What barrel for .223 Wylde AR for 40-grain?? (Current rig unusable)

M

MagnusRex

New member
Hey all - LONG story short, I've got a 1:7 18" .223 Wylde PSA upper that I've been shooting 40-grainers out of. I like 40-grain because out to 225 yards POI is under 2..5" from the reticle! It's not a 6.5 but it's plenty flat enough for the type of hunting I do. And I've bought a bunch of it. I put this gun together for coyote only and I've shot it exclusively with a suppressor. After some frustrating and unexplainable misses, I've discovered that the cold-bore shot (which is often the only shot in hunting!) is hitting 10+ MOA low. I'm under no illusions of what to expect out of a PSA barrel on a gas gun, but this setup is pretty much useless like it is now.

In the very short-term I'm going to try to rezero without the suppressor and see if that brings the cold bore shot somewhere close enough that I can hunt for the rest of the season. Long-term, I've read everything I can find and it generally seems that the higher quality the barrel, the less cold-bore shift there should be, so I'm hopeful that a new barrel (probably thicker too) might fix my problem. Before today I barely understood the relationship between barrel twist and bullet weight, but seems like this 1:7 barrel is likely the very worst option for 40-grainers, and may even be part of my ridiculous cold-bore shift.

So - I'd like to get this rifle shooting Minute Of Coyote (2-3 MOA is plenty) without spending a silly amount of money upgrading a PSA. Do you all think a new barrel would be a logical first step? If so, what barrel would work with my nice flat 40-grainers? Seems like the mythical 1:12 twist may be best for 40-gr., but I haven't found any AR barrels in that, never mind 18" .223 Wylde. I know I'm far from the only one shooting 40-grain or thereabouts from an AR - what do you all find works well?

Sorry for the convoluted explanation - this issue has been giving me fits and I'm very grateful for your wisdom and input!
 
I have a 1:7 18" PSA that groups better with 40-55gr bullets than it does with 62-77gr. Who knows why?

I started using the 55gr Norma Tip Strike and it shoots them well enough that I can heart punch a coyote at 200 yards. So that's good enough for me.

That much of a shift is crazy. Let us know what you find out.
 
i have a 1:8 twist wilson combat 20 inch super sniper barrel in 223 wylde. that shoots the 53 grain v-max like a laser, 1/2 groups at 200 yards if i do my part. cold bore shots are dead on too.

they recommend a 1:9 twist for 40 grain bullets (not much help, sorry about that)

Twist Rate Information​


  • .223 Remington/5.56mm NATO

    1-7: Match or hunting bullets in the 68gr – 80gr range

    1-8: Match or hunting bullets in the 50gr – 77gr range (best all around choice)

    1-9: Match or hunting bullets in the 45gr – 69gr range
 
Man, that's the worst cold bore shot I've ever heard of.

The first place I'd look would probably be a powder change.

Otherwise, for a barrel recommendation, last year I built a new upper with an X-Caliber barrel in a 12" twist with a 223 Rem chamber, not Wylde, as I wanted to shoot 52/53 grain bullets only for night time coyotes. The Rem chamber has a shorter .025" freebore, so you get the bullets close to the lands & still fit in the mags. Mine's an honest half MOA shooter, & am more than pleased with this barrel.
 
I've had barrels very occasionally throw the first shot 2 or 3 inches, but never 10+. I would think you could pick up anything from a bargain bin ar stoner on up to top of the line and be better than that. For 40's if you're custom ordering a 12 twist would be plenty but off the rack you're going to be lucky to find a 9 and 8 is more likely.
 
Sounds like you’ve got a new tomato stake for the spring.
For 40’s 1:12 or possibly 1:14, but either will likely be a custom order.
Criterion may have something. Like the others have said 1:8 or 1:9 will likely be what you will find available.
I have a Ballistic Advantage 1:9 223 Wilde upper and it’s excellent with factory 55gr Vmax ammo. I haven’t tried anything lighter than that since it shoots so well. My tikka has a 1:8 and also is excellent with the 55.
Either way I’d def be getting a new barrel.
 
If it were me, I would find out what is wrong with the rifle. Its way easier to shop online than trouble shoot though. You just don't learn much from doing that.

Bad scope
Loose scope mounts
Loose barrel nut
Gas block touching rail or Mlok
BCG binding on gas tube
Loose gas block
Completely fouled barrel

Go down the check list, then do an ammo comparison with a few different types
 
Fantastic ideas all around, all - many thanks! I am pleasantly surprised to hear that others are having good luck with light bullets in commonly available calibers; I can have a barrel built in 1:12, etc. but that would run me more than the rifle cost; I'm not opposed to that if it will give me what I need but after all this good advice I'm going to try some different ammo - I think I was so happy with how flat the 40s are that I didn't even consider that. I'd gladly give up some flatness to get a reasonable cold bore shot!!

I'll also check that list, Arlaunch - I'm embarrassed to admit that my AR anatomy isn't great but looks like it's time to learn. I read about one guy who had a situation where something like the gas block or gas tube would heat up after the first shot and then begin pressing on the barrel, which changed the harmonics, which would absolutely create a situation like mine. He ended up bending the gas tube or something like that and the issue went away - I need to find that post again!!

Again, I really appreciate all the help, all!
 
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