.223 variants and wildcats

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Dmitri Popov

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I'm contemplating a future rebarreling project on a Savage action currently barreled for .223. I could just replace the current sporter barrel with a heavier barrel, which is what I had originally thought about, OR I could go to another round all together. (Still a beavy barrel)

So what are some of your favorite rounds based around the .223?

(The reason I want to stay in the .223 family is so I don't have to replace the bolt head)
 
.17, or .20?
.222 Rem, .222 Rem Mag?
Several to pick from.

Myself, stay with .223.
Hard to beat it for cheap brass and no fuss reloading accuracy.

Rc
 
Don't care if its smaller or larger than .223. I've already got a model 11 VT so the heavy barreled .223 is honestly already covered very well. Kinda want something different to play with. I've looked at everything from .17 Rem Fireball to 6x45. I just want to hear opinions on what others have used and like.

Barrel suggestions are also welcome.
 
I've enjoyed working with 204 Ruger. i have both a Savage Model 12 and an AR-15 in 204 Ruger.

221 Remington Fireball is also fun to shoot. If your intended ranges are shorter, the lower report over 223 Remington will be a bit more neighbor friendly than 223 Remington.

The 17 calibers are interesting but the small bullet and case neck make re-loading frustrating at times.

For something really different, James Calhoun makes a 19 caliber round based on the 223 case.
 
Chuck,
I dont have much experience with rifle calibers but "221 Remington Fireball" sure does sound like a heck of a lot of fun!
 
I don't know how big the deer get in your part of the world, but I've always thought that the 6x45mm would be better for harvesting them than .223, and a lot of fun to shoot, when they're not in season. I doubt it's enough cartridge to down the very largest, but might work for the smaller end of the spectrum (say, under 250 pounds?).
 
On my second .223 barrel, a 30" straight cylinder expertly installed by Pac-Nor barreling out on the west coast. With a longer barrel you'll definitely need a slower powder, I found that out. And small variations can make a big difference at longer yardages. I like the longer neck of the .222 Rem mag and may convert over to it on my next barrel change, although I'll have to invest in some neck turning equipment to keep the undersized neck with .222 brass.

Attached photo from yesterday: 26.9 grains of H414 looked good at short yardage, but at 200 yards a definite split became apparent. Small changes seem to have a big effect with longer barrels. Reduced powder by 1/10 grain for next shoot.
 

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The 204 is a hot little round, fun to shoot pdogs with. The 221 uses a lot less powder though....17 Remington is a screamer, but hard on barrels. Maybe a 17 fireball or a 20 Vartag.
 
300 blackout if you want to tinker with subsonic heavy to supersonic lighter bullets. I like the idea of a short heavy barrel in 300, threaded for suppressor to maximize the fun
 
I have a 20 VarTarg, a 221 Remington Fireball and a 223 Ackley Improved as well as a couple of 223 Rems. My favorite by far is the 221 Fireball. The dies for the 20 VarTarg were really expensive and its a lot of work to make brass for. The 223 AI just doesn't see enough velocity increase over the 223 Rem to make it worth it.
The Fireball with a 40 grain V-Max over a max charge of Li'l Gun kills Prairie Dogs with authority out to 250 yards.
 
As of right now from the research I've been doing, I believe the .223 AI is in the lead for me personally. The little bit of extra velocity is nice, the brass life savings will be nice and the ability to get a barrel to throw heavier slugs will be very nice indeed. This isn't to say I've decided by any means, but the rediculous availability of brass will be most handy :D
 
7mm TCU, simply run 223 brass through a die and expand the neck to .284". Great little deer round a lot more powerful than the 300 Blackout.
 
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