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Opinions on 20" barrel for .223? (the result is in)

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:07 pm
by X146-2
Hi all,
Just looking for some thoughts on barrel length for a .223 walking varminter.
Rifle is a Howa HB on a modified Boyds VT. Idea is a comfortable carrying rifle
that I plan on shooting out to 300m.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 3:21 pm
by Seddo
I have had an 18" barrel and it can get noisy but i was still able to get the 40gr vmax out of it at 3600. If you want someting thats compact and easy to point and swaiung cut her down!!!

Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:27 pm
by chappo555
I had a 20 inch tobler fluted SS in 223 that was awesome.

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:26 pm
by The Raven
I haven't owned anything like this but....

If Ruger can do a scout rifle in 308W with a 18inch barrel (Oz version) then it couldn't hurt a .223 much.

Yes, it'll probably be louder. Yes, you may lose a fraction of muzzle speed...but if that was a serious concern you wouldn't be toying with the idea.

Go ahead and do it! :D

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:35 am
by Seddo
I forgot i have a 7615 with a 16.5" barrel, but its soon to be rebarreled to 300-221.

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:30 pm
by mick_762
The army usues a short barrel on the Steyer... still shoots out to 300m...
Why not cut her down

Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:32 pm
by Curtley78
A Steyr utilised by a section is capable of harassing fire out to 800 meters.

Re: Opinions on 20

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 5:25 pm
by Buffy
Sean Ambrose wrote:A Steyr utilised by a section is capable of harassing fire out to 800 meters.
Austeyr section fire is 600m with the standard barrel. However, 600m is a very long way with 1.5x optics and that stupid bloody dohnut,

Cheers

BB. :hunting:

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 9:44 pm
by mick_762
Umm not to say your wrong fella's, but 600m used to be the SLR not the Steyer.
Currently Soldiers are not routinely taught to fire past 300m, unless they are using the H&K Designated Marksman Rifle, in 7.62mm.

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:36 am
by Seddo
I fitted my pacnor prefit 223AI barrel last night, its 20" long and 6.5T. I will take some pics over the weekend when i put a few rounds through her.

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:16 am
by X146-2
Thanks gents,
I will give it the chop this w/end. Will post some pics of the finished rifle soon.
Cheers

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:00 pm
by The Raven
X146-2 wrote:Thanks gents,
I will give it the chop this w/end. Will post some pics of the finished rifle soon.
Cheers
Get crazy and chop it at a weird angle, then dream up some 'expert' sounding reason for doing so. :wink:

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 11:54 am
by Camel
The Raven wrote:
X146-2 wrote:Thanks gents,
I will give it the chop this w/end. Will post some pics of the finished rifle soon.
Cheers
Get crazy and chop it at a weird angle, then dream up some 'expert' sounding reason for doing so. :wink:

??? Crown shaped crown would look interesting. 8) 8)

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223?

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 7:57 pm
by X146-2
Here it is!
Howa .223 (barrel is now 500mm from front of action with an 11 deg crown), Boyds VT (with some mods), Bushnell Elite 4-16x40, DNZ one piece rail/mount, mounts and action are bedded.
Looking forward to working up a load next w/end with 50g Nosler Ballistic Tips.
Cheers.

Re: Opinions on 20" barrel for .223? (the result is in)

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:12 am
by Glenn
Looks good mate.
Also try 50gr V-Max, they work very!

Glenn