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.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

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.

The ADI ammo is awesome, in my experience. It’s definitely worth checking out. As is the Frontier 5.56. The Bone Frog didn’t group well in my rifle, so I have reserved it for my AR. That’s not to say it won’t do well in yours. We are blessed to have a bunch of quality options. I have a post with some results from about 15 different factory loads.

 

[longrangelead]

I went 18" hoping 73ELDMS would shoot well and line up with Avg gun quick drop. 73's @ 2840 is working and Avg gun QD is SOOO nice.
I would make trades in barrel length, velocity. etc to have Avg gun QD.

 

[cal30_sniper]

The ADI ammo is awesome, in my experience. It’s definitely worth checking out. As is the Frontier 5.56. The Bone Frog didn’t group well in my rifle, so I have reserved it for my AR. That’s not to say it won’t do well in yours. We are blessed to have a bunch of quality options. I have a post with some results from about 15 different factory loads.

I’ve got a couple cases of Frontier 55gr that has been awesome. It’s loaded pretty hot, but shoots really well from every gas and bolt gun I’ve tried it in. I’ll check out your thread!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I’ve got a couple cases of Frontier 55gr that has been awesome. It’s loaded pretty hot, but shoots really well from every gas and bolt gun I’ve tried it in. I’ll check out your thread!

The Tikka .223 results start at Post #42:

What did you do at the range today?

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