barrel length for suppressor

[Lnmi]

I have a 26 inch heavy savage 223 barrel that I am going to get cut and threaded for a suppressor. I use this gun for coyotes out to 400 yards. I'm thinking 20 inches should be ok to cut it too. Does this sound alright? Thanks

[D.ID]

That's about as perfect as can be for a 223+can.

[Rooster 50]

Seems like you are giving up a ton of speed to accomodate that can.

[darkker]

REALLY depends upon the bullets used, twist rate, and Baffle design.
If you go with a "quiet" can that has tight baffles, and LONG bullets, such as the 75gr Amax; using a slower twist(9) can have a much higher potential for a baffle strike.
Baffle strike==crying profusely.

[Steelhead]

18 to 20 inches gives pretty good ballistics in 223.

[Lnmi]

I shoot 55 grain vmax. I will be using a liberty freedom on it.

[daddyusmaximus]

I think 20" is about what the .223 is designed around.

[Rooster 50]

I think 20" is about what the .223 is designed around.


You think that the 223 cartridge was "designed" around a 20in barrel. I am always willing to learn. Perhaps you can explain that.

edited to add..........i am not being smart with you I assume that you are referring to the military use of the 223. The problem with that is the OP said he was using it out to 400 yards
the loss of speed from 26 to 20 in could easily amount to 120 to 180fps. I don't care which bullet you are using that is a lot of speed and energy lost on a load that didn't start out that fast
to begin with.

[daddyusmaximus]

Just passing on what I've read in the past 30 years. The military uses the 5.56 out to 400 meters easy. (with open sights) A coyote is a good size match for what the cartridge can do at that range... with a 20" barrel. No, I don't have a link for my source, just passing on what I've learned. That's why I typed "I think" not "I can prove". I had read that info, and from multiple sources, but I never took the time to copy them down. Unless you are shooting a magnum, no need to go to a 26" tube. I guess we could look up a ballistic chart. I did that when researching barrel length for my .44 mag lever gun. Started with a 24" rifle, ended with an 18" carbine. Had I gone longer, I would have lost speed. I've read from a lot of reloaders that you would have to roll your own to get anything out of the extra length. From what I've read, that's a small round for so long of barrel. Without handloading, you'll likely loose speed going with a 26" tube. JMHO, if the OP wanted to take off some for the added suppressor, he ain't gonna hurt his gun, unless he goes into SBR lengths. I have a SBR AR in 5.56 and can easily hit out at 300/400 yds. I would never do that hunting as when you go that short, you do loose too much FPS. A 20" tube is about perfect for the .223 in most cases. Again, I'n not a reloader, just passing on what I've read in the past. Not claiming to know all, but I'd never go over 20" in a .223...:)

[Lnmi]

The suppressor is 10 inches long so I want to chop it down so it's not so cumbersome. I was thinking 20 along with the 10 on suppressor would still be fairly long but didn't want to go any shorter. I can shoot 400 yrs now but I guess if I have to back it off abit I will do that.

[daddyusmaximus]

Here's from one ballistics test I found showing MV and barrel length. Notice it slows down from 25" to 26". Shouldn't be hard to find this info, and you should be good to go at 20".

Cartridge specific data:


Effects of barrel length on Remington UMC 223 55 grain FMJ



Barrel length in inches

UMC 223/55

SD

Change ft/sec velocity

Change ft/sec velocity from 26″



26

3182

28





25

3221

30

39

39



24

3211

16

-10

29



23

3132

28

-79

-50



22

3111

24

-21

-71



21

3090

20

-21

-92



20

3071

35

-19

-111



19

3028

30

-43

-154



18

3006

31

-22

-176



17

2922

38

-84

-260



16.5

2968

33

46

-214

[Lnmi]

Thanks, 20 inches it is.

[Rooster 50]

My thought was it probably won't have much energy left at 400 yards to kill anything bigger than a prarie dog. I shot a modified 223 in competition a few years ago it would push a 52gr bullet right at 3000fps at the muzzle. At 400 meters i had to hit the coyote silhouette in the top 2 in to knock it over and even then it would rock back and then fall forward.

It was however wicked accurate at that range and it was a Remington XP100 rebarreled with a 21in Shillen barrel. The load was right at 19gr of 4895 with a 52gr berger.

[Lnmi]

My longest shot has been 400 on ice but I can reevaluate this once I get my barrel cut. I like to get them as close as I can anyways, if I have to hold out til they are at 300 so be it.

[D.ID]

400 yard terminal performance can be dramatically improved threw proper bullet selection.
I have shot coyotes out to 700 using 62 grain Hp cheap bulk ammo from a 18" 223 and the results were very effective. Not super explosive but still very very dead dog.
Coyotes are the ultimate survivors, tough and resilient..................but they are still thin skinned, small skeletal frame mammals that are easily dispatched with a very small, well placed supersonic projectile......or even subsonic as long as you can put it "in there" were it needs to go.

[Rooster 50]

hard to argue that

[scpaul]

I realize that this is splitting hairs, but with different Powder, bullet, and/ or barrel who knows. I've seen some remarkable velocity increases with slower powders in longer 7mm & .308 barrels. I'm thinking that the smaller (.22) bore might really increase velocity. I think I'd do some more research before I cut the barrel that much. JMO Paul

[darkker]

It's about progressive powders, not simply slower.

[RatMag]

Anywhere from 18" to 20", you will be fine. And I will say without a doubt, it is a much more fun to shoot and wag around and maneuver rifle. ESPECIALLY with a can!!

DK