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Author Topic: Which 223 barrel for long range use  (Read 742 times)

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Offline wapitichaser

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Which 223 barrel for long range use
« on: January 05, 2012, 01:06:21 PM »
Which length .223 barrel would you chose for long range Prairie dog shooting? I am looking at the factory offerings of 20, 22, and 24 " or any other aftermarket barrels. I am building a budget .223 for prairie dogs and coyotes. I want to embarass a few friends who have $4000 custom .223's. I will be handloading ammo and shooting out to 700 yards. Any help from the H&R Gurus would be appreciated. Thanks.


 
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Offline twoshooter

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Re: Which 223 barrel for long range use
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2012, 01:27:23 PM »
The longest, heaviest barrel you can find, long throat, with the fastest twist, preferably a 1-9 or less. That will give you the best chance anyway.
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Offline rdlange

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Re: Which 223 barrel for long range use
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2012, 01:33:29 PM »
Handi ultra varmint comes with 24" bull and fluted bull barrels.  Wood or varmint synthetic stocks.  Don't know the twist.
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Offline tacklebury

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Re: Which 223 barrel for long range use
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2012, 01:36:57 PM »
22 Heavy from survivor will work well too.  I have that one and it's also 1:9 twist.  Should stabilize up to the length of 90 75 grainers, but for most varmints, weight isn't too critical.  ;)  I haven't shot mine at longer ranges and I need a better scope to really do so.  At 100 yards I'm shooting 3/8" groups though with a 4 power scope.  ;)
 
*corrected my weight*  I'd read on one of the long range boards that they were getting 90 grainers to stabilize, but read a lot of stuff, so it might have been in a 1:7.  I do know it's based on length though, not weight alone as the chart Tim posted states.  Thus if you are using a HP bullet or Plastic tip core, you won't get as heavy a bullet as a solid jacketed lead.  ;)  I honestly don't think that there'd be that big of a difference between a 75 gr. and an 80 gr. bucking wind.  Just go for a good BC.
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Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

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Offline sobeit

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Re: Which 223 barrel for long range use
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2012, 01:51:53 PM »
24" gives you abt 130fps extra over 22"...55gr bullet w/a good scope.
now! just go get a 17HMR, cheap and very accurate . I take ground hogs to 160yds (head shots) with dogs your good to 200...no wind.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Which 223 barrel for long range use
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2012, 02:53:20 PM »
Quote from: twoshooter on January 05, 2012, 01:27:23 PM
The longest, heaviest barrel you can find, long throat, with the fastest twist, preferably a 1-9 or less. That will give you the best chance anyway.
Reguardless of firearm platform, this is what I would look for as well...
 
BUT for targets THAT far I personally would not be looking at 223... ::)
 
CW
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Offline THSkeer

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Re: Which 223 barrel for long range use
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2012, 02:37:37 AM »
The 1 in 9 twist is too slow for bullets above 68-69 grains, and is marginal there!   At 700 yards you will need to be shooting at least 80 gr bullets to have any measure of predictability in cross winds.  In addition, 80 grainers will require an OAL of 2.450, well over SAAMI, to get the ogive of the 80 gr Sierra out of the case neck, which requires special throating (or an AMU type reamer, .223 Wylde is also a winner.)  You could try 77's at SAAMI length with compressed loads......
 
If you are serious about this then get a Kreiger 1 in 7 twist and have it stubbed to your Handi.  Specify the .223 Wylde reamer.  Then get some VarGet, N450, or N530 if you can find it, and Sierra 80 gr bullets.  That will give you a good start.  Berger's are really popular too.  If you have to go the 90 gr route PacNor makes a twist just for the 90's, I think it is a 6.5 or 6 twist.  It has good results at 1000 yards in LR competition.
 
Tom 
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Which 223 barrel for long range use
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2012, 06:42:17 AM »
I think from others in previous discussions on the 1:9" barrels, 75gr is the limit for bigger .224" bullets, and the Lilja chart bears this out.

Tim

http://www.riflebarrels.com/products/caliber_twist_rates.htm
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