Still debating, 223 vs 22ARC

[urbanrifleman]

Just shot my 223AI yesterday with 88ELDM, 450 primers and 28.1 grains of Leverevolution. 3150 fps no pressure signs. 1/2 moa groups at 700 yards. 9 1/2 moa come up from 100 yard 0. Remington 700 action, XCaliber 1:7 twist 28 inches.

You are stepping on that sucker.

 

[KMW 1954]

True, but if you were expecting a more straight forward response to the original question, you shouldn't have asked it on an internet forum

Or maybe people should stick to what is germane to the topic. How well a cartridge performs as a hunting round or the use of a gas receiver has not a single thing to do with the question asked did it?

 

[litig8or]

I was about ready to rebarrel my 40X (222RM) and then after a long conversation with Bob Hart decided to go with the 22 ARC. Sure, I had to have the bolt opened up for the ARC but no regrets.
This set-up (40X action, Hart 26" barrel, and old school 40X stock) is a pleasure to shoot and with my second load (77SMK with 26.8 grains of 8208) is putting them where I want at 500M.
I'll end with a shout out of "job well done" to Bob and Gary at Hart's Custom Rifles.

 

[Lefty2506]

Or maybe people should stick to what is germane to the topic. How well a cartridge performs as a hunting round or the use of a gas receiver has not a single thing to do with the question asked did it?

At the risk of repeating myself, if you don't want a conversation to veer off course, then it's best to make sure to minimize the number of participants, but be warned. Even with only a single participant, the risk of receiving on solicited advice is still significant.

Since you mentioned hunting, I don't think 22 cal centerfire cartridges have any place hunting anything larger than a coyote. Just because a person can easily kill a deer with a 22 rimfire, doesn't mean that 22 cal centerfire rifles make an acceptable deer cartridge regardless of whether the projectile is stuffed in a 22 ARC case, or not. What say ye internet?

 

[KMW 1954]

Since you mentioned hunting, I don't think 22 cal centerfire cartridges have any place hunting anything larger than a coyote. Just because a person can easily kill a deer with a 22 rimfire, doesn't mean that 22 cal centerfire rifles make an acceptable deer cartridge regardless of whether the projectile is stuffed in a 22 ARC case, or not. What say ye internet?

Classic example of OFF TOPIC.

 

[jelenko]

Classic example of OFF TOPIC.

Hmm. This is a forum open to all members. You post a topic, you get what you get.

 

[LVLAaron]

For real. It's like a pub. You're going to get people talking and on tangents. If you only wants specific information, there's plenty of it out there, just use google.

 

[KMW 1954]

Looks like I need to work on my skills and art of replying off topic. Seeing as this is an Open Forum.

 

[William Vogel]

You are stepping on that sucker.

I wish I understood what makes this powder give the velocity increases without the excessive pressure.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I wish I understood what makes this powder give the velocity increases without the excessive pressure.

That was the same speed I was shooting the 22 XC. With almost 40 grains powder. I mean, I'm just saying.

 

[William Vogel]

That was the same speed I was shooting the 22 XC. With almost 40 grains powder. I mean, I'm just saying.

Gordon’s Reloading Tools predicts my load to be around 60,000 psi. The COAL is 2.630.

 

[The boogalorian]

Experiencing metal lock trying to decide between re-barrelling. I have three Savage actions available, two of which are candidates for a new barrel. One is a Model 10 223 with a blind magazine that I truly love. It currently has a Model 12 26" Varmint barrel that still shoots just under .5MOA pretty easily with 69gr bullets. Would love to have this with a much faster twist. The other is a Model 110 Switchback 6ARC that I purchased used and it just didn't shoot at all. It now has a Shilen 28" 4 groove Bull barrel on it that shoots fantastic. It is staying as is. Lastly is a Model 11 that currently has the old 6ARC barrel on it and this is the one with the most probability of a new barrel.

