Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles best barrel length on a bolt action .223?

Though I generally have no interest in varmint hunting, lately I've been thinking that it would be worthwhile to have an accurate .223 boltgun along with other centerfires. Particularly if the .223 had the same ergonomics as my primary medium-bore. Primary use would be target shooting, secondary use would be varmint hunting.

Given the expected uses, aside from theoretical barrel stiffness concerns there wouldn't be any advantage to a short barrel. I do like the idea of reduced report and blast with a longer barrel. So I'm thinking 24" barrel minimum, and maybe 26" in a medium profile barrel. If you were going to rebarrel a boltgun to .223, what barrel length would you choose?

21"

22"

I've got a 24" bbl on mine, and have never felt it was a hindrance in any way ... granted, it's a very heavy rifle, set up for varmint/target use ...

Should I be carrying a lighter weight rifle though, I'd opt for 22" ... maybe 21", depending on the exact specs of the rifle and its intended uses ...

20"

I currently own 223's in 16", 20", 22", 24", and 26", the 20" is my favorite overall length.

21" is what I've been using for years.

Dober

A nice walking sporter would be nice with anything from 20"-24" depending on the weight of the stock. The heavier the stock, the longer the barrel. Just my opinion, I like the weight forward.

Wow, I'm really surprised that most of your preferences are for a shorter barrel. I know the AR-15 community leans towards pretty short barrels, 14-18", but I would have expected traditional varminters to prefer longer barrels.

It just don't require the extra length. I'll probably do one in a chunk with a 7ish contour at 20-21".

For rifle fit I like a 23"-24" barrel, and that's what I'd build. But as the guys have stated, the 223 doesn't need it.

My 223AI is being cut 20" (Rock in Sendero contour) and threaded for a can.

I had the same thoughts as you. Once in a while, I get a chance to get some chucks or coyotes but not too often. I wanted a rifle close to my normal hunting setups but in 223 to take advantage of cheap ammo.

I scored a cheap NIB Rem 700 ADL in 223, threw it into a CDL SA stock and went shooting. It has a 24" barrel and it is OK. I might shorten it to 21" or 22" but that is down the road. I haven't regretted the purchase that's for sure.

RH

Funny you should mention that, in the back of my mind I was thinking that if I ever move out to the country and need to pot a few groundhogs or coyotes, a suppressor would be a handy thing to keep the neighbors from bellyaching about the noise. It would be nice if the same can could be used on a hunting rifle and an AR, but AIUI the hot ticket for ARs is the kind of can that slips over the flash hider rather than the screw-on type.

You've got it right!
24" barrel minimum, and maybe 26" is where I would be.
remember to match the twist to the bullet weight you plan on using!!!

What I did for my first bolt action .223 Rem was look for a full size, 22-inch barrel make and model that matched some of my most familiar .30-06s, .270s, etc - a Remington Model 700 BDL.

If you shoot a Ruger 77 .308, then I would suggest a Ruger 77 in .223.

If your favorite deer rifle is an A-Bolt II in .270, then get an A-Bolt II in .223, and put the same scope on both of them.

If you just bought a Tikka T3 and love it, get a T3 in .223 to match.

My next one will probably be a CZ 527, because it is scaled down to .223 size, and has open sights. Cool tool.

Personally I like a 22" but a 24" barrel wouldnt be too long, I wouldnt care for a 26" barrel at all..............547.

Mine is 21", and I'm real happy with it at that length. It be accurate too..

Don

I like longer barrels. Mine are all 24 or 26 inches. Lightweights get cut to 24", heavier stuff is at 26".

Works fine for me.

I have a nice sporter 223 built on a Mini Mauser action with a 20in. barrel, also a Rem. M700 with a #5 Hart barrel 24ins. long. I shoot the light, short gun alot more.

BTW, the 4in. difference in barrel lenght amounts to just about 100fps. total. Pedro