.223 16.5" to 20" barrel

[cruze82]

Ok guys I been looking for a new .223 for varmint shooting (roos, rabbits, foxes and occasional pig) the criteria is it needs to be light, compact for car use and must be able to stabilize a bullet weight from 50grains to 70 grains so a 1-9 twist will be needed

I have been doing some reading about velocity loss with a 16.5 inch barrel from different internet sources this is the best one I have found

http://rifleshooter.com/2014/04/223-rem ... nds-rifle/

from what I can tell average velocity loss is about 350fps from 26" to 16.5" but the max point blank only drops 20m and is still around 250 -300m (depending on bullet weight)
I feel a hand load could be tuned for the rifle to make back some of the velocity loss
so im almost sold on a 16.5 or 20" and after using my new PWS T3 that is very short im loving a short hunting gun format

The guns I have looked at are

Weatherby vanguard carbine 20" has a 1-14" twist
Remington AACSD 16.5" with 1-9" twist
Remington 700 sps tactical 20" not sure of twist rate
Tikka T3 Compact 20" 1-12" twist
Ruger hawkeye compact 16.5" with 1-9" twist

Has anyone got any other ideas on rifle that fit this criteria or any other info about velocity loss that might be a issue in the Australian hunting environment

cheer guys and gals

[bigfellascott]

Something to keep in mind and that is a shorter barrel equals more noise, 16" is gunna be bloody annoying so muffs will definitely be required to shoot that puppy.

[bunnybuster]

If I can throw a couple points in here,as Scott says,short barrel = muzzle blast,also flash of partially burnt powder,personal expreience with a .308 18.5" Rem 600,

loud with an impressive fireball probablely capable of starting a grassfire.My 223 has a skinny barrel which wanders when it heats up [quickly] so I would buy a

med- heavy next time for more heat soak and rigidity.I'm told Howa supplies the barrelled action for Weatherby so you might include one on your list,they

also do a barrelled action so you could buy an aftermarket stock to drop it in [Boyds] cheap as chips many styles to check out.

Be Safe BB.