.223, 24" 1in9 twist bull barrel question

[SSN Vet]

Seems like AR component inventories are flush and prices back down, so I'm picking up my target AR build again.

Can a 24" 1in9 twist bull barrel in .223 stabilize the heavier (75-77 gr) bullets?

I know the conventional wisdom for 16" barrels would require at least a 1in8 twist....

But I'd like to hear peoples actual experience with 24" varmint or bull barrels.

 

[sirgilligan]

Well, I have a 24" varmint barrel, but it is a bolt action. It has 1:9 twist. Here is what it can do with a 75 grain factory round:

 

[Laphroaig]

Why not just get a 1:8 and be done with it? My target AR has a 1:7.7 so I can't speak first hand. But I do know shooters who can stabilize 80 SMK's with a 24" 1:9, but I suspect they're right on the edge of stability.

If you intend to shoot long distance, why take a chance that longer VLD bullets won't work in your setup?

Laphroaig

 

[joem1945]

I have a 24" SS barrel w/ 1/8 twist that will do under 1" @ 100 yds on a calm day from a rest and 75 gr Black Hills match Ammo.

 

[MistWolf]

If you have 1:7.7 twist, you a 1:8

 

[SSN Vet]

Why not just get a 1:8 and be done with it?

It comes down to what's available within my budget.

I'm not dropping $500 on a barrel, so my options are more limited.

 

[Laphroaig]

How much are you dropping?

https://www.stagarms.com/24-5-56-bull-barrel/

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=275

If you never plan on anything longer than 75's, a 1:9 should be fine.

Laphroaig

 

[Fremmer]

Good thread SSN, been looking at those rifles myself lately.

The question I started asking is why not stick with the 1:9 and just shoot the lighter rounds? Velocity! But no actual experience, so others will know more.

 

[MachIVshooter]

It comes down to what's available within my budget.

I'm not dropping $500 on a barrel, so my options are more limited.

http://www.jsesurplus.com/WilsonArms24.223Wylde1x8StainlessSteelNitrideBullBarrelStripped.aspx

I would not run 1:9 if 75 gr. and heavier are on the menu.

I'm rockin' the 22" Wilson, and I can print slightly smaller (0.82 MOA avg) groups with 75 gr. Hornady match BTHP than what sirgilligan posted. So what makes it better, you ask? Well............I'm doing 10 shot groups, not 3.

 

[Cee Zee]

My 26" 1:9 twist barrel works fine with 75 gr. bullets but anything bigger is all over the map.

 

[M1key]

20 inch 1:9 Remington Tactical "bull barrel" bolt gun with Hornady 75 gr handloads

Good luck

M

 

[carbine85]

A 1:9 will get the job done. If you are going for sub MOA groups I would get the 1:8 twist. That's what most target shooters use and mine will drop 20 rounds in a hole the size of a quarter. A 24" barrel isn't needed. A 20" is all you need if that makes it cheaper.

 

[M1key]

edit....

 

[MEHavey]

The "bull" part of the barrel is not a factor.
The spin rate of the bullet at the muzzle is.

Getting that 77-grainer up to ~ ≥240-250,000
RPM is key to stability. So if you can push it
to 3,000fps(+) in that 24"/1-in-9, you'll be OK



*To show you how on edge you might be, however,
I was never able to get a 77SMK to stabilize in a
20" Colt HBAR. It req'd a barrel change
to 1-in-7.7

 

[SSN Vet]

Wilson Arms.... check

Bull Barrel... understand that... was really referring to the 24" length.

Am I correct in my understanding that longer barrels generally will produce higher spin rates?

 

[ironworkerwill]

With increased velocity, spin(RPM) will also increase. That is the only way to increase spin- 1 to increase spin ratio with a new barrel ( like going from 1:12 to 1:9) 2 increase velocity(longer barrel, lighter projectile ect)