1/7.7 vs 1/8 twist any real differece?

[minsane]

Hi Guys, I'm getting a new 20 inch stainless Krieger barrel for target and benchrest shooting and I have the option of a 1/7.7 or 1/8 twist with .223 Wylde chamber. Will I see any difference between the two twists? I will be shooting PPU 75 grain match and I have about 1.5 K of the PPU M193.

Does anyone have experience with these twist rates?

[DRich]

I've been using Krieger 1:7.7" barrels on my CMP/DCM rifles since the mid-90's. However, I've only used my 75gr or 77gr handloads since these are strictly competition rifles. I've never tried any other bullet weights and I replace them at the 5k mark...which meant I was going through about 4 barrels a year when I was serious about Service Rifle comps. For the 75gr bullets, you won't really notice much difference between the two twist rates. If you ever move up to the 80gr bullets, you'll want the faster twist.

I certainly wouldn't run any M193 spec 5.56 ammo through them since it would only serve to wear out the barrel faster while providing no real benefit for practice.

[minsane]

I think that I might go through about 500 rounds per year. The rifle I am getting together will have a .223 Wylde chamber. Would it be unwise to shoot 5.56 through this rifle? Would SS109 ammo be a better practice round?

[kwelz]

The Wylde chamber is made to shoot both 5.56 and .223, you should have no problems.

[DRich]

Originally Posted by minsane

Would SS109 ammo be a better practice round?

No...SS109 would not be good for practice. Not only is it not very accurate, the ballistics are quite different from heavy match ammo.

You should practice with the same ammo you shoot in competition. The purpose of practice is to become proficient with the ammo you use at the matches. Otherwise, you're just burning up your barrel with no real benefit.