Why you should consider a 223 for a LR rifle

[Browninglover1]

Over the years I've owned a few 223s but they were always set up to run lightweight Varmint bullets and I never thought of the cartridge as a good long range option.

Fast forward a few years and I built a long 223 with a 26" barrel and a 7.5 twist barrel to run 75-80 grain bullets. With a stout charge of Varget I get 3040 fps with a 75 grain ELDM and it just flat out shoots. This load was unbelievably fun on rock chucks last spring and even killed two of them over 1200 yards!

After getting some suppressors last year I wanted to see how the rifle and suppressor would do with a quick 10 shot string. Today was test day so I loaded up a magazine and let it rip. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. What a hoot! 10 shots into 1/2 MOA is just way too much fun.

 

[Reelamin]

I use the heck out of my 223's for long range practice. Affordable and accurate. Is the center 10 ring .5"?

 

[Browninglover1]

I use the heck out of my 223's for long range practice. Affordable and accurate. Is the center 10 ring .5"?

Yes they're 1/2" center rings.

 

[comfisherman]

Just got an 8 twist for range time to offset my dwindling dollar purchasing power.

 

[Browninglover1]

Just got an 8 twist for range time to offset my dwindling dollar purchasing power.

You will love it!

 

[comfisherman]

Just wanted a little more boom then a 22lr trainer, looking forward to some trigger time at value prices. Upside is they still fling the varmint bullets if you want them to.

 

[Ken61]

Had a discussion on this topic today with a 1000 yd shooter. I asked him what range his 223 was good for. He said with 77 gr bullets he could keep them in half the man size steel at 700 yds.
The most I shoot my 60 v maxes is 500 at claybirds.

 

[backwoodsshooter]

y'all keep this up, i'll end up putting together a 223 AI

 

[Browninglover1]

y'all keep this up, i'll end up putting together a 223 AI

Worth it! Although I've heard mixed opinions on whether AI is worth it in the 223

 

[epoletna]

Details about that pretty rifle? Oh, and thanks for showing this.

 

[Lionel Boyd Johnson]

I have two .223AI and several .223s with both Match and SAAMI chambering. The biggest difference is the AI version requires much less FL sizing. Yes, the AI does have more internal volume, but the standard .223 does fine to 1,000 yards with the right bullets and loads. -Ed

 

[Mikecr]

10 shots into 1/2 MOA is just way too much fun.

Since this is a hunting gun, people should really consider your results for accuracy (not precision).
You have ~1/2moa precision, but well under 1/4moa of accuracy (at 100yds).
This is all that matters, especially at distance, and COLD BORE.

A 223 can be more accurate with a planned limit of 500yds. Here, you would be at lower twist and lighter bullets.
Flat base BR bullets tighten things up even further.

I like this because IMO accuracy is the most powerful of all ballistic attributes.
With a 223, 40gr FB BR, 1/8moa CB accuracy to 500yds (in good conditions), there is nothing in America I couldn't stalk & kill with a brain shot.
Now add availability of components, ease of reloading,, incredible barrel life,, and it seems crazy not to consider a 223.
It's even better (overall) than 6BR

 

[sierracharlie338]

Been plinking with a 223 bolt gun for years and I have to admit it's probably my favorite gun to shoot! I've shot it to 700 with 69smks and 800with 75bthps

 

[FrogFire7]

Love a good, fast twist 223 for long range practice. Does a lot more than most people would give it credit for, and super fun to shoot!