.223 / 5.56 barrel length for a bolt action

[Baldman]

Ok I've got an AR that works fine but I don't have any magnified glass on it just a red dot and I'd like to have a dedicated gun to shoot longer range. The range I belong to will be opening up 200 and 300 yard ranges in the next 12 - 18 months and I just want something I can punch paper with out to those ranges.

I know I'll get better accuracy from a 20 inch barrel than the 16.5 inch I have on the AR but do I get anymore accuracy with a 22 or 24 inch barrel?

No specific brands picked out yet just trying to see what specs I'll want before I start looking at brands.

BTW I know I can get a dedicated AR for this, I'd just a like a bolt gun, it may slow down my ammo use.

TIA
Chuck

 

[W.E.G.]

Its about the QUALITY of the barrel.

Not the length.

That determines ACCURACY.

The longer barrel will only give you greater velocity, which may or may not matter, depending on the distances you plan on firing.

Pay close attention to TWIST RATE.

A lot of bolt-gun .223/5.56 guns have a twist rate that is not good for the heavy bullets.
The heavy bullets will give you better results at long range because of better BC.

BC is king in the wind.

300 yards is still "short range."

 

[jmr40]

The 223/5.56 doesn't benefit much from barrels longer than 20-22". I'd not go any longer than that and mine is 18". Accuracy is not a factor with optics. Longer barrels that make the front and rear sights farther apart make iron sighted rifles easier to shoot accurately, but there is no difference in what the rifles are capable of.

As said 300 yards is short range, no benefit from anything longer than 16" at that range. Start shooting at 800-1,000 yards and the extra 100 fps at the muzzle might make a difference way on out there.

 

[AStone]

As said 300 yards is short range, no benefit from anything longer than 16" at that range.

That's very useful info for me, right there -- assuming others agree.

I've been bit by the .223 bug (as intermediate between my .30-30 and .22 lr), and am wrestling with an initial choice of AR v bolt, both in 16"+. (Leaning strongly toward the bolt for my needs; Ruger American Ranch Compact at the top of my list.)

But I've been wondering about this very thing. 300 yds for me will be a very, very long shot. So, sounds like 16" is good.

I look forward to reading more here.

 

[Art Eatman]

22" helps with hunting, due to higher velocity.

Group size, as mentioned above, is more a function of barrel quality. No reason for a shorter barrel to not group well; sometimes--given multitudes of variables--they'll provide smaller groups. Stiffness can be a factor, e.g.

 

[Jenrick]

Anything longer then 24" is a no go for 5.56/.223. 24" is the point where the friction of the bullet traveling down the barrel doesn't cause a loss of velocity when using SAAMI pressures.

As others have said 300 yds is a chipshot for .223. It'll still have PLENTY of velocity at that range. Even a 10.5" SBR can ring steel at 300. An 18" is a good compromise length, and a lot of people feel they hang better, and swing better when shooting off hand.

-Jenrick

 

[AStone]

I'm definitely open to up to 18.5", even though I prefer 16". (The main issue is walking through dense underbrush in both ME and Florida, and there's just not going to be super long shots in either state for me.)

18"-ish also opens up options for more models, at least in bolts.

 

[bikemutt]

My Savage 10FP-SR is 22", I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[Baldman]

Thnaks Guys, I always get info form this board. Looks like 20 inches should be more than fine for my use and yes 300 yards is not long range but for me right now it is.

Now I just need to start scouting rifles, anyone have a good experience with any brands / models?

 

[chris in va]

CZ 527 Carbine 1-9" twist. 18" barrel, very handy.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Select your barrel length for convenience. Do you need a barrel shorter than 20"? If so, get one.

On the other hand, if you are doing a lot of shooting, especially something like prairie dog hunting, a longer, heavier barrel can be an asset.

 

[Sniper66]

I shoot a Remington 700 .223 VSF (Varmint Synthetic Fluted) with a 26" barrel. It is my primary prairie dog rifle and is wicked accurate. Also have a Remington 700 VLS (varmint Laminate Stock) .243 with a 26" heavy barrel and also very accurate. I also shoot 2 different .204s and a .22 Hornet with shorter barrels, .24" and 2 of them with 22" barrels and they are all accurate. For prairie dogs I prefer the long barrel for the stability they offer shooting off sand bags. But, for coyotes I prefer a shorter barrel for maneuverability. I'd like to buy an AR style rifle with an 18" barrel just for the purpose.

