I'm going to be buying a .223 for varmints/coyote hunting and the 2 that I've narrowed it down to is the savage arms 10 predator hunter and thier 12FVSS. The main differance is that the predator is a heavy 22" barrel with full cammo over the gun, and the 12FVSS is stianless with a 26" bull and fluted barrel. Both have the same twist of 1:9.
.223 questions
- Thread starter VetteV12
- Start date
- Status
351 WINCHESTER
Member
You don't need a 26" bbl. for a .223. It's just a waste of good gun metal.
W.E.G.
Member
+1
Coltdriver
Member
The 1 in 9 twist is made to stabilize a bullet over 55 grains.
You might take a look at the ballistics of .223 bullets over 55 grains and ask yourself why you would want to mess with them.
A standard 1 in 12 twist .223 is a great 235 yard flat shooter. With a 55 grain bullet or less.
The 1 in 9 twist may not help at all with a 40 grain bullet.
You will start to get a fairly significant arc with a bullet much over 55 grains when shooting from a .223. regardless of the twist.
Savage makes a great rifle. I would look for one with a 1 in 12 twist if I were buying .223 for shooting coyotes. And my experience is that a 22 to a 24 inch barrel is all you need. In fact it may well be the case that a 26 inch barrel is slower for the same charge than a 22 inch barrel.
You might take a look at the ballistics of .223 bullets over 55 grains and ask yourself why you would want to mess with them.
A standard 1 in 12 twist .223 is a great 235 yard flat shooter. With a 55 grain bullet or less.
The 1 in 9 twist may not help at all with a 40 grain bullet.
You will start to get a fairly significant arc with a bullet much over 55 grains when shooting from a .223. regardless of the twist.
Savage makes a great rifle. I would look for one with a 1 in 12 twist if I were buying .223 for shooting coyotes. And my experience is that a 22 to a 24 inch barrel is all you need. In fact it may well be the case that a 26 inch barrel is slower for the same charge than a 22 inch barrel.
Yes, I don't think you are going to get much if any useful velocity from the longer barrel. Just check to see if you like the balance and if it fits in a gun case.
I have some 26" barreled match rifles. In 308 you get a trifle more velocity and a bit more sight radius. But they don't balance as well as my 24" barreled rifles and they are harder to fit in a case.
jhansman
Member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,113
I have the Savage 12VLP (almost got the 12FVSS, but opted for the other), and it is easily the most accurate rifle I have yet shot. Yes, it's big with that 26" barrel, but if you are varminting from a fixed spot, the gun size ought not matter that much, and the extra 4" will serve you.
skinewmexico
Member
My 1-7 Savage shoots 80g Berger VLDs very well from 500 yards out. I'd get the 12, so if I wanted to change the barrel and do something else with it some day, it wouldn't look so Fuddite.
I feel the same way about a fully camo'd rifle. People killed coyotes for years with out it. And you can get a camo job that is just as effective with a couple of cans of Krylon.
I feel the same way about a fully camo'd rifle. People killed coyotes for years with out it. And you can get a camo job that is just as effective with a couple of cans of Krylon.
stubbicatt
Member
I have a longer barrel on my CZ which has the slower 12 inch twist. It balances nicely.
I've owned and shot the heavy barrel rifles, and I really think that a properly manufactured rifle with a "skinny" barrel will shoot as well as the heavy barrels, and it is so much more pleasant to carry.
I've owned and shot the heavy barrel rifles, and I really think that a properly manufactured rifle with a "skinny" barrel will shoot as well as the heavy barrels, and it is so much more pleasant to carry.
rangerruck
Member
Really, you may need to move fast, and track, and that could be hard and entangleing to do with a 26 in bbl. the full cammo job one from savage, was made for , and designed specifically for, yote hunting, so that should tell you something. the 26 in bbl job, is made for dog towns, and target shooting to long range. Plus , if you are gonna hump around in the woods, a 26 in bbl is much heavier, and gets hung up easier , on a lot of F(*& you vines.
vmfrantz
Member
I agree with stubbycat that a smaller contour barrle can shoot just as well. Although that only works for me when I dont shoot a lot of rounds consecutivly. You will need to give the barrle time to cool between shots. I know, I have tried this.
trstafford
Member
short and light in 223 heavy in 22-250
If you are stuck on getting a 223 then consider this CZ in 223
http://cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=15
If you are wanting the rifle and the cartridge is not a problem consider stepping up to 22-250 or 243 in the long barrel they will better utilize the longer barrel length.
If you are stuck on getting a 223 then consider this CZ in 223
http://cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=15
If you are wanting the rifle and the cartridge is not a problem consider stepping up to 22-250 or 243 in the long barrel they will better utilize the longer barrel length.
- Status
