Looking at a Rem 700 SPS Tactical with a 20" 223 barrel and like the rifle and price. What am I giving up with the short barrel in speed as I'm also considering a SPS Stainless in 24"? Does a little 223 case need a longer than 20" barrel? It will be used for woodchucks to 300 yds.
A 20" barrel won't be as fast as a 24" barrel, it just won't. Even with .223 capacity extra barrel length has an effect on velocity. The difference can be more or less depending on which two barrels. In practical terms there won't be a real big difference. The 223 truck gun has a 20" barrel..... load is a 40
3895. A 223 with heavy 26" barrel.....most accurate 40gr load in that one is doing 4010. Both are 14" twist. I haven't compared the two with heavier bullets......the truck gun only sees 40's and has never been chrono'd with anything heavier, the longer barrel is shot with 50's.
