what twist?

[redranger1]

ok fellas, ive got a 1976 bicentineal(sp?) model ruger m77. it is chamber in a 220 swift with a semi-heavy barrel. does anybody have any idea what the twist in the rifling might be? and for that specific cartridge what is the ideal twist to have? i ask that question and im sure ill be asked questions to answer my question. does that make sense? great, now im questioning myself! anyhow all im really lookin to use the rifle for is some rare varmint hunting, a go-to gun in the house for whatever i might want to shoot round the yard, and just somethin else to have cash tied up in thanks fellas.

 

[Jim Watson]

i am pretty sure it has a 1 in 14 twist which is intended for bullets from the original 48 grains to the usual big .22s 55 grains. but it should handle 60 grain flatbase spitzers and the sierra 63 grain semipointed and the blunt speer 70 grain. at least my ruger .22-250 with that barrel will. not 69 grain match boattails. anything lighter if you dont drive it so fast as to blow it up. if you want an ideal twist you will have to say what different weight and style of bullet you plan to use. if it is way different a new barrel will be expensive.

 

[redranger1]

i have bought 3 boxes of ammo to get me started. a box of 50, 55, and 60 grains. i would love to someday get into reloading so when i do that i can "fine tune" the rifle. i really dont want to shoot many "hotrod" rounds through this particular rifle as i believe it will have some collector value someday and i dont want a shot out barreled 220 swift. thanks

 

[Fumbler]

If you want to find out what your barrel's twist is, use a cleaning rod with a patch.

Put the patch/rod down the bore (but not all the way through).
Mark a spot on the top of the rod near a reference point like the rear of the action.
Slowly pull the rod back out and stop when that mark comes back to the top.
Measure from your reference point (rear of action) to the mark.
That will give you the distance for one rotation (AKA your twist rate).

Most 220 Swifts are 1:14 twist and do well with 55gr bullets.
But, of course, the only way to know what bullets your gun likes is to shoot it.