.223 twist-rate?

Dalua

Well-Known Member
I am thinking of getting a heavy-barrelled .223, mainly for short-range F/TR, and for use as a vehicle-based fox-lamping rig.

Would there be any disagvantage in ordering one with a 1:8 twist if I intend to use it mainly with 52gr bullets? It occurred to me that they might be spun too fast and disintegrate, or some thing like that.

You might well wonder why I'd want a 1:8 if I'm intending to use light bullets. The answer is that I might want to use heavier ones in future, so if there's no disadvantage 1:8 is a more sensible and versatile choice.

Any thoughts welcome!
 
my 1-8 shoots everything from 40g to 75g , the 40g's don't group the best (still under an inch) but would be fine for fox work 50g-75g groups the best.
 
There is very little disadvanages IMO.

I have had several 8 twist 223's that would group under 0.6 MOA with 40 grn Bullets. However the main fodder was 55 - 60 grn bullets and occasionally 75 grn Amax for longer range work.

You may lose a few fps over a slower twist - but nothing major. :cool:




ATB
Alan
 
Scholarly articles on the topic explain that twist rate actually stabilises length, not weight... In any course of events extra length does, of course mean, extra weight. However, the relevance of the distinction becomes evident if we go to non-conventional bullets... That is to say; copper, mono-metal, projectiles are significantly longer, for any given weight, than conventional "cup'n'core", lead filled, jacketed, type bullest...

And my point is... if you are going to have a rifle built you may as well go fast twist because, in the event of an outlawing of lead, you'll then be future proofed and able to stabilise those longer copper bullets, which may only be the same weight as the conventional ones you wish to use now... Make sense?
 
My Tikka T3 tac has a 1 in 8 twist and shoots 55 gr SP to 75 gr A-max's all sub half inch which is as much as I can manage.

I don't see myself needing another twist rate but definitely a new barrel soon it's amazing how much ammo you can put through a .223 in 9 years. I'm just waiting for it to start throwing fliers but hopefully she'll go a bit longer!
 
I've just brought a Remmy 700 SPS Tactical which had a 20" heavy barrel with a 1 in 9 twist. Can't wait to get it out and see what it does. It will mainly eat 55grn VMax for foxes and heavier for the odd play at long range paper punching.
 
[h=2]this is a bit handy if you like that sort of thing

bob.


General TC Twist Rates by Chamber... Scroll Down for Special Pistol Barrel Twist Rates.[/h]
17 REM 1:10
17 MACH IV 1:10
17 ACKLEY BEE 1:10
17 K-HORNET 1:10
204 RUGER 1:12
22 LR 1:15
22 HORNET 1:12
22 K-HORNET 1:12
218 BEE 1:12
221 REM FIREBALL 1:12
222 REM 1:12
222 REM MAG 1:12
223 REM 1:12
223 ACKLEY IMPROVED 1:12
22 PPC 1:12
22 BENCHREST 1:12
22-250 REM 1:12
22/250 ACKLEY IMPROVED 1:12
225 WIN 1:12
220 SWIFT 1:12
6MM REM 1:10
6MM BR REM 1:10
6MM TCU 1:10
6MM PPC 1:10
243 WIN 1:10
6MM-061:10
250 SAVAGE 1:10
250/3000 ACKLEY IMPROVED 1:10
256 WIN MAG 1:10
25-20 WIN 1:10
25-35 WIN 1:10
257 ROBERTS 1:10
257 ROBERTS ACKLEY IMPR 1:10
25-06 REM 1:10
25/06 ACKLEY IMPROVED 1:10
6.5MM TCU 1:08
6.5 BENCHREST 1:08
6.5X54 MANNLICHER1:08
260 REM 1:08
6.5X551:08
6.5X2841:08
6.5 REM MAG 1:08
264 WIN MAG 1:08
6.8MM REM SPC 1:10
270 WIN 1:10
280 REM (7MM EXP REM) 1:09
280 REM ACKLEY IMPROVED 1:09
284 WIN 1:09
7MM TCU 1:09
7-30 WATERS 1:09
7MM BR REM 1:09
7MM-08 REM 1:09
7MM (7X57) 1:09
7MM REM MAG 1:09
7MM INT 1:09
30 CARB (M1) 1:10
30 HERRETT 1:10
30-30 WIN 1:10
300 WHISPER 1:10
7.62X391:10
300 SAVAGE 1:10
30/40 KRAG 1:10
307 WIN 1:10
308 WIN 1:10
308 ACKLEY IMPROVED 1:10
30-06 SPRG 1:10
30/06 ACKLEY IMPROVED 1:10
300 H&H MAG 1:10
300 WIN MAG 1:10
32 H&R MAG 1:10
32-20 WIN 1:10
32 S&W 1:10
358 WIN 1:14
338 FEDERAL 1:10
338-06 1:10
338 WIN MAG 1:10
38 SPECIAL MATCH 1:14
357 MAG 1:14
357 REM MAX 1:14
357-44 B&D 1:14
357 SIG 1:14
357 HERRETT 1:14
35 REM 1:14
35 WHELEN 1:14
350 REM MAG 1:14
375 WIN 1:12
38-55 WIN 1:12
375 JDJ 1:12
375 H&H MAG 1:12
405 WIN 1:14
41 REM MAG 1:20
416 RIGBY 1:14
44 REM MAG 1:20
445 SUPER MAG 1:20
444 MARLIN 1:20
45 AUTO LH 1:16
454 CASULL 1:16
460 S&W 1:16
450 MARLIN 1:20
45-70 GOVT 1:20
480 RUGER 1:18
50 AE 1:20
500 S&W 1:20
209X451:28
209X501:28
209X50 Custom Shop1:48
12 GAUGE 209X12GA SB
12 GAUGE 3" (RIFLED) 1:28
20 GAUGE 3" SB
20 GAUGE 3" (RIFLED) 1:24
28 GAUGE 2 3/4" SB

