20" or 24" barrel in a .223 Varmint Gun?

[Kestrel]

I'm also thinking about a Rem. 700 Varmint gun in .223. I was thinking about a 700 LTR with it's 20" barrel or a 700 VS SF with it's 26" barrel.

Does the .223 gain any velocity or distance with the additional 6" of barrel? Does anyone know how much velocity would be gained?

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[dakotasin]

i always opt for longer barrels on varmint guns. a little extra velocity is a good thing, especially on the windy prairies here. i also like the extra weight of the longer barrels... as the round-counts start to approach the ridiculous level, it is nice to have even less recoil to deal with.

however, for varminting, i like speed... look to the 22-250 if you want a centerfire 22, and house it in the vssf or the vls (what a great gun for the money)...

 

[Smoke]

I beleive the longer barrel will make better use of the .223 round.
Varmint hunting is usually done at a distance and with a rest. Get the most of the round. If you're walking, consider a smaller lighter rifle.

.22-250 is a great varmint round. .223 is cheaper to shoot.

Smoke

 

[ARperson]

Yep, you'll get more velocity out of the longer barrel. The better question is whether that extra velocity is worth the extra weight. In other words, are you as a shooter going to notice an increase in performance from that extra velocity. It's simply the law of diminishing returns. At some point, you pretty much reach a maximum performance level for any given firearm/bullet combo. Anything extra is just superfluous.

I don't know the answer to that question, though. It would take more time and interest than I have to figure it out. It's just a matter of personal taste really.

 

[Art Eatman]

Longer barrel = more velocity = longer effective range.

However, if you don't anticipate shooting critters larger than coyotes, and don't expect shots much beyond 200 yards, the 20" barrel will probably serve quite well.

Art

 

[dakotasin]

aww, but art! where's the fun in a 'dog gun and restricting yourself to close range? get out there, let the cartridge stretch its legs a little! 200 yards and in is just way too cramped to be fun!

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

Related to the VSSF vs. LTR, remember the twist is different in the two rifles. 1 in 12 in the VSSF and 1 in 9 in the LTR. This pushed me to the LTR as I wanted to be able to shoot the heavier, 68 69 73 75 grain, bullets. Just a consideration....

 

[Dave R]

How 'much' velocity increase can you get going from a 20" to 26" barrel with .223?

I'm wondering if you're already into diminishing returns once you get over 20".

 

[Kestrel]

Texas Ranger,

Does the 1-in-9 twist on yours stabilize the 75gr and above loads?

DaveR - I wondered about the same thing about diminishing returns. I'm wondering at what barrel length, the bullet begins to start slowing down?

Steve

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

Steve,

It stabilizes the 75s just fine. I only shot about 10 of the 77s, no keyholes, but not very good accuracy. Looks like the 75s are it.... It does love the 68s and 69s though.

 

[Onslaught]

"Borrowed" from the Bushmaster.com knowledgebase:

With factory ammo, the difference between a 20" barrel and a 24" barrel boils down to about 100 fps (feet per second - velocity). If you handload, you have a greater diversity of loads/powders that will function reliably. The 24" bbl. really does not give you anything extra over a 20" bbl. until you get out to about 400 yards where the extra velocity starts to make a difference. And, the longer barrels do very well with the heavier bullets (69 - 72 grain) at those ranges. If your specific interest is varmint hunting or long range target shooting, you may well benefit from a longer barrel....

I may give the .223 too much credit, but sometimes I don't think it gets enough where range is concerned... With AR's, a 14.5" bbl will easily shoot beyond 300 yards accurately, and although I can hit at 500 yards, my friend's 16" does it better... So I can't imagine why 20" wouldn't be plenty for 600+ yards. Especially since we're not talking about FMJ and the infamous "maximum fragmentation range" deal.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

say it softly....22-250...22-250...

.22-250 is an EXCELLENT varmit round. Also blows up grapefruit pretty good.
I'd personally go with the 24"- my Weatherby Super Varmit Master .22-250 has a 26" tube, as does my Tikka M595. Both will keep all their shots under an ½ @ 100 yds and under 2½ “ @ 300 yds…if I do my part… and have no coffee that day. But truthfully, if you arn't taking shots past 300 yds or so, and you like the 20", get the 20".

 

[Kestrel]

Good info.

Now, I'm wondering about something else. The difference between the 20" and 26" at long range with different bullet weights. Can you use light bullet weights (55 gr. and below) at 600 yards? Or, does it require heavier bullets (62 gr, 75, etc.)

I'm asking because, since the 700 LTR has a 1-in-9 twist, it would definitely be better with the heavier bullets. But with the varmint rifles, with 1-in-12 inch twists, can you take advantage of a longer barrel, if you're limited to lighter bullets?

Thanks again for any help,
Steve

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

Steve,

Most HP shooters I have talked with will recommend only the 80s for 600 yards. Cant really even shoot them with the 1-9, so if you are wanting to use the .223 out that far, your looking at rebarreling a rifle to 1 in 8 twist. I will say that out at 400, the 73LTBs, the 75s and 77s seem to do a-ok.

I will also say that it would be a signigficant reach to use a 55 or 62 past 200. They just wont buck the wind effectively..

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

I will also say that it would be a signigficant reach to use a 55 or 62 past 200. They just wont buck the wind effectively

Very true. I shoot the 50grn Nosler ballistic tip and the Black Hills 52 grn Moly coated JHP; and you really need to read the wind on anything past 200 yds. Since most of my shooting is from the bench, I'm seriously considering investing in some wind flags...

 

[Kestrel]

So, how does the .243 do at 600 yards? (700 VLS .243) Is it the cartridge) as accurate as the .223?

The gun club I'm planning to join has a 600 yard range. I have a .308, but also want a smaller caliber to shoot at this range. Also for possible coyotes, but I don't know if I'll see any at 600 yards...

Thanks again for all the help,
Steve

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

Accurate, yes. Barrel burner, yes. Maybe look into the Rem .260 or even the new 6.5 Grendel. The 6.5 is all over the boards and might be a fun option, something new to boot!!!

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Accurate, yes. Barrel burner, yes.

Oh yeah. Once you get into the high velocity sub calibers, throat erosion becomes a real problem. I try and scope my barrels every couple 100 rounds or so. Haven't had to do a re-barrel yet, but I expect it in the future.

I haven't seen this so much with the .243, but I have in the .22-250, .220 so forth.