My dilemma for this action is do I put a fast twist 223 barrel on it are do I go ahead and try the 22ARC? The whole foundation for this rifle will be bench target shooting out to 300yds. The 223 will give up a little speed but it will also use less powder so it should be a bit cheaper to shoot.. In all honesty I am highly intrigued by the ARC and I am already set with a bolt head for it.

I’m a little late to the conversation but here are the final load data for the 22 ARC rifle I had built last year for PRS.

 

[bobcat93]

In a bolt action, i would choose 22arc and push it till the primer is flat hahaha
im so burned out with the 223 rem.
Wait i should say that differently. . after (years) of shooting the 223 rem. I finally understand its characteristics well enough im ready for something different. For me personally ive tried about every load combination, barrel twist under the sun in AR, and bolt , even in 223 ackly improved and 5 rifle barrels later..ok ive got it..ive got it.. jees! Already hahaha. Im a slow learner
I know my 223rem just well as my 22lr. Now thats alot of ammo..and im not a competitive shooter just curious or obsessive. But some things in life you have to see for yourself and then you learn and understand. The 223rem was my favorite Teacher.
So whats next...life is short, and the reloading manuals are not getting any thinner hahaha.
I remember whan i first picked up a lee reloading book. My very first introduction on the subject
And thinking to myself ( has any one shot them all?)
Ive said it before, and ill say it again. Its easier for a man to choose between two beautiful women then it is 2 cartridges. Its a tuffy Hahaha

 

[jelenko]

people should stick to what is germane to the topic

Seriously? We can expect whatever we want. Posters will post what ever they want.

 

[jelenko]

Gordon’s Reloading Tools predicts my load to be around 60,000 psi. The COAL is 2.630.

With your fired case H2O capacity, actual bullet length and case length?

 

[William Vogel]

With your fired case H2O capacity, actual bullet length and case length?

Yes.

 

[StumpGrinder]

Experiencing metal lock trying to decide between re-barrelling. I have three Savage actions available, two of which are candidates for a new barrel. One is a Model 10 223 with a blind magazine that I truly love. It currently has a Model 12 26" Varmint barrel that still shoots just under .5MOA pretty easily with 69gr bullets. Would love to have this with a much faster twist. The other is a Model 110 Switchback 6ARC that I purchased used and it just didn't shoot at all. It now has a Shilen 28" 4 groove Bull barrel on it that shoots fantastic. It is staying as is. Lastly is a Model 11 that currently has the old 6ARC barrel on it and this is the one with the most probability of a new barrel.

My dilemma for this action is do I put a fast twist 223 barrel on it are do I go ahead and try the 22ARC? The whole foundation for this rifle will be bench target shooting out to 300yds. The 223 will give up a little speed but it will also use less powder so it should be a bit cheaper to shoot.. In all honesty I am highly intrigued by the ARC and I am already set with a bolt head for it.

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.

As a hunter only maybe I shouldn't even way in but as an "old guy" , who has learned to squeeze a dollar, I love the availability of 5.56/223 brass. A couple of years ago I got a 5 gallon bucket of empties and was looking for something to do with it. I don't usually load 223/5.56 because it's still relatively cheap to buy. I started looking at the 6x45 and 25-45 Sharp's, both an easy step up with just one pass. I bought both in 24" Blackhole Weaponry heavy contour barrels. I've killed deer with both and they are a lot of fun and cheap to shoot. The Blackhole barrels have a unique rifling, I think it's polyagonal, they claim it reduces pressure and increases velocity by reducing friction. I believe it, I'm pushing an 80 grain, .257", ttsx to 3000 fps with no pressure signs. I used 27 grains of Tac over a cci 41 primer. At 300 yards and in these to are great on deer, I would think they would also be good punching paper.

I'm still experimenting with the 6x45, both are 1:8 twist and there is nothing wrong with 223/5,56 either. I've killed deer with it also, I have them in 1:7-1:9.