How does barrel length effect performance in the .223???

[TopperT]

I have a general question regarding the performance of the 223.  I am VERY new to shooting this caliber, in fact most of my range time has been spent with black powder in muzzel-loaders and BP cartridge rifles.
 
Now I have two .223 'handi's', one is 24" in bbl length with a 1-9 twist, the other is 20" with the 1-12 twist.  Following a coyote hunt two weeks ago I picked up the shorter .223 (a superlight) and restocked it to a 14 1/2" LOP (more adult  sized).  I feel the 20" bbl makes for a great brush rifle as well as ease of shooting from blinds.  The longer bull bbl will be my range rifle as well as for hunting.
 
That all said, is there a difference in the overall performance of the .223 round given a difference in bbl length?  Thank you.

[gendoc]

TT, i have a 24" heavy barrel and i hada old 22" pencil barrel, which is now a 17" shorty.
both with same twist.
the shorty shoots jus as gud as tha 24 with a small amount of velocity loss...
 maybe 15-20fps, if that. with identicle handloads.
 i don't really care bout what theory and formuli states...............
 
 

[bigvarmnt]

I have a 20" SL, 22" Standard, and a 24" Bull. Used to have another standard ejector but lost it. Never compared them velocity wise. Mostly have shot the SL and really like it. I've taken two yotes with it one at 105yds and the other at 200. Plan to work with the bull soon after mounting new scope. They fell to Varget and the 36 gr V.G. The SL is much easier to carry and quicker to swing. The bull should be more accurate and faster dunno yet. You probably won't be able to shoot groups fast with the SL but mine is for fun and hunting. There is a lot you can do with the 223, diff twist for diff bullets, different powders, I've even down loaded with 30 gr VGs and were accurate and can replace the 22 mag and has better brass than the Hornet. I wouldn't over glass the SL. They are all a lot of fun and you can do a lot of different things with them.
Good Luck, Have Fun


Added: Thanks Doc, now I won't scratch my head if I don't get 200 fps more

[gendoc]

yep, i gotta load with trailboss thatsa hoot for tree-rats outtha winder !!!!..................

[bigvarmnt]

I've hunted mice in my shrub bed with downloaded Hornet  
Don't know how folks live in the city


 I wouldn't use the HB for shrub huntin

[tacklebury]

If you stick to quicker burning powders on the chart, you will get less velocity loss as the powder will be consumed before the barrel end is reached.  Remember that most of the military now carry the M4 Carbine which is 16.25" barrels. 

[gendoc]

  Remember that most of the military now carry the M4 Carbine which is 16.25" barrels. 

wonder where i previously got that info from....................
thanks for your information tackle   ifin i'd said that, allhell wuda broke loose with tha
noitalls here

[trotterlg]

If your .223 only loses 20fps with a 5 inch shorter barrel then you have a very unusual load for it or a defective crono.    Larry

[gendoc]

maybe unusual load.....
not hardly my chronograph.
but, very very accurate...so whats your point ??
 

[quickdtoo]

Here's a detailed 223 Rem chrono'd velocity loss chart with shorter barrel lengths with three powders, federal brass and federal 205M primers, 52gr molly bullets, all groups are 5 shots at 100 yards.


Tim

[trotterlg]

It seem other people loose about 200fps with that barrel length change, so you may have mis placed the decimal point in your calculations.  In a high velocity cartridge, you generally loose 30 to 50fps per INCH of barrel. 

[TopperT]

Thank you, everyone, for your comments and information.  I was wondering exactly what loss would be expected with the short bbl, and now I know.  Information exchanged here is very much appreciated and adds to greater understanding this wonderful pasttime of ours.  Very much appreciated.  Jim Terrio.

[ratdog]

I am with you gendock i chopped my 223 to 16/12  inches really have not noticed difference.sept much handier.

[Couger]

It seem other people loose about 200fps with that barrel length change, so you may have mis placed the decimal point in your calculations.  In a high velocity cartridge, you generally loose 30 to 50fps per INCH of barrel. 

Agreed Larry.     the laws of physics don't change just because some folks want them too.