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I'm going to build a 223, I just don't know if I should build a 223 or a 223 A.I. Most shots will be from 25-300 yards. My bullet of choice will be 50-55 grains. Most varmints will weigh from a couple of pounds to 50 lbs. Also what rate of twist?? Barrel length will be 22 or 24". Probably a 5 contour Lilja. Any suggestions?? | ||
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Hglass: I have never owned a 223 A.I. but I have shot alongs side several of them. I think they are worth the extra effort and expense! I have had my eye out for an action to build a 223 A.I. on in fact. I encourage you to give the 223 Ackley Improved a try. And I hope you will go with the longer 24" barrel and get a little more "free" velocity out of your set up! Thus making the extra money and effort and expense you will be laying out on the Improved 223 worth it for you. I like long barrels, and heavy barrels at that. The Rifles I have with Lilja barrels are all splendidly accurate. I have taken numerous Coyotes with my 223's on out to just under 400 yards. They don't quite weigh 50 pounds but they have been cleanly killed when hit properly. I am already thinking of bullets for you and the Nosler 55 gr. Ballistic Tips come to mind for your needs. This bullet flies flat and has been accurate in all the Rifles I have tried them in. What action are you looking to build your rig on? With the extra speed of the 223 A.I. and what ever 55 grain bullet you find to be most accurate I am sure you will be able to make kills on your 50 pound Varmints out to 400 yards! Best of luck on your project! Hold into the wind VarmintGuy | |||
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 Sorry but I see no use for the AI. Too small of an unecessisary velocity gain extending the range only marginally. If you want it ,however ,do it.  rogerOld age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone.. | |||
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I like the 223AI and have had a couple on hand for years. The 223 is at its best with 40 to 50 grain bullets. The factory twist is 1-12, And its the most popular twist for the 223 class of cartridges. | |||
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For 300 yards AI'ing the 223 is like adding an afterburner to a turtle. You can do it but it really doesn't get you a whole lot. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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The only people that don't like AI's is people that don't own them. People seem to forget you can shoot factory ammo in an AI chambered gun. I own a 223AI and it is shooting 3850fps, from a 22" barrel with 40gr Sierras. You also don't have to trim cases. When I need more brass I just buy a box of factory Winchester white box and go shoot some stuff. Voila...fireformed case. | |||
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 Double dah! Ok RogerOld age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone.. | |||
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Here's my $.02 worth. If your going to build it on a short action ,Kimber, mini mauseror CZ go for it. If your thinking Mod 7, 600, 700 or savage think bigger .22-204, 22-250. If your thinking .223AI you want speed and your a handleloader already so the availibility of factory ammo is of little consiquence. I've been shooting a .223 for forty years and I don't think I've fired two boxes of factory ammo (other than free Mil. stuff) in it and I've shot it enough to wear out the barrel. 375win After the first shot the rest are just noise | |||
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Hglass There only few AI cases I feel are really worth the effort. You have picked one of them. Don't over look the forty grain bullet in this caliber. Your barrel weight choice is a good one. You might consider 26" to start it's easy to cut them shorter but hard to cut them longer. | |||
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I have a Winchester model 70 push feed action.
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hglass, Go for it!! Sounds like a neat way to go. I have a 223 (not an A/I) that shoots well. Also have a 222, 22BR, and a 22-250, so I never got real interested in A/I'ing a 223. But, I could get real interested in that venture.. 40 grain bullets sound like the ticket... Speed is alluring... Don | |||
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What you might consider is building a fast-twist rifle so you can use the heavy bullets. Like the 69 VLD's. When you start getting into the heavier weights just a little more powder gets meaningful in a hurry. And it will add some long-range fun to your varminting with a purpose build long range rig. | |||
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hglass Does the Mod 70 have a .378 boltface that would bee a determining factor. 375win After the first shot the rest are just noise | |||
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