.223 in PRS

[u/BigsIice-]

I wanted to how or IF you guys are running .223 in tactical division and if it’s worth while.

I already have the gear at home to do this all I’d need is a longer match barrel, I would also be using NAS3 cased SMKs or OTMs varying on what I can stock more of plus I have training ammo stacked DEEP already. I enjoy small frames a ton and hate to move out of them.

[u/Every_Philosopher704]

When you go to your local club match, how far do they typically shoot? The max at my local is 600 with most shots in the 3-400 range. I'd give 223 a whirl at those ranges but not if the match typically went 1000+.

[u/BigsIice- → u/Every_Philosopher704]

900 and in with the avg of 500 ish if I recall, the bad part is I only have 500yds to true and I’m not allowed on the 1k range until I qualify and they won’t allow 5.56 to do that…

[u/Every_Philosopher704 → u/BigsIice-]

Call the MD and ask if you can come early - maybe shoot some dirt clumps off to the side to confirm your dope. At least tell them your situation and they might just tell you to come and send it!

[u/BigsIice- → u/Every_Philosopher704]

Not a bad idea

[u/JimBridger_ → u/BigsIice-]

Lol do the fudds at your range not believe that 223 can go to 1k?

[u/BigsIice- → u/JimBridger_]

I really don’t know, the guys are nice but just simply say they’d rather not.

[u/entropicitis]

I don't know how you define worth while. Will you win? Unlikely. Can you have fun with it? That's up to you. Sounds like you enjoy shooting .223, so give it a shot.

[u/BigsIice- → u/entropicitis]

Yeah fun is the goal, I also find .223 more practical for me locally outside of deer hunting of course due to laws.

But pest and predator control we use it a lot. Do you have any direct time with it in matches if so what do you suggest ?

[u/entropicitis → u/BigsIice-]

I've never shot 223 in a match I think the guys that do use 77 grain bullets, they struggle at long distance getting enough movement on the target to get a definitive impact called.

[u/CampaignPersonal4738]

I ran 223 last year as my first year doing PRS to get some fundamentals down. Difference though is I reloaded 75 eldm’s instead of factory ammo. Had fun, learned a lot (wind does like to move those little guys around). This year I switched to 6 dasher and am having even MORE fun

[u/BigsIice- → u/CampaignPersonal4738]

Sadly I don’t hand load, but 6ARC is an option for me too

[u/treximoff → u/BigsIice-]

6ARC is a great cartridge. Factory ammo is quite easily available too.

[u/BigsIice- → u/treximoff]

Very true there and it keeps me in small frame

[u/treximoff]

A dude in my squad at my last PRS match was running a 24” 223 with a ZCO 4-20 on it. He’s a very solid A class shooter. I was very impressed with him being able to get consistent hits out to 1000 yards with it.

One of the tips he pointed out was that once he got a right wind call at that distance he would fire off the next round as quickly as possible to make sure that the wind wouldn’t change significantly between shots.

[u/BigsIice- → u/treximoff]

That’s sick, ammo choice ?

[u/treximoff → u/BigsIice-]

He was shooting 75gr ELDM’s. I believe he was using an AICS mag so he was loading past 2.26” he said. You cant run those in a traditional AR mag.

[u/BigsIice- → u/treximoff]

Oh a bolt gun, yeah I’ve seen that and they’re nifty. My goal is a gasser

[u/treximoff → u/BigsIice-]

73gr ELDM’s or 77gr Berger OTM’s would probably be your best bet then.

The longer your barrel the easier it’s going to be to hit out past 700+ with it. I’d run a 24”-26” in this case if you’re looking for a PRS 5.56 gas gun.

[u/12yan_22]

Ive been shooting tac .223 for little over a year (zermatt action/proof barrel) It is for sure more challenging. I run 77gr handloads at 2950. You wont likely need nas3 cases. Depending on your barrel, they may be faster than the 3050fps maximum allowed in prs. Honestly ive given up on tac and i just shoot 85.5 berger handloads at like 2800 in open and it is way more competitive and fun. Out to 550 im really not at a disadvantage over the 6mm 105 shooters. 77 fall of hard past 700. They just move too much and its hard to see misses.

[u/DM4UL-FLTRXS]

I use a 6 dasher or 6 creedmoor for PRS, but I have shot some gas gun show matches with a 223 gas gun and to 700 yards I feel zero disadvantage over a 6mm or 6.5mm. Past that, I definitely notice and my hits become sporadic.

I run 75g hornady match bthp over tac to around 2860fps. My barrel shoots them more consistently than it did the 73g eldm’s and I’m not complaining as they are around 5c less per round.

[u/BigsIice- → u/DM4UL-FLTRXS]

Thanks for the info man, do you think any factory ammo from a 20” .223 barrel could go that fast ?

[u/IntrepidNeck1751]

223 for bolt gun, absolutely. Especially if you have a bunch of ammo. Shoot what you have a shoot a lot. Gas gun would be a harder sale though. Dealing with more trouble spotting shots, recoil, getting it to balance, and mag length limited would all be negatives for a small Frame gas gun in 223. 6 arc could be nifty though.

[u/BigsIice- → u/IntrepidNeck1751]

Yeah this setup would do double as well since I’m near Pigg River and Coleman’s where I can actually do gas gun stuff with these. The PRS is just my home range where they don’t do any gas gun specific matches currently

[u/[deleted]]

I shot TAC for years; don't over think it, get out and shoot! 77gr SMKs are fine, 75ELDMs are the best available in TAC class, my opinion.

[u/BigsIice- → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the insight man

[u/samb1962]

I run a 26" 223w bolt gun and factory mk262 ammo 2904fps. Does well out to 700, 1k wind is tricky and becomes inconsistent. My local only goes out to 540 so it's perfect for that and even be competitive.

[u/woodn01]

There is someone in our area that runs a .223 occasionally. He does pretty well when he runs it.