.223 bolt twist rate
- Thread starter rjk2475
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Detritus
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Just as important as in any other .223!
importance of twist rate does NOT change when you use a different action type. so it's just as important if you're shooting a bolt action prairie dog gun as it is when your shooting an AR-15.
if your bullet weights are 55gr or less, just about any current production factory gun will have a sufficient twist (don't know of anyone even MAKING a 1 in 14 any more) since as long as it's 1 in 12 or tighter it should do all right, for anything up to 65gr get a 1 in 9 or 1 in 8, if you go with the real heavyweights get a 1 in 7.
anyway, twist rate is twist rate, bolt gun, Semi-auto, pump, break open single shot, don't matter. once the bullet is headed down the bore, it doesnt matter one whit how you got the round into the chamber.
importance of twist rate does NOT change when you use a different action type. so it's just as important if you're shooting a bolt action prairie dog gun as it is when your shooting an AR-15.
if your bullet weights are 55gr or less, just about any current production factory gun will have a sufficient twist (don't know of anyone even MAKING a 1 in 14 any more) since as long as it's 1 in 12 or tighter it should do all right, for anything up to 65gr get a 1 in 9 or 1 in 8, if you go with the real heavyweights get a 1 in 7.
anyway, twist rate is twist rate, bolt gun, Semi-auto, pump, break open single shot, don't matter. once the bullet is headed down the bore, it doesnt matter one whit how you got the round into the chamber.
Hkmp5sd
Member
Twist is important on all firearms, including the .223. Here is a very good article on various twist rates:
On AR-15 Twists by Clint McKee
On AR-15 Twists by Clint McKee
cratz2
Member
It depends on exactly what your intended use is and what bullets you want to be able to use.
1 in 7" is about ideal for 75 Gr and heavier bullets though 62 Gr and up should be fine. This would be my choice for tactical situations or for true long distance shooting (600 yards or so)
1 in 9" is about ideal for 50-75 Gr. My choice for a lightweight rifle for small Texas or Georgia deer at reasonable distances, and varmints out to 300 yards or a bit past.
The slower twist rates are probably most ideal for the 40 and 50 Gr bullets intended to make varmints explode on impact. This would be my choice for a dedicated varmint rifle.
How much of a difference do these make? Not a lot unless you're looking at the extremes: Want to shoot varmints at 400 yards with 40 Gr VMax? Should probably skip the 1 in 7" Want to make sure that 80 Gr bullets hit point first at 80 yards? Skip the 1 in 14" barrels. 50 to 75 Gr at ranges from 100 - 400 yards will work well with 1 in 9" to 1 in 12" twists. Plus rifle to rifle variations will make as much a difference sometimes as well.
1 in 7" is about ideal for 75 Gr and heavier bullets though 62 Gr and up should be fine. This would be my choice for tactical situations or for true long distance shooting (600 yards or so)
1 in 9" is about ideal for 50-75 Gr. My choice for a lightweight rifle for small Texas or Georgia deer at reasonable distances, and varmints out to 300 yards or a bit past.
The slower twist rates are probably most ideal for the 40 and 50 Gr bullets intended to make varmints explode on impact. This would be my choice for a dedicated varmint rifle.
How much of a difference do these make? Not a lot unless you're looking at the extremes: Want to shoot varmints at 400 yards with 40 Gr VMax? Should probably skip the 1 in 7" Want to make sure that 80 Gr bullets hit point first at 80 yards? Skip the 1 in 14" barrels. 50 to 75 Gr at ranges from 100 - 400 yards will work well with 1 in 9" to 1 in 12" twists. Plus rifle to rifle variations will make as much a difference sometimes as well.
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