Light barrel .223 for targets?

[ejg]

I'd say the heavy rifle is inherently more accurate for rapid fire for two reasons:

- repeated recoil introduces fatigue into the shooter, which leads to a deterioration in recoil management
- repeated firing heats up a skinny barrel fast, which changes the harmonics in an already flexible lump of metal, which change the point of impact

Agree a heavy rifle can be held steadier. Barrel heat with a 223 that has roughly half the powder of say a 308 and 1.4 less internal barrel surface to transfer heat will be way less than say a 308. Maybe a 223 sporter could be similar heat wise to a varmint 308?? Fatigue, also less with less recoil.
I think a lightweight 223 is a good way to start shooting and maybe getting rid of some bad habits. Even wind effect is much more visible with a lower bc bullet, one can learn more.
I love plinking at longer ranges in high winds with the 223, you really see the effect of the wind.
edi

 

[trickie]

Agree a heavy rifle can be held steadier. Barrel heat with a 223 that has roughly half the powder of say a 308 and 1.4 less internal barrel surface to transfer heat will be way less than say a 308. Maybe a 223 sporter could be similar heat wise to a varmint 308?? Fatigue, also less with less recoil.
I think a lightweight 223 is a good way to start shooting and maybe getting rid of some bad habits. Even wind effect is much more visible with a lower bc bullet, one can learn more.
I love plinking at longer ranges in high winds with the 223, you really see the effect of the wind.
edi

edj
Recoil management, as Part of the marksmanship principles should always make a sound beginning to shooting regardless of discipline. Reading and accuracy in wind calls is a time consuming and multi faceted skill, that on some days I can do well with and other days I’m poor at. All it takes is something to distract me and I’ve a change of getting a wrong call.

 

[jaseo69er]

Provided your shot strings are not too many too often, then you’ll be ok. The lighter profile barrel will over heat and poss loose accuracy with overly long string and insufficient time to cool between. It is 20 rounds in 20 minutes you should be fine.
The stock is also light, a bit mor weight would possibly help with accuracy, however only you will know how well you can shoot the rifle. The trigger is a good choice, it should have a very repeatable break - jus what you need.

Rebarreling will depend on your needs, if you need both barrels, then a second rifle, won’t be double the cost of a new rifle, depending of course what your finances dictate.

I have the same set up I use for competition at 100yards amd 200yards the problem in summer months barrel heats up so fast after 5 shots if the competition your in there's no time limit you should be fine shoot 5 rest for 10-15 mins shoot the next 5 also standard set up and I cone in the top 3 every comp at 200 yards against some expensive rifles it's all down to relaoding as well lol

 

[NP435]

Is anyone here using their sporter barrel .223 for occasional target shooting?
I bought a Howa 1500 .223 22inch sporter barrel 1 in 8 twist for foxing but I would like to take part in the occasional 300 meter comp from time to time,so far I've changed the stock to a PSE carbon fibre hunter stock and I've put a Timney 1.5 pound trigger in.Would this set up be ok to get me going or am I likely going to have to rebarrel in the future to a heavier profile barrel?

20 shots in 20 mins is very slow fire, yes open bolt and mod off will help cool the barrel. Don't worry about heat and accuracy if the mating surfaces are square, and stock bedded correctly all should be well.

 

[NP435]

Your biggest issue (which hasn’t been touched on) is Mirage. You can’t shoot what you can’t see. A thinner profile barrel will heat quicker but also cool quicker. As mentioned above, if you’re on a bench a cheap battery powered fan to your flank will help a great deal. Not in terms of cooling so much, but pushing the heat haze (mirage) away from your sight picture. It will have a very minimal effect on actual cooling.

As the barrel heats up, especially the chamber, you’ll see an increase in MV and potentially start seeing pressure signs. Even the most temperature stable powders will show a slight MV increase.

Again as mentioned above, you won’t kill the barrel, it’s purely a case of ammunition MV/SD variations and being able to see the target your shooting at

Indeed sir correct and that is why I do not chamber a round when the barrel is hot until I am ready to fire. Most of my hot barrel stuff these days is in prairie dog towns where I may fire 150 to 300 shots per day in 30 to 35 degree weather.

 

[308tikka]

Your dead right, for me having to use off the shelf factory ammunition for comps is a big draw back and I'm left with having to chose a brand that's regularly available in my local shops,but it is what it is I suppose Hornady 75gr bthp match seems to be running well in my barrel so I'm going to run with this until I can find something that might work better.

How do the southern F Class guys possibly manage without being able to handload? .......

 

[Steelrain]

Well this little Howa setup went to its first competition yesterday in the Beautiful Co Kerry.F-Class at 300 yards 20 rounds in 20 minutes x 2 so a total of 40 rounds fired over the day,And I have to say it handled it very well and I had no need to worry about the barrel heating up or a problem with mirage, the barrel was barely luke warm to the touch at the end of the first 20 shots. when I done my part the rifle grouped excellently for a factory barrel with 1 memorable string of 5 shots stacking nicely at 4 o'clock in the 9 ring,not ideal I know to be In the 9 but the grouping did impress me. My wind calls gave me trouble through the day and I ended up holding off too much on some shots way more than was needed and ended up falling out to the 9 and 8 ring too frequently so something I'll have to work on. I ended the day on a score of 306 out of 360 but I was still happy as this was my first outing with this rifle and the first competition for myself in a good few years. I had one issue on the day that plagued me throughout which was my bipod a Harris swivel clone,I felt very unstable on the rifle and every time I would try and position myself on the rifle for my shot the front of the rifle would constantly twitch and move around which drove me crazy.So I'll have to look into a more stable bipod before my next competition on May 13th.