I’ve been wanting an accurate long range 223 bolt gun for a while now. I have a CZ 527 in 223 but its a 12" twist which limits the bullets.
So Black Friday bit me. ARC Nucleus action, MDT XRS stock, TriggerTech Special 2 stage are inbound. I have a Vortex Razor LHT FFP 4.5x22 on hand.
The Nucleus uses the Savage small shank threads which makes it easy for me to spin the barrel on myself. The question is whose barrel do I go with and what length and contour?
Bartlein, Criterion, Krieger, McGowan, and Shaw all have options but it’ll have to be a custom order. Lead times and prices vary, but I’m thinking quicker is better. Any of these makers to avoid?
Thinking 223 Wylde chamber, 24"-26" length, and a taper or Palma profile ending close to .800" at the muzzle. Have a 1000 Nosler 77 HPBT to play with in the stash. Mostly a range toy.
I know I should have saved a chunk of change by following pappabear’s lead with the Tikka T3x, but have a Tikka TacA1 that reaches past a 1000. Wanted something “different”.
I’m partial to the Krieger barrels. Not that I’ve had a ton of experience with the others. I’d go at least 24". Longer if you can stand it. And a suppressor is the icing on the cake with a 223 bolt gun.
I don’t know the names of their profiles. But the Tikka’s profile is pretty sweet. A hog, but not too heavy where it’s unusual.
This is somewhat beyond my experience and you have very specific requirements. The first thought that popped into my mind would be to check to see if Bergarra makes something that fits your needs. Mark offered the goto alternative.
Depending on your tools & skills. I have a buddy that shoots/builds his own rifles & has used these guys for a few builds and he is very happy with the results. Maybe worth a check. I did not snoop around or look at the stock on hand but worth a look I think. https://northlandshooterssupply.com/ And for commercial BBLs with a wait you can’t go wrong with Krieger that’s for sure. You can send them your action and they will install & do all that you need,only takes time & $$$.
My experience with two Krieger barrels has been excellent. A friend put a Bartlein on his build and it’s a shooter. All of them shoot under 1/2 MOA at 100 yards.
Believe me. If Bergara had the answer, PB would have bought it.
The sweet feature (in all of this) is the Rem 700 will take the Magpul mag that loads and feeds long (2.47" or more) 80 gr ammo. The long barrel 223 for us, nets the biggest velocity gains with 69 gr bullets. But shooting the heavies are attractive with a long barrel too.
Bartlein or Krieger dominate all my custom guns. I don’t think you need the super heavy barrel that I do prefer for my big caliber guns. I think the Rem700 and or Tikka 223
“Varmint” barrel. I think the term varmint is a generic term for anything other than a regular hunting or sporting barrel but not 100% on that.
I’ve had good luck buying barrels from Southern Precision aka Bugholes.
I’ve been looking at Bugholes. Is there any real advantage to using their Bugnut, or is it a cosmetic thing (flats vs slots)? I notice they say they have to machine the threads differently.
What barrel diameter at the muzzle would you end up with? It will be threaded to accommodate my suppressor.
The only “hard” requirements I have are fit the Nucleus action, work with high BC bullets for range, and be threaded.
The action will eventually have a larger caliber barrel, it is easy to swap barrels with just wrenches on this action.
Basically a range toy, so weight isn’t an issue. My CZ527 covers the woods gun role and those ranges.
The 223 Wylde chamber isn’t hard either, standard 223 is an option. Just reads to be accurate and accommodate long loadings.
I’ve been looking here as well. They offer Criterion and Shilen barrels.
I noticed that Shilen offers both 6 groove conventional rifling and their own “4-groove Rachet Rifling”. Is the 4-groove similar in performance to the “5R” rifling? Has your buddy used that?
Trying to avoid ordering the barrel until after the action arrives.
Sorry it took me so long to get back at ya but here is what my buddy said: (The Barrels I am familiar with are 6 groove Button rifling. I had better luck with criterion over shilen. I had a shilen 6.5-284 and a 260 Remington. They shot well but not as good as Criterion 223 and 6br’s. I believe any will shoot well.
The defining factor is in the handloading/load development and shooter practice. Plus a little luck on the quality of the finished barrel:) That would be a good question for James at Northland.) Hope this helps & like he says, give James a call @ NORTHLAND and see what he says.
I just wanted to thank you guys for your advice on this.
I ended up ordering a Shilen 26" Varmint contour stainless select match from NORTHLAND. It was in stock already chambered in 223 REM VLD and threaded. It should be here Wednesday.
The in-stock cinched it. I went on the notification list for a Bartlein 224 Varmint blank. They got “1” in and I was too slow to get it. It would have also required to be chambered and threaded. it appears my choice of 223 limited my choices. Fair amount of 6, 6.5, and 308 were available.
I’ll have a few days off at Christmas and hope to be able to shoot it then. Assuming the XRS stock arrives by then.
