T/C in .223?

[S.B.]

Just what kind of accuracy can a shooter expect from a T/C pistol length barrel in .223 expect at 100 yards?

[22popnsplat]

I have shot a fair number of sub MOA 5 shot groups with my 14 inch .223 , I have to be shooting about 3-4 times a month to do it with any consitancy

[Bullseye]

My barrel is a 14", it will turn in 3/4" groups at 100 yards with my handloads or the Winchester Varmit bulk pack rounds.

[palgeno]

under an inch at 100yds seems to be no problem for my 14" Hunter bbl---really 12.25" with a muzzle tamer-----don't know if the brake affects accuracy or not---just wanted to be able to see the bullet impact through the scope. I'm switching from a 2.5-7x scope to a 3-12x on this barrel. Just a guess, but the barrel may perform more accurately than I can at 7x magnification-----even at 12x, my bench technique will still likely be the weak link in the accuracy chain.     pg

[SD Handgunner]

I have had several different .223 Contender Barrels over the years. With the 10" it was a little tricky at times to get them to print sub MOA groups at 100 yards, but with certain loads it was attainable. Super 14 Barrels in .223 have been a different matter entirely. Most would easily shoot sub MOA Groups at 100 yards with a variety of ammo, and some with the RIGHT LOAD got right down to the half MOA mark at 100 yards.

Others may or may not agree, but I think a Super 14 .223 Contender is one of the most FUN Barrels a handgunner can have (well maybe next to the Match Grade Super 14 .22 LR that is).

SD Handgunner

[MnMike]

My 14" gives 3/8" to 7/8" with handloads. It does 1/2" to 1" with the factory loads it likes (cheap Winchester USA ammo).

mike

[MS Hitman]

If I'm shooting the load my barrel likes and am in good practice; caliber to 2X caliber groups can be shot at 100 yards.  I've seen them shoot "minute-of-groundhog" out past 400 yards and "minute-of-prarie dog" out past 300 yards.

[Lone Star]

The ultimate intrinsic accuracy will depend on the quality of the barrel and the quality of the ammo.  A worn factory barrel and cheapo ammo will not shoot as well as better equipment/ammo, but most barrels in this chambering will shoot better than most owners can.  The 10" barrels are more difficult to shoot well due to the lighter weight and lower stability on the bags, but the potential is almost as good as with the 14" barrels.  My factory 16" CAR-15 shoots .75 moa aggregates scoped, so short barrels can shoot well even when screwed into a semi-auto.

Shooter technique is usually the limiting factor in shooting small groups with a T/C.  It takes practicing the correct technique to get sub-moa groups regardless of the barrel/ammo combo.  Some guys can't get better than 2 moa out of a setup which gives 1/2 moa aggregates - I know this because I've handed several of my extremely accurate T/Cs to fellow shooters and they get groups the same size as they get with their factory barrels and cheap ammo.   :roll:

[Steve P]

I have a 12" hunter and a 14".  Both will do well under an inch if I do my part.  Even cheap UMC and Federal American Eagle are under an inch.

Steve