wind gypsy
"DADDY"
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2014
- Messages
- 13,468
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.
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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.
That’s pretty dang fast for that barrel length. How does it group?The AAC 77-grain OTM got 2705 from my stock Tikka barrel cut down to 16”.
35-45 FPS per inch is normal and what folks can base estimates off of.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.
That’s pretty dang fast for that barrel length. How does it group?
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.
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 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!
My 20in ctr shoots Berger 73 grain load at 2670, 77gr load at 2580, bout 180fps under box advertised velocity from a 20in barrel. Have 150-160 rounds on it, zero speed up. Typical Tikka tube, slow as molasses in January *yawn* it's accurate tho!
Mine's a "RS 95" Ruger American Ranch gen2, also 16"Grabbed some AAC OTM 77gr last week and they shoot well in my factory 16”
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So the extra 2" gets you a tad under 50fps compared to my 16" with the AAC. I thought it would be more, and am pleasantly surprisedI just picked up a new Athlon chrony from Europtic and shot a few rounds of AAC 77gr TMK after shooting some 22lr out of my T1X. The AAC averaged 2616 out of a 18” tikka 223; 50f and 1k’ sea level.