When I bought the gun, I never thought I'd be writing this post. I have, however, had the pleasure of shooting out the barrel of my Cooper M21 .222 Rem. I've settled on a Krieger barrel (probably a light target contour) with a 1:14 twist (50-52 gr bullets only). What I cannot decide on is the chambering. I want something with a bit more zap than the deuce but don't want to give up much in accuracy. My initial thought is a .223 AI. Any suggestions?

If it were me I'd forget the AI and go with the vanilla 223. Might I ask, how many rounds did it take to shoot out the barrel of your 222?

I'd agree with the standard .223 but I'd recommend a 1-12" twist

One might also consider the .204 as well if he's rebarreling.

I agree with the standard .223. Also I am curious about the number of shots it took to shoot out the barrel. Would a barrel set back be an option?

I also would vote for a 223 and am very curious as to how many rounds it took to shoot out that Wilson barrel- 6-7K?

just maybe to be different but i'd go for a 222 mag

I thought about the 222 mag also, but I wonder what the availabilty of new brass will be down the road.

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Originally posted by craigster:
If it were me I'd forget the AI and go with the vanilla 223. Might I ask, how many rounds did it take to shoot out the barrel of your 222?

I just don't think all the fireforming is worth the gain in this cartridge. And I too am curious about the round count for the .222 Rem recently deceased?

I have a 223 Ackley Improved with a 14" twist used for shooting 40 grain bullets. I reload with standard 223 Lee collet dies which made the switch pretty simple.

I've got an AR-15, so in essence already have a .223. My interest in the AI version is not in the added performance but rather in the "cool factor". BTW, to date I've logged in the neighborhood of 13,000 rounds from the factory barrel. The odd thing is, accuracy didn't gradually get worse, there was a sudden and significant decrease. I suspect it was more from inadvertently firing the rifle with an o-ring from a Sinclair rod guide in the chamber than the number of rounds.

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Originally posted by vapodog:
I'd agree with the standard .223 but I'd recommend a 1-12" twist

One might also consider the .204 as well if he's rebarreling.

Yup, that is exactly what I would do.

No fireforming, less recoil, "more Zap".

But I guess an AI is OK too.......

Jim

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BTW, to date I've logged in the neighborhood of 13,000 rounds from the factory barrel.

I'd say you got your moneys worth and then some.

223 it just a very nice round .

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223 it just a very nice round

After going through a couple bolt guns and a self shucker have to agree, dandy little cartridge.

I didn't know you could shoot out a .222 barrel.

The old benchrest competitors said it was nearly impossible.

How many rounds fired?

6MM/.223? not that big of a stretch with the platform you have now. working on mine now but, I'm impressed with it so far. same case head size and brass is readily available from GI stock. not a barrel burner either from what i hear.