Barrel length ?

[RUGER]

Thinking about getting a bolt action .223 that is in the classified forum.

Would there be any noticeble differenct in accuracy between a 24" barrel and say a 26 or 28"?

I don't want to punch single holes in paper but I want to be able to hit where I aim out to say 300 yards on a coyote.

 

[infoman jr.]

24'd be just fine. I can ring steel all day long with my 16" AR at 300. I don't think I've ever seen a .223 barrel longer than 24".

 

[RUGER]

Thank you sir.

 

[rdl65]

I would look at twist rate before barrel length. A faster twist will allow you to shoot heavier bullets if you want to.

 

[fastbs]

Put together a savage with 20" mcgowen 1:7 twist barrel. Mostly run hornady 75 grain amax bullets at 2690 fps, this seems to be the accuracy sweet spot. 300yds is easy. Ran some factory 45 gr hornady vmax through it at 200yds with great results too.
A 20" with 1:9-1:8 twist would make a great hunting rig. A 24" will get you a little more speed but I doubt you would see much difference at 300yd. Barrel any longer than 24" is just too inconvenient.
Like mentioned earlier common twist rate on factory 223s seems to be 1:12 a lot of the time and only good for lighter varmint rounds. May still make it to 300 but I have no experience with the combo.