.223 vs 5.56 twist rates

[lovelyloopystuff]

I'm thinking of getting a .223 for a foxing/CWD/Muntjac and been reading up about twist rates. The current opinion seems to be a longer bullet needs a higher twist rate (1:8) to stabilize reliably, some .223 are available in this rather than 1:12 but do I miss out on anything if I buy a 5.56 which all seem to be 1:8? Has anyone gone this route and what's your experience?
Thanks

 

[User00056]

Can't speak for twist rates, but if you have a 5.56 you can also use .223 ammunition (but not vice versa)

 

[lovelyloopystuff]

Can't speak for twist rates, but if you have a 5.56 you can also use .223 ammunition (but not vice versa)

Yes, I'm planning on buying .223 ammo as I'll be wanting expanding/ varmint ammo rather than stuff designed to meet the Hauge declaration!

 

[plumber01]

I have a 223 with a 1:10 , I wanted to use it at longer distances and some target work, so a 1:10 will stabalise 69gn bullets. My friend has a 1-7.5and he shoots 90gn target bullets on the range, and can embarrasses the odd 308 target shooter.
I felt a 1:10 about right, 55gn Vmax are deadly on fox . And I can still use heavier for longer range ( out to about 600 if not windy, although that is pushing it)
55gn really can make a mess on impact if you load them for speed. Not sure I would take a small deer with such a small bullet.
Good luck.

 

[lovelyloopystuff]

I have a 223 with a 1:10 , I wanted to use it at longer distances and some target work, so a 1:10 will stabalise 69gn bullets. My friend has a 1-7.5and he shoots 90gn target bullets on the range, and can embarrasses the odd 308 target shooter.
I felt a 1:10 about right, 55gn Vmax are deadly on fox . And I can still use heavier for longer range ( out to about 600 if not windy, although that is pushing it)
55gn really can make a mess on impact if you load them for speed. Not sure I would take a small deer with such a small bullet.
Good luck.

Do you mind telling me what rifles you got in 1:10 and your friend in 1:7.5? I've only seen 1:12 and 1:8

thanks

 

[Bowland blades]

A run 50 grain ECX copper with a 1-12 and it shoots them well , struggle a bit with tTSX which at the same weight longer (works but it aint as good ) . Ranges on the smaller species of deer need to come in some i feel with copper . That said tTSX at 100 grain and 120 grain are both very good indeed in my 1-7.5 twist 260 built for copper use out to a real good max range even on biggest stags .
Will be re-barreling the 223 in 1-8 or faster when funds allow . Currently going back to lead with it using 60 grain Nosler Partition had a couple of well placed shots go bad on me ( and i know that copper kills good and can shoot well )

 

[tackb]

personally i have had the most success with a 1-8'' twist , i found it very versatile being acceptable to excellent with bullets from 40gr to 77gr

 

[Bowland blades]

personally i have had the most success with a 1-8'' twist , i found it very versatile being acceptable to excellent with bullets from 40gr to 77gr

good to hear 1-7.5 will not effect things negatively over 1-8 and it gives just a tad faster spin that will handle slightly longer bullets better , with a close eye on the fact that we are unlikely to stay lead legal and copper does need more spin . My 260 is 1-7.5 and does not blow up or give poor accuracy with jacketed lead 100 grain varmint bullets .
I doubt i will need anything under 50 grains as i have a 22 Hornet that of course does 45 grain down to 30 ( though its proved rubbish with copper with is 1-16 twist ) It owes me very little for the work its done and RWS have two factory 22 Hornet loads ( though i haven't tested them ) I could always re-barrel if i know what's happening 17 might become an option even

 

[NP435]

Twist rate is................................... either platform specific or in the case of .223 vs 5.56 perceived intended use, once again by platform. I have a 9 inch twist savage .223 and a Ruger ranch rifle marked 5.56. again 9 inch twist. I expect both barrels to handle the same bullet weights and going beyond 69 grains seems a fool's errand based on research. I have no need for a faster twist on either rifle. I am very interested in a 9 inch twist barrel on my CZ550 22-250 once it throws keyholes on paper.

 

[villaman]

I have 1-8 and shots everything from 35 -60 , haven’t tried any heavier than 60 gr

 

[MarinePMI]

1-8 is probably the best compromise for .223/5.56 (ammo dimensions are the same, it's the chamber that is different, to handle the higher/shorter pressure curve of the 5.56).
1-8 will handle bullets up to 75gr (non-polymer tipped).

The faster twist are usually for very specific uses, or other chamberings (such as 224 Valkyrie). My Valkyrie is 1-7.25-6.50 (gain twist) and it will handle 90gr bullets easily. But that twist is very specific to the .224 Valkyrie, as it was intended to shoot primarily heavy for caliber bullets, at long range.

 

[trickie]

My Tikka CTR, shoots Hornady ELDM 77GR out to at least 600 without showing any weaknesses

 

[Cyres]

1.8 use 69 TMK for everything.
N140 and Remmy 7.5 primers. Silly accurate.
D

 

[Eddie P]

I'm thinking of getting a .223 for a foxing/CWD/Muntjac and been reading up about twist rates. The current opinion seems to be a longer bullet needs a higher twist rate (1:8) to stabilize reliably, some .223 are available in this rather than 1:12 but do I miss out on anything if I buy a 5.56 which all seem to be 1:8? Has anyone gone this route and what's your experience?
Thanks

Choose the rifle that you like and ask the manufacturer about 5.56. If it's a 223 wylde chamber it'll take 223+5.56.

Twist wise, 1:8 seems to be the best compromise.

 

[nic531]

when I got mine, it was primarily target and the occasional fox. at 1 in 9 I was told it would fire 62 gn GGG ammo no problem... it does but with no accuracy and lighter is worse .

69 gn and 75gn its very accurate.

 

[25 Sharps]

Can't speak for twist rates, but if you have a 5.56 you can also use .223 ammunition (but not vice versa)

Not true, depends on the rifle and chamber. Loads of people, myself included, shoot 5.56 from there .223s.

 

[25 Sharps]

when I got mine, it was primarily target and the occasional fox. at 1 in 9 I was told it would fire 62 gn GGG ammo no problem... it does but with no accuracy and lighter is worse .

69 gn and 75gn its very accurate.

40 gr blitzking was my go to bullet for pest control with my 1:9 CZ, clover lead groups all day long, 69 gr for target.

 

[villaman]

Not true, depends on the rifle and chamber. Loads of people, myself included, shoot 5.56 from there .223s.

So you can shoot 5.56 from a standard 223 , always been told you can’t

 

[bowji john]

Wylde chamber for both 5.56 and .223

I would go for a 1 in 8 twist or slightly less

I cannot get my blaser (1 - 10 twist?) barrel to handle .223 above 60grns

However my previous .223 with 1:8 twist was great with 72 grain, and, being wylde chambered, shot GGG military ammo just as well

 

[25 Sharps]

So you can shoot 5.56 from a standard 223 , always been told you can’t

It will depend on the throat of your rifle as that’s the only difference between the 2. A 1 1:8/1:9 will potentially have a longer throat for longer bullets so cope fine. That said universal actions like the tikka will accept .270 which run at higher pressure than .223 or 5.56 so will cope.

Up to the individual but I never had an issue with 5.56 in my 1:9 CZ, plenty of people at the club run there .223s on GGG.

I shoot 5.56 to fireform in my current 1:14 ackley .223 but that’s a different proposition as by the time the case blows out I have more capacity anyway.