.22-250 rifling twist

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olgeorge

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What are your thoughts on the twist rate in a .22-250? I was thinking that a twist that would stabilize 60-75 grain bullets would be better than the more traditional 1-14 twist that seems to be most used. Maybe 1-10? I don't see a down-side to a faster twist, as long as it's not too extreme.
 
LoonWulf said:
Honestly I think it depends on what you you want to use the rifle for.
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This.

I know it is fashionable these days to want to shoot heavier bullets at longer ranges but if you are using a 22-250 for what it is best at, such as flopping coyotes and prairie dogs, a standard twist barrel is all you will need.

Deer hunting or long range target shooting may necessitate heavier bullets and faster twists.

I like 1:8.
 
I have a Remington Model 700 in .22-250 Remington; it has a 1:14 twist. For heavy bullets, the round nosed, flat based 70 bullet (Speer, I think) is the longest bullet that will stabilize; and it shoots rather loose. The Sierra 69 boat tail, spitzer point bullet is just enough longer to pattern like a non-choked shotgun. The heaviest bullet that shoots well (which is of course a subjective standard) are those around 55 grains. As I recall, the 'acceptable' twist rate for the heavy bullets is a around 1:8 or so. I speculate 1:9 or even 1:10 might work for the lucky ones, but the faster rate to make sure.

But of course, 'no one needs' a heavy bullet.
 
I'd consider a 1:10 or 1:12 if an opportunity to buy the right rifle presented itself. If I was building, though, I'd go 1:8. That's what I did in my .22-250 Ackley Improved. Still experimenting with loads for it, but it looks promising.
 
A 1:8" twist rate will handle 55gr to 75gr just fine- it's pretty much the sweet spot for most loads. It doesn't do well if the bullets get much longer / heavier than 80gr, tho.
 
When I built my .22-250 AI a decade ago I specified 1-8" twist, and raised some eyebrows. Used to use the 69 Grain Sierra BT because all that was commonly available . Today I settled on the 75 grain Amax bullet at 3300 FPS from a 26" barrel +- , it is a 1/2 MOA gun- potentially . 1-8" is the number for a slow twist .22-250AI or .22 Cheetah or .220 Jay Bird ect..
 
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VoodooMountain said:
Agreed but it costs the same to make a 1/8 twist. I would think the demand is there but maybe I'm the weird one.
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Considering pretty much all of us called for a 1-8, I'd say there's a market for them. As a super high velocity varmint popper, I think a 1-10/1-12 might be a better option.

Gordon said:
Ruger did make a small batch of 1-8" .22-250 rifles, I saw one on Gunbroker for sale. I think it was an American Predator.
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I remember seeing those in catalog, never seen one in person tho.
 
LoonWulf said:
Considering pretty much all of us called for a 1-8, I'd say there's a market for them. As a super high velocity varmint popper, I think a 1-10/1-12 might be a better option.


I remember seeing those in catalog, never seen one in person tho.
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With my boy's 12, 62 swift and 50 ish ttsx are as slippery as we can go, would try the 62/65 sgk if they were in stock though......but really, I cry on the inside cuz it's not an 8 twist and whilst he doesn't yet know what he's missing (11y/o) I DO darn it!
 
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