 

[d2wing]

I have heard that the .223 is optimized for 20 inch barrels. I have a 16 and 20. The 20 is more accurate but it may not be due to length. I do like the increased velocity as those small pills need max velocity for energy and additional range depending on use.

 

[X-Rap]

I think my old Savage Heavy Barrel has a 26" and once dialed in will ring an 8" plate at 600 yds with boring regularity.
Can do it once in a while with an AR but I'll make money with the Savage.

 

[MislMan]

Maybe consider building another upper for your AR. Trigger feel would be the same and you already like the feel. Put a target grade barrel on it (16-20") with a good scope and you would be good to go. You have magazines already.

... Larry S.

 

[LongbowShooter]

Getting another upper sounds like a pretty good idea. Sometimes though, we just need to get a new gun. If that's the case, I like the idea of an 18"-20" bolt gun. I'm partial to Rugers so the American or American Ranch are intriguing. Stepping up a level I really like the M77 Standard or Predator (though they come with a 22" barrel).

 

[strambo]

You don't need more than 16" for 300, but if you like an 18" model best, get that. An 18" bolt gun should be pretty handy.

 

[243winxb]

223 velocity 22" to 11" barrel. Bolt action

Link shows different barrel lengths, as they cut the barrel shorter. Shows loads used and accuracy.. http://www.accuratereloading.com/223sb.html

 

[Woolecox]

I am having a Rem 700 223 rebarreled right now. I am using a Shilen #17 Select Grade Match barrel. Twist is 1:8. My Gunsmith is going to cut the throat for a 5.56 chamber vice 223.

We talked it over and both agree that 23” would be the optimum length. The 5.56 case is so small that all powder would be expended prior to bullet exit with a 23”. No advantage to going longer.

I want to shoot the same 77 grain OTM’s out of this gun that I shoot out of my 20” AR.

 

[Jim Watson]

The Texas Warehouse Experiments concluded that 21.75" was the optimum length for accuracy. This assumes benchrest quality gunsmithing, loading, and shooting.
If you are buying off the rack, apply whatever kewl factor you like.

Me?
My barrels are as long as Krieger and Pac Nor would provide without paying extra per inch.

 

[Woolecox]

The Texas Warehouse Experiments concluded that 21.75" was the optimum length for accuracy. This assumes benchrest quality gunsmithing, loading, and shooting.
If you are buying off the rack, apply whatever kewl factor you like.

Me?
My barrels are as long as Krieger and Pac Nor would provide without paying extra per inch.

That is about the standard I saw when I was on a bench rest comp kick. Especially for the smaller calibers. My 6PPC bench gun had a straight bull contour and was cut at 22”.

No problem flinging a 65 grain bullet at over 3200 fps. Very accurate.

The rifle I am having re-barreled is a Rem 700 SSVF. They no longer make them in 223 but the Sendero is the same thing in larger calibers. The work is being done by Precision Barrel Works in Hempstead, TX. Pete has done work for me before and it is excellent. This one will get chambered for 5.56 NATO, a pinned lug, trued action and bolt, and glass bedded in the aluminum chassis.

As far as the 223/5.56 goes, I am getting 2772 fps out of my 20” Larue OBR with .5 MOA accuracy. That is with a 77 grain Berger OTM. These actually group a little better than the Federal OTM Match Kings. I use Lapua brass (best), or once fired Lake City (good). Ramshot TAC powder. Best groups are .4 grains off of max published by Ramshot. CCI#41 primer.

If I can equal or better this performance in the new bolt gun, I will be very pleased. Incidentally, the velocity of those above loads is about 150 fps faster than Federal Gold Medal Match factory ammo, and they are more accurate out of my AR.

Cheers,
Woolly

 

[Nature Boy]

I'll put a plug in for the Savage model 12 I recently bought for my son.


5 shot group at 100 yards using factory hornady VMAX's


Can't say enough good about the quality and accuracy of this rifle, right out of the box.

 

[ROAshooter]

CZ527FS....has the 20" barrel 1/12 twist...and with hand loaded 55grn boat tail will get this three shot group.....and people say a mannlicher will not hold a group

 

[Nature Boy]

Show off!

(nice group)

 

[highlander 5]

I have a Ruger M77 MK II that I had rebarreled with a 22" 1in 9 twist stainless barrel and my best groups are around 1" at 100 yds.