gbran
Member
Looking for best twist rate. Mostly for small varmints using 40 to 55gr hp's. Will probably lean toward 40-45gr and never greater than 55. Bullets will be fast and trajectory flat.
What twist rate for .223
- Thread starter gbran
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Ridgerunner665
Member
No faster than 1 in 9"...as stated, 1 in 12" will be fine for what you are doing.
gbran
Member
THX. I was concerned whether the same twist would handle both 40gr and 55gr.
Ridgerunner665
Member
Yes... those bullets will be fine in anything slower than 1 in 9".
Maverick223
Member
1 in 9" will give you more versatility, but 1 in 14" will be adequate for the projectiles that you refer to.
1/9 is a lot easier to find, and you'll have a LOT more barrel options. if you go 1/12 or 1/14, you might have to have something custom made, depending on your needs. and, naturally, 1/9 will handle those loads fine. i don't actually see any use for anything slower than 1/9.
Ridgerunner665
Member
Many of the .224 caliber sporting rifles are spun at 1 in 12" - 1 in 14"...its actually harder to find one in 1 in 9".
That may not be true with newer rifles...I have not bought any in a few years, but it was true at one time.
That may not be true with newer rifles...I have not bought any in a few years, but it was true at one time.
Maverick223
Member
It is still true, I think most are assuming this is for a AR...and with the OP residing in Cali that may be a false assumption.
ole farmerbuck
Member
I have a Savage and a Stevens. I think they are both 1 in 9. One year old. My new Savage 22-250 is 1 in 12 i believe.
I use 52 g bullets in the 22-250 and 40g in the 223's.
I use 52 g bullets in the 22-250 and 40g in the 223's.
rangerruck
Member
1/12 is almost perfect, If you could find an old ar pencil bbl, with the origional 1/14 twist, man that would be quite ouchy with some barely stabilized 55 grainers!!!!
jerkface11
Member
My AR has a 1:12 barrel and shoots 69gr match bullets just fine.
andrewshogun
Member
hi there, another forum member gave me the following advice. just something to consider since I see that you are also a CA resident and plan on hunting. out of curiousity, what do most lead-free bullets weigh anyway?
"Andrew...I would look for a .223 that has a 1/9 rate of twist in the bbl. If you do hunt in the lead free zone, those bullets tend to shoot better with a slower twist.
I like Howa rifles, but I think they are 1/12. This is fine for standard 55 grain bullets, but the heavier bullets and the lead free stuff won't shoot so well.
I believe Ruger and Savage use 1/9. Savages are great guns for the money. I really like Rugers as well, but they are a bit more money. The Stevens 200 also has a 1/9 if I remember correctly and they can be had for about 300 bucks.
Good Choice with the .223. It is a fun round and great for learning how to shoot accurately.
Have Fun,
Matt "
"Andrew...I would look for a .223 that has a 1/9 rate of twist in the bbl. If you do hunt in the lead free zone, those bullets tend to shoot better with a slower twist.
I like Howa rifles, but I think they are 1/12. This is fine for standard 55 grain bullets, but the heavier bullets and the lead free stuff won't shoot so well.
I believe Ruger and Savage use 1/9. Savages are great guns for the money. I really like Rugers as well, but they are a bit more money. The Stevens 200 also has a 1/9 if I remember correctly and they can be had for about 300 bucks.
Good Choice with the .223. It is a fun round and great for learning how to shoot accurately.
Have Fun,
Matt "
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