[h=2]TC Pistol Barrel Twist Rates[/h]
414 SUPER MAG 1:20
40-44 WIN 1:20
45 COLT LH 1:16
45 COLT-410 LH 1:16
450 MARLIN 1:14
45-70 GOVT
 
My 1:8 Tikka did not like anything under 60gr. All the 55gr ammo I reloaded did not group well at all. And I seem to remember a thread on here where others had the same issue. Going for a fast twist does not future proof the use of all bullet weights, if it did then manufacturers would only supply one twist.

I think a 1:9 is regarded as having the most useable range. 55gr to 69gr easily maybe others with trial.
 
I was in a gunshop looking at high twist rate .223's and the sales rep for Edgar Bros (I think) was in there at the same time, he said that CZ are moving to 1in8 twist barrels as their standard for .223 rifles. Apparently (like most things with shooting) it's something being driven by the Yanks.
 
If you want one to cover all then yes, get the 1:8 twist but ultimately it'll depends what your barrel likes. My 1:9 only likes 69gr SMK's but shoots them extremely well. I have a 1:12 too which loves 50 gr v-Max's so I just take the rifle I want to use. 1:8 gives you a very versatile option and should let you shoot the 75 grainers which are marginal for the 1:9 (and 62 gr tracer which can get unstable with 1:9 due to the length).
 
My Tikka 1:8 was very happy with the 69gr Sierras. It did stabilise the 80gr as that twist should although what you can in BC you lose with reduced FPS, so no real balistic advantage over the 69gr. The .223REM case doesn't have the boiler room to best propel the 80gr heads.
 
My steyr tac elite .223 has something in between a 1:8 and 1:9, I found it to only shoot ammunition from 65 to 75 grain really well. Anything lighter t really doesn't like. 70 and 75 grain hornaday ammunition has produced the best results for me with 5 shot groupings of under 0.5 inch at 100 yards
 
All interesting stuff. I'm beginning to think that a 20" heavy barrel 1:12 might be the way forward.

What powder would we use in that with 52gr bullets, say; and what velocities might we expect?
 
All interesting stuff. I'm beginning to think that a 20" heavy barrel 1:12 might be the way forward.

What powder would we use in that with 52gr bullets, say; and what velocities might we expect?



1:12 + 52g speer HP + 26g Varget = 3000fps one hole groups
 
I can see the benefit of a 1:8 .243 to chuck 105gr over the 100gr and under fodder usually allowed in a 1:10

I can't see the benfit of changing twist to accommodate lighter bullets.
My .222 (1:14) is fed 60gr exclusively now since I found a supply of 60gr Vmax. 60gr Soft Points for roe, 60gr Vmax for all ginger menace
all being pushed around 3000fps

there is no advantage of 40's over 60's in anything as far as I can see
marginal if even noticeable
downrange energy, wind drift however are all down considerably at POI when you drop 20-30% of the mass
 
My Sako 85 .223 Varmint has a 20 inch barrel 1:12. It ragged holes at 100 yards with either 40g Norma or 55gr Winchester Silver factory rounds. I never felt the need for a fast twist. I haven't tried anything heavier.

regards


Ian
 
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