.223 custom barrel barrel length.

[Eagleeye]

I am thinking of getting .223 custom rifle and not sure what barrel length to go for?
It will be wist 1:7 for 100 to 1000 yards.

Thanks

 

[scotch_egg]

How much have you shot to 1000?

Anything over 600 and it’s a game changer. Even 400 can be a nightmare depending on topography. Don’t be expecting first round v bulls on anything but a flat range.

 

[Eagleeye]

I have only tried .223 at 100 yards but that was hunting round 53gr max.
Gunsmith seems to think it will shoot up to 1000 yards with 77 gr.

 

[Bowland blades]

The FTR Champs was won a while back now by Laurie Holland with a 223 Long High BC bullets and a long barrel, against lots of good shooters with their 308s . I am pretty happy to take Legal pests and the .22 legal in the field to 300yds . Only issue is with copper bullets on the deer is you will suffer a higher amount of poor terminal effects on the lega; deer so i have to bring the range distance lower

 

[MarinePMI]

I have only tried .223 at 100 yards but that was hunting round 53gr max.
Gunsmith seems to think it will shoot up to 1000 yards with 77 gr.

It's doable, but requires practice.

We have several local shooters that routinely clean stages (10-12 rds) out to 885yds. But you need to be able to call the wind.

As to barrel length, I'd suggest 24", but that's just a personal preference for rifles used for long range.

 

[Eagleeye]

Forgot to mention I am only using the rifle for target shooting.

 

[Cyres]

Mine is 26" 1:8. Cut Border barrels in an AICS . Not often used it a 1000yds only at Orion. 600m 10" steel is boring. 69 TMK.
Laurie is the man who is best placed to advise.
D

 

[simgre]

Mine is a standard 700 Police 26”, 1:9”. 69gn SMK. Had it to 800 and it was a hoot. As said above, you better learn to read the wind.

 

[Bowland blades]

I am thinking of getting .223 custom rifle and not sure what barrel length to go for?
It will be wist 1:7 for 100 to 1000 yards.

Thanks

Are you going to be shooting FTR ? if your not there are a load more options and classes / disciplines

 

[6.5-06 TIKKA]

I have a R700 PSS custom with a new Broughton barrel 1in 8 twist and 27 inches long
Bedded action and Jewel trigger.
Shoots 80gr smk easy to 600m with. 25 moa. When I do my job right.
I would suggest 1 in 7 with 90 grain bullets and 30 inch barrel.
I would suggest you look at old articles regards this on Accurate Rifle, etc

 

[ASHCROFT9491]

I went this route and currently selling mine as downsizing my collection.(shameless plug lol)

I went 1in7 for the heavier bullets and 24" as don't like long barrels
With 75gr eldm pushing 3000fps was hitting fine at 1000yd.

Only shot once at that distance, the 1 in 7 would be the choice for me and if I was keeping the rifle would be trying the 80gr eldm next

They'll be plenty on US forums re shooting at 1000yd with the heavier 223 bullets

 

[Eagleeye]

Are you going to be shooting FTR ? if your not there are a load more options and classes / disciplines

No FTR at the moment.

 

[6.5-06 TIKKA]

I'd also check out old post from Savage and their FTR rifle and spec for reference too

 

[Sniper308]

In short to answer your question I’d go 26”
However for normal.223 use 22” is fine and ungangly
If I was shooting 1000 yards there’s a few calibres I’d choose before a .223

 

[Memphis]

I have only tried .223 at 100 yards but that was hunting round 53gr max.
Gunsmith seems to think it will shoot up to 1000 yards with 77

 

[Scooby-3]

If it’s target only you need to be looking at a 30-32” barrel 7 or 6.5 twist barrel depending on bullet and single shot action to be able to load the heavy 85gr + bullets out as long as possible. Also best decide on a bullet and have the barrel throated to suit.

 

[Scooby-3]

I have only tried .223 at 100 yards but that was hunting round 53gr max.
Gunsmith seems to think it will shoot up to 1000 yards with 77 gr.

Not sure who you smith is but 77gr bullet would be fine for 600y but you are going to be p*ssing in the wind at 1000y with it out of a 223

 

[bluesako]

id go for a bigger calibre now, if you want to shoot 1000yds, because you will end up with a bigger calibre in a years time, gl bs

 

[Heym SR20]

I am thinking of getting .223 custom rifle and not sure what barrel length to go for?
It will be wist 1:7 for 100 to 1000 yards.

Thanks

If you going long range you want as much velocity as you can get. Thus go for as long barrel as you can manage. But to some extent profile will also affect how it balances etc. but if shooting off a solid rest or bipod much less important.

I run a Rem 700 with a 26” Varmint barrel. Don’t notice the length even with a moderator. Its only a 1 in 12” factory twist and I do notice that. When funds allow it will be changed for a faster twist but of similar length and profile.

Edit: if you go for a long barrel, and if after a while its too long, you can always shorten it. But I don’t know of any gun smith who can graft a piece of new barrel onto a barrel that is too short. I suppose you could cut a thread and tenon, and time it very carefully so that the rifling all aligned but that’s assuming that the new bit of barrel has identical rifling to the existing barrel.

 

[trickie]

Lots of sound advice on:

Velocity
Bullet weight
Barrel twist
Wind
Velocity

Best of all a heavier calibre, even if it’s only to a 6mm BR or similar

You will need to not only read the wind very well, shoot very well and manufacture your bullets with a very low ES. Obtain the best and most expensive bullets for your rifle (that it also shoots very well). Not mentioning, Quality accurate repeatability in your reloading equipment and process.

Pushing a light round to 1,000 on Stickledown, where wind is very……… Interesting is a challenge almost each and every time you shoot.
Reading the wind at 100, 200 and 300 is only a small part of the puzzle, scope magnification, mirage, your rifle front support (bag rest bipod) rear support) and you consistent shooting ability all conspire to make this difficult.

Good luck, when it goes your way it a fantastic feeling.