Rhinorider
New member
I am considering building a new upper and am thinking 223AI or 223 WSM. I am looking for upper 3k speed with 50 and 55 grain pills. Anyone have any experience with these? Does the short, fat WSM have feeding problems?
223 AI or 223 WSM
- Thread starter Rhinorider
- Start date
204 AR
Well-known member
I have two 223AI uppers and they are great but speed wise not in the same league with the wssm. You're looking at about 3450, maybe 3500 fps with 50 grainers. That's with a 24" barrel. Actually I've been shooting 40 grainers out of mine at 3750 to 3800 fps. The 40 gr Nosler BT has been a hammer on coyotes this year, admittedly on a small sample size (5). There's a lot to like with the AI version such as cheap brass and case trimming is a thing of the past.
I also had a 25 wssm and it didn't have any feeding problems. Other "annoyances" like really thick brass that's expensive and hard to find now. I've been there and won't go there again. If I was going to do something bigger in a .224 caliber, I'd go with a 22 DTI.
I also had a 25 wssm and it didn't have any feeding problems. Other "annoyances" like really thick brass that's expensive and hard to find now. I've been there and won't go there again. If I was going to do something bigger in a .224 caliber, I'd go with a 22 DTI.
midwestpredator
Active member
I have no experience with either choice you listed but sounds like you are trying to get 22-250 speeds and that just wont happen with the 223 case. The wssm will get you there but I personally want nothing to do with them. I have an oly UMAR 22-250 and I realy like but I also have a sort of 22-250 sickness.
FWIW I run 60gr sierra hp at 3450fps and that is a very mild load but its a hammer on coyotes.
As suggested a better bet would be something off the 6.8 case. 22x6.8 from black hole weaponry or 22 dti should get you into the 3500+ with those bullets weights.
As suggested a better bet would be something off the 6.8 case. 22x6.8 from black hole weaponry or 22 dti should get you into the 3500+ with those bullets weights.
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John Leslie
New member
I have a .223 WSSM upper made by DTech several years ago. and like all DTech creations it's a great rifle. It's never had feeding problems, but remember the magazine follower must be altered to handle the fat WSSM cartridge. Regular off the shelf AR-15 mags won't work.
If you want 220 Swift or .22-250 performance out of an AR-15, this cartridge will produce it. The reloading books actually give it more velocity then the Swift, but I don't load to max velocity. I shoot 55 and 60 gr. Nosler BT's and 65 gr. Sierras in this rifle.
I'm also interested in an AR in .223 AI, but have been unable to find someone to build me one.
If you want 220 Swift or .22-250 performance out of an AR-15, this cartridge will produce it. The reloading books actually give it more velocity then the Swift, but I don't load to max velocity. I shoot 55 and 60 gr. Nosler BT's and 65 gr. Sierras in this rifle.
I'm also interested in an AR in .223 AI, but have been unable to find someone to build me one.
I have a Lee Moser built 223AI upper, Lee had a reamer made or made himself that has a bit more rounded edge on the shoulder to help them feed from a magazine. I don't know what happened with him as I have not been able to contact him in several years.
The 223AI is good for about 200fps better than 223. I am loading 55 Sierra BK's to 3450 from a 24" barrel. They are too hot to shoot in the summer.
That being said, if you want 22 caliber, stay 223. Otherwise the 6DTI is unbelievable accurate and you can shoot the 58-60 grain bullets around the 3450 from a 22" barrel.
The wssm feed well in the DTech uppers. If you go wssm, I would go 243 rather than 223 though, look at the ballistics.
The 223AI is good for about 200fps better than 223. I am loading 55 Sierra BK's to 3450 from a 24" barrel. They are too hot to shoot in the summer.
That being said, if you want 22 caliber, stay 223. Otherwise the 6DTI is unbelievable accurate and you can shoot the 58-60 grain bullets around the 3450 from a 22" barrel.
The wssm feed well in the DTech uppers. If you go wssm, I would go 243 rather than 223 though, look at the ballistics.
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John Leslie
New member
Hey, jrnm,
I called coyotes on the Kiowa/Rita Blanca National Grasslands probably 15 years ago, and there was a really good gun store there in Clayton. Hope it's still in business for you local guys.
John
I called coyotes on the Kiowa/Rita Blanca National Grasslands probably 15 years ago, and there was a really good gun store there in Clayton. Hope it's still in business for you local guys.
John
Tim Neitzke
New member
22-204 would be my pick for non-standard chambering.
Originally Posted By: John LeslieHey, jrnm,
I called coyotes on the Kiowa/Rita Blanca National Grasslands probably 15 years ago, and there was a really good gun store there in Clayton. Hope it's still in business for you local guys.
John
It is still here. The owner's wife passed away a couple years ago and he keeps saying he is selling out, but he won't sign a contract when he gets people to say yes. I think he knows he has nothing else to do except sit at home if he sells. He has macular degeneration plus very bad heart. One of his son in laws helps him out. Still a heck of a good gun store though.
I called coyotes on the Kiowa/Rita Blanca National Grasslands probably 15 years ago, and there was a really good gun store there in Clayton. Hope it's still in business for you local guys.
John
It is still here. The owner's wife passed away a couple years ago and he keeps saying he is selling out, but he won't sign a contract when he gets people to say yes. I think he knows he has nothing else to do except sit at home if he sells. He has macular degeneration plus very bad heart. One of his son in laws helps him out. Still a heck of a good gun store though.
Skinney just picked up a 223 WSSM Oly on a trade. Forget high 3000's...you're looking closer to low 4000's on the velocity line. I've got my .243WSSM fine tuned and will be helping him get his ready to smoke some pills this summer.
Brass is NOT hard to find if you know where to look, I personally have my eyes on a location that has over 15000 pieces in stock ready to ship.
Made by Win to Fed specs with Fed head stamps. It's "the good kind"...if there is such a thing.
Brass is NOT hard to find if you know where to look, I personally have my eyes on a location that has over 15000 pieces in stock ready to ship.
Made by Win to Fed specs with Fed head stamps. It's "the good kind"...if there is such a thing.
Rhinorider
New member
Thanks for all of the replies everyone. Decisions decisions so many to choose from. The 223AI with the easy to find brass, 223WSSM blistering speed, both the DTIs, and the 243 WSSM high BC and speed. Geeze what's a guy to do. Wish I could afford to build one of each.