Ar-15----22 250

[fireman]

Question.
I have a Bushmaster in 5.56/223 and have been doing some hand loading.
Got 55 Gr. Boat tails shooting right at 3300 fps. Thinking how do I get more speed out of my rifle without over pressuring anything. Then I thought Couldn't you get 3600 Fps. pr more out of an AR? Even an Ar-10.
Why don't we ever see that combination?
I would be the first kid on the block to get in line.
Is there something about the 22-250 that makes it non compatible?
Thanks

Fireman

 

[Maverick223]

Is there something about the 22-250 that makes it non compatible?

It is just a wee bit too long for the AR-15 action, but you can purchase (or build) an AR-10 in .22-250Rem. Just keep in mind it will cost more, be significantly heavier, larger, and generally not balance as well as the AR-15. BTW, IIRC Armalite built one at one time, though I am certain someone else at least builds uppers for it (again, only for the
AR-10 platform).

 

[TonyAngel]

I've often thought about this myself, in terms of getting a bit more velocity out of an AR. I've thought about going with an Aickley (sp?) Improved chamber. It's supposed to get you a couple hundred feet per second more. Not into the 22-250 range, but closer. From what I've read, all you need to do is fire form the brass. Due to an altering of the shoulder, you're supposed to get a bit more case capacity.

I just haven't run across a barrel to do this with. If I can find a smith with a reamer, I may try it out. I just don't want to ruin a nice barrel if it doesn't work out.

 

[stork]

Tony,
I tried the 223 Improved 20+ yrs ago. I did go with a 35 degree shoulder instead of 40 degree for a little better feeding.

In my opinion it isn't worth the extra 100 fps you MAY get. Fireforming, custom dies for very little improvement in velocity. I shoot both 55's and 69's. Mainly 69s.

Some may have other results but my 26" 223 imp barely chronographs 75 fps faster than my 20" AR. Definitely falls into one of those "I'd never do that again" categories.

If you're looking for bragging rights when shooting with buddies and want to be able to say I shoot a 223 improved, go for it. If you want to load and shoot for improved ballistics, this is a non starter in my experience.

FWIW

 

[Maverick223]

stork, the sad thing is most of the velocity gain was likely due to the added barrel length, not the difference in chambering. In fact a 26in. bbl can increase velocity in a .223Rem. by about double that (about 150fps) when compared to a 20in. bbl (yours may have varied from this due to twist rate or simply bbl quality). IMO the AIs just aren't worth it, especially if you end up having feeding problems (which is entirely possible due to the sharper shoulder).

 

[GunTech]

There are a couple of companies offering AR-15 in 223 WSSM. That should get you the velocity you seek.

I built an AR using 7.62x45 Czech necked down to 223 and really thought I'd come up with something, only to find someone else did it years ago. About halfway between 223 and 22-250

5.7Cz on the left, 223 on right

 

[husker]

wouldn't you risk burning a barrel out rather fast in an AR-Type 22-250 .

 

[Maverick223]

wouldn't you risk burning a barrel out rather fast in an AR-Type 22-250.

Sure, but no faster than any other rifle (barring abuse from rapid fire).

I second the idea of the .223WSSM, while not my favorite cartridge, it has a lot of advantages due to its ability to squeeze into the AR-15 platform. It is said to be faster than the .22-250Rem., so it is obviously hard on barrels as well.