Thread: 223 barrel length?

Originally Posted by kimjon

Can't Remember velocity of top of my head, but .223 isn't a good choice for long range. Any range up to 300m isn't really effected by velocity. Look at just about all centre fire ballistics and they all shoot to about the same point out to 300m be it at .223, or a super duper wsm... they're all about the same give or take a couple inches.

Beyond 300m the faster calibre will start to show up the slower ones, but beyond 300m the .223 has little energy and massive wind drift, so it's not ideal unles used in perfect conditions.

Kj

A heavy barrelled 223 with heavy projectiles can foot it with a 308 out to 900 or 1000 yards for target shooting.
Our Savage 223 described above shoots accurately out to 900 yards, can do 1000 if it isn't too windy.

Hunting might be a different story, but don't generalise about 223s and longer ranges please.

The original question suggested heavy projectiles in a short barrel, possibly not the best combo.

Originally Posted by Cyclops

A heavy barrelled 223 with heavy projectiles can foot it with a 308 out to 900 or 1000 yards for target shooting.
Our Savage 223 described above shoots accurately out to 900 yards, can do 1000 if it isn't too windy.

Hunting might be a different story, but don't generalise about 223s and longer ranges please.

The original question suggested heavy projectiles in a short barrel, possibly not the best combo.

There are some very talented marksmen and in no wind conditions I'm sure there are some tight groups that get quoted by someone using a .223. But with BC's in the .2 - .36 range and slow velocities with the heavier billets...on a windy day you may as well leave your .223 at home.

I'm not anti .223 its the calibre I've used the most, professional hunting for 12 years with one, shot 10's of thousands of rounds in that calibre...love the little .223...but I'm also well aware of its limitations.

For pukus intended use its perfect. But it's not my first choice for long range.

Kj

Originally Posted by kimjon

There are some very talented marksmen and in no wind conditions I'm sure there are some tight groups that get quoted by someone using a .223. But with BC's in the .2 - .36 range and slow velocities with the heavier billets...on a windy day you may as well leave your .223 at home.
Kj

FWIW the BC of a 75 gr A-Max is 0.435 and 80 gr A-Max is 0.453, a little higher than the range 0.2 - 0.36