MAB .223 stainless barrel query

[timothi3197]

Good evening all, following my enjoyment of F standard I am going to .223, I have been offered a good price (under $1000 finished) for a omark action with MAB adaptor, new stainless barrel and bolt head. As my son will start TR next year I will only be using a standard stock and cutting it to suit him.
Any thoughts on the 24 1/2" MAB stainless barrel in 1:8 twist? It willl be chambered to suit the new 80grain projectile.

Any advice or comments appreciated,

Kind regards,

Tim

[Woody_rod]

Tim,

Nothing wrong with the MAB barrel, just might be a bit short for the long ranges if you shoot them. 28 or 30 inch would be better to make sure your bullets are supersonic at 1000y. If you dont shoot long ranges like that, it probably wont matter much, as long as you can get enough velocity from the short barrel to properly stabilise the 80 gr bullet (they need to start out at about 3000fps) - I dont really know otherwise.

If you are having the barrel chambered, does this mean the barrel is new, or it is going to be fitted? If so, maybe think about buying the setup, fitting a longer barrel and selling the shorter one for a sporter or something.

If it is a matter of cost, the additional cost of a longer barrel is relatively low compared to the other costs of the rifle.

[timothi3197]

Thanks Rod, a gunsmith down here had the parts lying about from a project that never got off the ground. When he heard I was going to .223 offered it all at less than cost just to get rid of them, it is a limited market for TR and F class in TAS(I was just going to get a MAB barrel kit). I will double check the barrel length. It has already been chambered in .223 but never fitted.

(If it were an ideal world I would get one of your actions and go from there but I have a limited budget, one can dream)

[littlebang556]

Woody is right about the limited use a short barrel would have when it comes to long ranges....

If you get between 3000fps and 3100fps from a 30" barrel and lose 30 to 50 fps per inch you may end up losing around 150 to 250 fps.
Yo may be able to load closer to the lands (less jump) or play around with differnet primers to increase velocities but do it with CAUTION.
To obtain the above velocities one must load close to maximum suggested safe limits and one MUST work up a load for said rifle with much caution by beginning at a much lower charge.

I am not saying that your rifle will not make long range but am suggesting that you may be limmited to 600y/m....many a AR15 has been barreled with shoter barrels and shot well out to those distances and beyond....

Personally, I would save my dollars and fit a longer one IF ranges shot exceed 600.

Otherwise, I think the gunsmith might be glad to be rid of the "cheap" parts...

Regards

Rob A

[timothi3197]

Thanks all, it is 27 1/2" after the chamber so should be ok. I will go for it I reckon, it has been machined and fitted up but never been fired. Also has all the gear for TR so it will be used for both at different times(still like to test my elbows occaisonally).

Kind regards,

Tim

[bennf]

Hi Tim
I have a 556 omark and I won a queens with it so there is nothing wrong wit them

28 inch should do the job but I always struggled with 900 and 1000 on windy days.

As for the stock.
Consider spending some money on your stock.
Especially if your son is starting into the TR scene. An ill fitting stock it the number 1 cause of bad form.
I shot with a poor stock for 3 years and couldnt hit the broad side of pauline hanson. The day I got p on the mound with my adjustable stock and set it up for me I shot a personal best.

Anyhow have fun.

Benn

[timothi3197]

Thanks Benn,

I noticed the same with my .308 stock, until I cut and inch and a half off the butt, cut away the comb and got the sander to the grip so I could touch the trigger without straining(it was custom made for a very big man) I used to struggle to get over 40, as soon as I modified it(took two shoots) consistantly 45 plus. I still didn't enjoy TR overly though. I don't think stock fit is as critical with F standard for me but I will cut a standard Omark stock for him when he starts(one of the guys here makes stocks and is pretty good), if he starts off in TR he will at least get the basics down pat. If I can afford it I will look at an adjustable stock so anyone can rock up and use it, will also get QR scope mounts so it is more versatile.

Our club doesn't shoot past 600 and there are only a couple at 900/1000 each year down here and I will keep the .308 for them.

Kind regards,

Tim

[littlebang556]

Thanks all, it is 27 1/2" after the chamber so should be ok. I will go for it I reckon, it has been machined and fitted up but never been fired. Also has all the gear for TR so it will be used for both at different times(still like to test my elbows occaisonally).

Kind regards,

Tim

The length you say is as good as any other and sounds like you have yourself a good buy.....you will find it hard to put it down once you get a load happening for it.

Cheers

Rob A