SmallCaliberCentral

I'm thinking of rebarreling my .204 Ruger Remington 700 VLS to a .223AI, and will probably go with a Pac-Nor barrel. It will be a dedicated bench rest rifle.

(Not that I'm not happy with .204. Quite the opposite, but my .204 CZ 527 shoots quite well and is MUCH lighter to carry, and I've got a .204 Tikka T3 ordered).

What would you recommend in terms of twist, contour, length, etc?

Need to ask a question first.

What weight of bullet do you want to shoot through this rifle?

If you want to ONLY shoot 40-50 grain bullets, go with a 1:14 twist.

52-65 - go with a 1:12 (some 60+ will not shoot well in a 1:12, might need faster twist rate).

68-75 gr - 1:9

Above 75 - go 1:7 or 1:8 max.

I sincerely like both of my 223AI's. This is the only round the even remotely keeps up with a 40 gr VMax fired from a 204.

PS - Both of my AI's LOVE Benchmark powder.....about 27.2-27-5 grains.

acloco has it right in all regards....it's an excellent caliber. If I had to pick one over the other in regard to a 204 or 223AI, I'd go with the 204, but as you noted, you've got that covered.

That said, my 223AI is a dedicated bench rifle, used only on ground squirrels and PD's, and my primary bullet is the 50gr Nosler BT. This rifle wears a Pac-Nor Super Match Stainless Fluted 12 twist barrel, so if I decide to shoot a different weight, there's a fair amount of leway twist-wise. I use the 50's in this rifle for the retained energy at extended ranges, and for the good BC they offer.

The photo speaks for itself, but if you want any other 223AI info tossed your way, just let either of us know.

Definitely looking for a fast twist, probably the 1 in 8. (I already have a 1 in 12 twist .223). Just wondering about barrel life in the faster twist .223AI. Still plenty of life in the AI chambering?

Other than that, I guess I'm most interested in the specific barrel that might sit nicely in my 700 VLS, e.g. contour, etc. Stick with the 26 inch length?

Your barrel life will more than likely, not be good.

The 223 case is limited to the fast to medium fast powders to be able to get the case fill rate in the mid 90 percentile. So, a 223 case, med/fast powder, trying to push a heavy bullet...will mean throat erosion.

If you want to shoot a heavier bullet at longer distances, I would lean heavily towards a 6 mm AI. The long neck on the brass helps to take the abuse of the medium burning rate powder, rather than the barrel.

acloco wrote:Your barrel life will more than likely, not be good.

How much is "not good" ? I've heard maybe 25% less life than a standard fast twist .223.

If you want to shoot a heavier bullet at longer distances, I would lean heavily towards a 6 mm AI. The long neck on the brass helps to take the abuse of the medium burning rate powder, rather than the barrel.

I'm not changing the action, so it has to be the .390 bolt face.

I'd go fast twist 204 and shoot the 50 Berger.

Run some ballistic charts and see what is best for what you hope to accomplish.

Hotshot wrote:I'd go fast twist 204 and shoot the 50 Berger. Run some ballistic charts and see what is best for what you hope to accomplish.

Oh, thanks, Hotshot, for giving me yet more attractive options!

CV32: Before you spend any money, check out the Winter 2007 issue of Small Caliber News. There's a good article on the fast 9 twist 204 Ruger and the 50gr Bergers.

You may change your mind and go this route....very impressive to say the least, and as a user of both the 223AI and the 204, if I were building one or the other right now, I'd go the 204 with 9 twist and the 50 grain route hands down.

Rick in Oregon wrote:....very impressive to say the least, and as a user of both the 223AI and the 204, if I were building one or the other right now, I'd go the 204 with 9 twist and the 50 grain route hands down.

Well, that says a lot, doesn't it. I see Pac-Nor makes a 3 groove, 1-in-9, .20 cal barrel.

CV32: The Pac-Nor stainless Super Match barrel they just finished for me in 204 11 twist with a custom match chamber shoots like a house-a-fire if that's any encouragement for you.

This makes my 5th Pac-Nor, and it will not be the last. Very, very accurate, excellent high-precision work at a reasonable cost and good delivery.

CV32 wrote:

acloco wrote:Your barrel life will more than likely, not be good.

How much is "not good" ? I've heard maybe 25% less life than a standard fast twist .223.

If you want to shoot a heavier bullet at longer distances, I would lean heavily towards a 6 mm AI. The long neck on the brass helps to take the abuse of the medium burning rate powder, rather than the barrel.

I'm not changing the action, so it has to be the .390 bolt face.

Barrel life can be as little as 1000 in some instances.

You don't have to change the action, just buy a bolt. 243/6mm is still a short action cartridge.

acloco wrote:You don't have to change the action, just buy a bolt. 243/6mm is still a short action cartridge.

Oh, I realize that. I just don't plan on changing anything other than the barrel.

What's the best way of communicating with the good folks at Pac-Nor? I submitted an email through their website a few days ago. No reply yet.