22-204 vs 222 mag vs 223 A.I.

[CHARLIEDUECE65]

I recently purchased a .224 caliber barrel from Krieger. The barrel was in their in stock inventory, a 9 twist # 3 contour. I'm wondering which chambering would offer the most performance and what the optimum barrel length would be. The rifle is a short action remington 700 with the small bolt face for the 223 cartridge. I'm really interested in the 22-204 and finishing it at 24". Any experience, thoughts, or opinions. I've thought of changing the bolt face also, but want to keep this build cheap. Thanks.

[strombeckj]

Originally Posted by CHARLIEDUECE65

I recently purchased a .224 caliber barrel from Krieger. The barrel was in their in stock inventory, a 9 twist # 3 contour. I'm wondering which chambering would offer the most performance and what the optimum barrel length would be. The rifle is a short action remington 700 with the small bolt face for the 223 cartridge. I'm really interested in the 22-204 and finishing it at 24". Any experience, thoughts, or opinions. I've thought of changing the bolt face also, but want to keep this build cheap. Thanks.

I think I would build a 22x47 so I could push the 70-80gr's with less heat for such a little barrel vs. let's say a 22-250 or 22-250AI. (which would be my 2nd choice) Bolt face can be opened up for very little $$

At least a 24" Would consider a break so I could see the hits. A 22-204 is pretty much the same as a 222mag which is about the same as a .223AI (give or take nothing between the 3) So I would base it on cost of dies & brass. .223 Lake City is great brass and is dirt cheap and with a .223AI you could buy off the shelf ammo in a pinch.

If it's a repeater you may have problems with a .223AI, 22-250AI or 22x47 feeding but in most case it's a small problem to have.

ALSO.... I wouldn't forget to include a 22PPC or a 22BR all of which are very nice rounds and shoot the heavy 22 cals.

[CHARLIEDUECE65]

I've thought of those rounds...was more interested in the 22br. However, I've decided to stay with the I believe .391 bolt face and use a 223 based case. I want to keep this rifle economical. I would like to know more about the 22-204 Ruger. I saw pics of all the cases on another site and it's the biggest (case capacity wise) of them all. It's about the same as the 222 ai with less neck.

[Trickymissfit]

I wouldn't buld a 222mag (what a .224/.204 really is). What I would build would be a .223AI, but with the .222mag neck design. The longer neck will handle longer bullets better. There is very little difference between a .222mag and a generic .223, but with the longer neck you can keep the bullet outside of the body of the case. Tobe exact, there's little to be gained with the Ackley chamber over the standard. I'd find a nice .222mag reamer and ream it so a .223 will headspace correctly on a go gauge. But if you could get a reamer ground to the Ackley spec and .222mag deminsions, you might see a hundred fifty feet per second increase in velocity. You could also build a .224BG by ordering in a new bolt & reamer from Dave Kiff. The case at the shoulder is 1.352 with minimum taper. The neck is about .35 with a 30 degree shoulder. This ought to push an 80 grain bullet out to 2850fps if not 2950fps
gary

[CHARLIEDUECE65]

Ok, with a 9 twist barrel I was planning on staying with 50-65 gr bullets. So with the bullets being pretty short I wouldn't imagine the longer necks doing me much good.

[Trickymissfit]

Originally Posted by CHARLIEDUECE65

Ok, with a 9 twist barrel I was planning on staying with 50-65 gr bullets. So with the bullets being pretty short I wouldn't imagine the longer necks doing me much good.

first of all the 50 grain bullet will be way over stabalized in a 1:9 barrel, thus compounding any error manufactuered in the bullet. I wouldn't go much lower than a 60 grain bullet, or a very long 55 grain bullet. The longer necks have been proven thruout the years to produce tighter groups, but just as importantly also proven to have a much better barrel life. (keeps the vortex of the flame out of the throat). If it were me, I'd build a nice 22BR or a .224BG and be miles ahead of the game
gary

[alf]

For the naysayers and uninformed........

The 22-204 holds about one grain more than the 223 Ackley,

Some cases for comparison.....

221 Fireball --- 222 Rem --- 223 REM --- 223 Ackley --- 222 Rem mag --- 22-204