16" AR .223 Rem Velocities

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firstshot

New member
I'm considering a 16" barrel in .223 Rem and was wandering what kind of velocities can be expected with this barrel length. Have any of you guys actually chronographed velocities with a 16" barrel? If so, could you please advise ammo type or load info (bullet type, powder, etc) along with velocities achieved?

Thanks

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!
 
firstshot, chronographed mine a while back. I have the DPMS 16" ss fluted bull barrel on mine. I am using the Ultramax 50gr bal. tip nosler ammo and am getting around 3050fps. I alo have tried the Black Hills 52gr match hollow points and am getting the same with those as well. When I shoot the Black hills 52gr's out of my RRA SS EOP Bull 24" barrel I get around 3350fps and when I shoot the Ultramax 50gr bal. tips out of the 24" RRA I get 3250fps but I get the same with both out of the 16" barrel. Must be the difference in the way the powders burn out of each barrel.
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I load 26.5 grs of Benchmark with a 50 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip in WW cases and Federal 205 match primers, I averaged 3285 fps out of my 16" Colt. The same load ran close to 3400 fps out of a Sako and CZ with 22.5" and 21.5" barrels respectively. It is the fastest, cleanest, most accurate load that I've tried, all three of these guns shot under 1/2" at 100 yards.
 
Thanks guys, thats exactly what I needed to know. I'm thinking about putting a OLy 16 SUM on top of a RRA lower. I'll be using a Burris scope with Ballistic plex reticle and at 3,100 FPS I can sight in 1 inch high @ 100 and then using the additional aim points be within 1.5" out to 400 YDs.

Dtech says his 20" fluted barrel rig comes in at a little less than 8.5 Lbs. I haven't asked him yet, but I would guess that his 16" fluted rig would come in a little over 7.5 Lbs and I'm thinking that would make a really nice carry preditor calling rig.

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!
 
firstshot, the one I have pictured above with 20 round loaded clip comes in around 9.5lbs with the Nikon 4.5x14 40mm mildot side focus. Light compared to my RRA EOP 24" ss bull barrel with Burris 8x32 50mm signature mildot and harris bipod comes in at 13.5lbs.
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lpalser

I assume that's your DPMS 16. Sweet lookin rig. Which do you use most for calling the 16" or the 24"? Man that 24" RRA at 13.5 Lbs would be a chunk to pack around.


firstshot
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Make your first shot count!
 
firstshot, that's my DPMS 16. The reason I went with 16" was for carrying and the speed of swinging on running coyotes. I must say I'm pleased with the accuracy and less weight. I still use my 24" for prairie dogs and it's an awesome gun for that.

lpalser
 
lpalser

My thoughts exactly on the 16" for "carrying and handling". Some folks have recommended that I go with the 20" for added velocity & trajectory, but where I hunt a 300 Yd shot would be a looooooooong shot. Also, I plan to use it for Coyote, Bobcat & Fox and I'm thinking that the slightly slower velocities of the 16", while being adequate for Coyote, would be a bit more fur friendly on the Bobcat & Fox.

What kind of accuracy and effective range are you getting from your DPMS? I've heard a lot of positive comments about the Oly Ultramatch barrels being extremely accurate & able to shoot in the 1/4" range @ 100Yds. I reload and practice a "LOT" both from the bench and in various field positions. I really enjoy developing loads for my guns, trying to shoot those ever elusive little bitty groups, and firmly believe that it all translates into familiarity with your firearms and effectiveness in the field.

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!
 
firstshot, Haven't done any reloading yet. The factory loads seem to doing good enough for me as I don't have alot of time to experiment. I am planning on trying some Ultramax 55gr bal. tip noslers. My 16" barrel is the 1:9 twist and my 24" is 1:12. Most guys on the forum seem to like the 1:8. This group below was from my 16" barrel with RRA national match trigger lower. It can shoot 100yd. 1/2" groups consistantly. My 24" shoots 1/4" groups. I agree, the more I practice the better I can group.

lpalser

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