Rokslide 223 trainer barrel length

[cal30_sniper]

I don’t want to be argumentative but in the interest of sound advice, I have to point out that my 20” 223 can push the TMK at about 2800 FPS, which keeps it above 1800 FPS out to 580 yards where I hunt.

Chopping 4 inches off will drop that velocity around 100 FPS to about 2700 FPS and that means the effective range for hunting is now about 500 yards where I hunt.

Certainly there are better choices for true long-range hunting but for the OP, if you won’t be hunting past 400 yards, there’s really no downside to a 16” barrel on the 223.

I’d also add that I don’t reload for .223. The 77gr factory loads I’ve tried have all been around 2650-2700 from the 20” barrel. That really only carries 1800fps out to about 500yds at my elevation. Assuming a 100fps velocity loss to 16” (which is a solid assumption with .223), that does limit to about 400yds even at a mile elevation.

I was really noticing the limitation of even the 20” shooting near sea level in southern AZ this spring.

Edit to add: I went back and looked at my chrono data for 16” Ruger Gunsite and 20” Tikka. There was a 185fps loss for the one 77gr load that I had data for both of them on. That’s not insignificant, but some of it could be differences in chamber/bore dimensions that I’m not sure how one would account for.

 

[wind gypsy]

Mine is a near copy of my primary hunting rifle (18" 6 creed) so the same barrel length made sense to me. Don't overthink it.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I’d also add that I don’t reload for .223. The 77gr factory loads I’ve tried have all been around 2650-2700 from the 20” barrel. That really only carries 1800fps out to about 500yds at my elevation. Assuming a 100fps velocity loss to 16” (which is a solid assumption with .223), that does limit to about 400yds even at a mile elevation.

I was really noticing the limitation of even the 20” shooting near sea level in southern AZ this spring.

Edit to add: I went back and looked at my chrono data for 16” Ruger Gunsite and 20” Tikka. There was a 185fps loss for the one 77gr load that I had data for both of them on. That’s not insignificant, but some of it could be differences in chamber/bore dimensions that I’m not sure how one would account for.

The AAC 77-grain OTM got 2705 from my stock Tikka barrel cut down to 16”.

 

[cal30_sniper]

The AAC 77-grain OTM got 2705 from my stock Tikka barrel cut down to 16”.

That’s pretty dang fast for that barrel length. How does it group?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I’d also add that I don’t reload for .223. The 77gr factory loads I’ve tried have all been around 2650-2700 from the 20” barrel. That really only carries 1800fps out to about 500yds at my elevation. Assuming a 100fps velocity loss to 16” (which is a solid assumption with .223), that does limit to about 400yds even at a mile elevation.

I was really noticing the limitation of even the 20” shooting near sea level in southern AZ this spring.

Edit to add: I went back and looked at my chrono data for 16” Ruger Gunsite and 20” Tikka. There was a 185fps loss for the one 77gr load that I had data for both of them on. That’s not insignificant, but some of it could be differences in chamber/bore dimensions that I’m not sure how one would account for.

35-45 FPS per inch is normal and what folks can base estimates off of.

A 16” 223 with a 4” past muzzle suppressor is ideal for me.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

That’s pretty dang fast for that barrel length. How does it group?

That load didn’t group well, but several others did. The ADI 55- and 69-grain loads shoot beautifully (0.9-1.2” 10 shot groups) and get 2981 and 2750 respectively.

I got 2692 FPS from that same AAC 77-grain OTM load from my 16.1” AR. And that shot really well with it (1.5 to 2 MOA).

 

[Robobiss]

Mine is the factory 16”. I had it threaded 1/2x28.

The barrel being short isnt a hindrance. It is an awesome training/killing tool. I am getting 2,650 with a 77TMK and fairly reasonable loads. Even without a fancy OTB suppressor (regular 6” can like a poor person) it is still shorter OAL and barrel length than most of my “traditional” hunting rifles WITHOUT a can.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

A quick full magazine velocity verification check before hunts.

16” 8 twist factory tikka 223 barrel. 4” Polonium K 5.56 suppressor. Factory 5.56 77 TMK Black Hills ammo.

Scope had dialed itself up 0.1 MIL. Forgot to check cause I’m an idiot. Shot the rest of the group anyway.

 

[h2so4]

17” tikka speeds- posted previously in the .223 destroys all thread. Sorry for repeat…

 

[cal30_sniper]

Good data across the board. I need to finish shooting up this Sierra stuff at 2650 from from a 20” barrel and get onto the AAC/Bonefrog/Black Hills train.