and in a few hours of receiving it be shooting. My experience from shooting this target league the past 4 years id that barrels are consumables, just like bullets, primers, brass and powder. After ya shot it all up it must be replaced.

A big part of my interest in the 22ARC is because it is not a 223 nor is it a 22-250.

 

[jelenko]

See, just by reading this one thread there are so many valid arguments both ways. For what I want to do, both make sense. Then as I originally stated this rifle is to be used as a target bench rifle and not any sort of hunting rifle so no need for explosive hits and barrel burning velocities. For if that was the case I would just move to the 22-250 and be done. I have followed accuracy threads on both the 223 and 22 ARC for over a year and am impressed by both when they are matched correctly

What I am striving for is a rifle that will fire 70gr to 85gr bullets into one hole at 300 yards. I believe both are more than capable. Next as I alluded to I am also not one to follow the crowd just because it's easier. Anyone can become just the next face in a crowd. Where is the excitement in that?

The greatest thing about Savage actions is that very inexpensively one can purchase a prefit barrel from NSS in almost any caliber and in a few hours of receiving it be shooting. My experience from shooting this target league the past 4 years id that barrels are consumables, just like bullets, primers, brass and powder. After ya shot it all up it must be replaced.

A big part of my interest in the 22ARC is because it is not a 223 nor is it a 22-250.

Did you just answer your question?

 

[KMW 1954]

Did you just answer your question?

In complete honesty. NO!

Seems I have been having this exact conversation with myself for over a year which is why it still hasn't been done. Seems a 50 to one 1/2 doz of the other.

If I were in a position to I would rebarrel both rifles. One a fast twist 223 and the other the 22ARC.