.223, rate of twist, and barrel length

[AK again]

So what's the scoop on .223 out of a short barrel?
How will a 1:7 twist rate work for stabilizing heavier bullets, and how will a short (8-in.) barrel effect bullet stabilization?
How much poop does one lose when shooting .223 out of, say, an 8-in. to 10-in. barrel?
Thoughts? Experience?
Thanks.

[O.S.O.K.]

Here's a good link for you: http://forums.officer.com/forums/arc...hp/t-9548.html

Everything I've read indicates that you lose pretty much everything that makes the .223 a capable catridge when you go short...

[Schuetzenman]

I would suspect that a 10" barrel will reduce the .223 to not much better than a .38 spl. in power.

[gpwasr10]

I would suspect that a 10" barrel will reduce the .223 to not much better than a .38 spl. in power.

THIS

The 5.56 disturbing wound channels happen at velocities as near to 3000 fps you can get. Not that I would wanna be shot with one doing 2400 FPS., but still.

But if you absolutely NEED a 5.56 in a length shorter then 16", go with the 1:7 cause you are going to want to shoot the heaviest pill you can load.. unless this is a "fun gun" then just get the cheapest barrel you can find and go to it.

[Helen Keller]

I have a 11.5 barrel on my gun

IF I take my time with handloads I can shoot just as good as I can within 300yds with a 20" gun.


I have done extensive testing/shooting with various weights/loads out to 700yds . Im working on a 75gr BTHP load for this weekend to see what it can do.




For the Kommandos sake:

Penetration is still good at 300yds with heavier loads, IF I had to I would pick my bulgy Ak74SU SBR over my 11" SBR AR any day of the week between the two if I had to shoot more than 500 yds and make it count.

[AK again]

@ Hellen: AKS-74U in the original 5.45? Or are you talking .223?

[AK again]

Here's a good link for you: http://forums.officer.com/forums/arc...hp/t-9548.html

Everything I've read indicates that you lose pretty much everything that makes the .223 a capable catridge when you go short...

Interesting read! I sort of expected as much, really. I think my barrel has a 1:7 rate of twist, so conceivably it will spin a heavy bullet fast enough to stabilize it ... but I'm sure there's a nasty velocity loss with the heavy bullets...
I also measured out the barrel ... looks like 9.5 in. will get it short enough to install the muzzle device without interfering with it. Anyone have a suchka that they'd take a photo of (without the muzzle device) for reference?

ETA: Another interesting article...
http://www.ar15.com/forums/announcement.html?b=3&f=16&id=162" target="_blank">http://www.ar15.com/forums/announcem...=3&f=16&id=162

[6gunsal]

I would love to see this on the box o truth.

[O.S.O.K.]

Stabilization is affected by velocity, so I would expect that you'd need to back off of the weight some even with the 1:7 twist rate.... like no more than 69 grain match bullets...

If you're handloading, you may be able to improve your performance by going with a faster burning powder... I'd look at data for Contenders to see what's worked for them.

[mriddick]

I've chrono'ed 223's from a 7 inch barrel and got close to 2000 fps, at that velocity I'd just buy a 22 mag pistol and have a much more compact package. I suspect 2000-2200 FPS is obtainable which really hurts all I want from the 223. If I was going the SBR route I'd go with a 762x39 which isn't hurt nearly as much as the 223 is from a short barrel.