what twist in a 223 twist for target and some long range shooting

[RevolverMan567]

Have a phenominal opportunity on a remington XR 100 but twist is 1-12 and i want to shoot light bullets (50-55) grain for target but will occasionally shoot out to 500 600. Will the 62grain buttets shoot decent out to 500 or do i need to find a 1-9" twist for the heavy stuff. If my twist rate/bullet weight ratio is off feel free to correct me. I just dont want to buy this thing and it not be able shoot out there I already have a 204 for light weight stuff out to 300 so hopefully this will extend me. any thoughts?

 

[redleadrevolver]

have seen a chipmunk dropprd at 468 yards with 55 grain tnt bullet, how much heavier do you need?

 

[kingjoey]

1:12 twist is for really light bullets such as the 45gr. I doubt you'd get any reasonable stabilization of a 62gr bullet with it. If you are looking to shoot 62-80gr bullets in a .223 you'll probably want a 1:7 or 1:8 twist barrel. The 1:12 is an early config for the high speed lightweight bullets originally designed for the .223 before the military figured out that light .223 bullets don't penetrate well

 

[taliv]

personally, i prefer 1:7 because I like to shoot the 80 grain SMK at 600 in NRA HP competition.
if your 600 yrd targets are steel plates, you won't have a problem with 55g as long as you're good with the wind. just don't expect 1/2 MOA or anything

 

[hags]

1:12 twist may or may not stabilize a 62gr bullet depending on the length of the bullet. You will not have any problems stabilizing a 55gr bullet.
A 1:14 twist would be more appropriate for a 40-45 gr "varmint" bullet.
I would think that wind would be the determining factor in your situation. If you have a good "find" on that rifle I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[RevolverMan567]

thanks guys

I am planning on hitting nothing more than small varmint at that range and weather will be optimal or i wont be there. Guess I just wanted to know if the 55 grainers would make it that far with any kind of energy for target shooting and varmint poppin'



who makes a bolt gun in 1-9"

 

[Outlaws]

If you load some 40 gr bullets into that 204 you should be able to shoot to 500 yards and still have about 400 ft. lbs. of energy. That should kill small critters, and punching paper is good a bit further.

 

[RevolverMan567]

think the 223 will be a waste over the 204?

what is the dirrerence in wind bucking ability and energy of the two rounds.

what is suggested energy to take medium varmint at that range?

 

[Outlaws]

For varmints the 204 is superior in every way.

 

[Savage Shooter]

savage makes 1-9twist ones just got one a 12fv shoots great I just need to practice some today I shot a crow at 352 paces which I think is like 352 yards. The stock and is a piece of junk but it still shoots.

 

[RevolverMan567]

think I just decided

went to remingtons website where they offer free ballistics software and side by side comparisons and i think you guys are right about the 204, that coupled with hornady's new 45 grain spire point for the 204, made me decide to see this one through. thanks for all of your input, Im sure Ill get a 223 eventually but the XR may not be the one with a max bullet weight in 55 grains doesen't do anything the 204 wont.

just bought alot of reloading stuff for the 204 and will save the rest of my budget for maybe a 243 wssm or 308 or something else fun


thanks again guys!

 

[gunsnmoses]

The Tikka 223s come in 1 in 8 twist, that will stabilize any round.

I have gotten great results with both 52 and 68gr match ammo, I didn't bother getting any 77gr stuff because I only had a 100 yard range.

 

[RevolverMan567]

thanks

thats really good to know.

 

[taliv]

1 in 8 twist, that will stabilize any round.

most rounds, maybe, but not any round

 

[Outlaws]

Most 204s are 1 in 12 twist, and will not stabilize a 45 grain round.

 

[Bear2000]

I shoot my tightest groups with 77 gr Sierra Matchking HPBT in my 1:9 Savage 12FV. In other words, 1:9 will stabilize a 77 gr bullet - at least in my gun.

 

[skinewmexico]

If you think the 204 is hot, you should bet a 20 Practical. It's what the 204 wanted to be.

 

[Savage Shooter]

bear 2000 how tight of groups do you shoot I cant seem to shoot very tight ones I use 62 grain wolf Hollow points in my savage 12fv .223 how much do the sierras cost and where do you find them

 

[Savage Shooter]

Oh and bear 2000 how far do you shoot at I shoot at 300yards

 

[Bear2000]

Savage Shooter,

I usually only shoot 100 yards, and the groups are under 1", sometimes .5". I am NOT a good shot, but occasionally I'll have someone else shoot my gun at the range to reassure me that it is ME. They can regularly shoot about the size of a nickel or even dime.

My loads are some pretty carefully constructed handloads that have taken some time to develop. I'm using 24 grains of Varget, 77 MK, 2.285" OAL, and some very obsessively prepared brass (Lapua w/CCI match primers, uniformed flash holes, deburred, etc.). I think this plays some role in the tightness of the groups. I'm hoping that with practice I'll be driving tacks.

Bear