[Prof]

I've ordered a Remington 700VS in .223 and was wondering what the twist rate of that barrel is? Also, what bullet weights would shoot best in that rate of twist? (I know very little about the relationship of twist rates and bullet weights). Thanks!

[swifter]

Hmmm... I dunno what twist Remington uses, but I'd speculate it was either 12 or 14.
12 should stabilize up to 55--60 gr., 14 a bit lighter. F'rinstance, I have a 14 twist on my .220AI, 40, 50, and most 55s will stabilize.
Sierra's BlitzKing 55s will not.:cuss:

In general, its not the weight, but the length. 'Course, if you want to make a .224 heavier, its really tricky making it wider...:D
Faster twists work with heavier bullets, slower with lighter.
Do a search on Lilja Barrels, he has a twist rate chart on his site, if you want some info that's not filtered thru an old brain...:what:
Tom

[Frohickey]

1/12inches according to Remington's website (http://www.remington.com/firearms/centerfire/700VS.HTM)

You can make it heavier if you have access to Tungsten or Depelted Uranium. :neener:

[Prof]

Thanks, I appreciate the info. Now, if I understand it correctly, the 1:12 twist of the .223 700VS would stabalize 55-60 grain bullets best? I have some 52 grain Black Hills -- would they also shoot alright: i.e.- does just a few grains make a big difference?

[larryw]

My 223 VS is much happier with the lighter bullets. 40gr Hornady V-Max are far and away the best in my gun (but I drive them hotter than most factory loads).

Here's (http://www.loadammo.com/Topics/July01.htm) a pretty good discussion of the Greenhill formula to help you sort this out.

[Skullboy]

The Rem700 VS .223 is indeed a 1 in 12 twist barrel.AFAIK, the 1 in 12 barrel won't properly stabilise bullets heavier then 55grs.

SKBY.

[Freedom in theSkies]

I understand that the ability to stabilize a bullet has to do with the ratio of bullet length vs. diameter. I'm not sure if bearing surface of the bullet plays into the equation, but if you stay under 60 gr. with a 1:12 twist rate, you should see some exellent accuracy.

[GinSlinger]

The formula that I have come across is :

T=C(K/(L/C))
Where:
T=twist rate (9)
C=caliber (.277)
K=Constant (180)
L=Bullet length (solving for)
and the discussion can be found at:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4463

Best of Luck,
GinSlinger

[Prof]

Thanks, everyone!

[Jim Watson]

Over the range of bullet weights common for target and varmint shooting, the theoretical relationship of twist and bullet length doesn't always hold. You are just going to have to do the shooting, tough as that may be. A 60 grain flatbase may shoot well in your 1x12 Remington, I know the Berger does in my old 788 with that twist. On the other hand, the Berger 52 grain bullet is more accurate in my 1x9 ARS Ruger than the 60. And the Sierra 52 gr BTHP Match is accurate in everything I have tried it in, from a 1x7 HBAR to a 1x14 .22-250. I seldom buy anything else these days, although I have some Remington 50 grain Pow-r-lokt that do very well. But I am not a highpower competitor who needs 69 grain bullets for midrange and 77-80 for long, nor a 3-gun shooter with M855/SS109 ball, either. Those need more twist.