Twist rates for various calibers?

[Quick Stick]

I need some help with deciding which direction to go. I am wanting to do some medium range work and learn something new. I have no experience shooting past 200yds and have decided to finally scratch the itch to do some "longer" shooting. Max range will be only 400/500yds. I want to stay with .223 for sure, however everything I find has a twist rate of 1/9. Will that twist work with the heavier bullets in the bolt gun? I'm not wanting to re-barrel from a factory gun to get the twist I need, if thats the case, I'll stick with my AR's. Thanks for the help guys!

[Artos]

1/7 & 1/8 are considered the prefered twist for what you want to do...

1/9 with 75gr & up is a crap shoot.

[Quick Stick]

Thanks for the reply. Whats up with no one making the 1/7 twist standard for these? Oh well, appreciate the help!

[wahoo95]

1:9 will shoot 69gr bullets perfectly fine out to 400/500yds. Give them a try.

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[arizona98tj]

Thanks for the reply. Whats up with no one making the 1/7 twist standard for these? Oh well, appreciate the help!

Just my opinion....but it seems that manufacturers making .223 bolt guns do so with the intended purpose of varmit hunting. Typically a bullet weight of 40 to 50 grains is used for this....and the bullet velocity is notably faster than what the 75 to 90 grain bullets produce. As such, barrels with slower twist rates are put on these bolt action rifles.

I'm not claiming that any logic from the manufacturer is being applied here...but that is how it appears so me. Maybe someone else has an idea?

[wahoo95]

Just my opinion....but it seems that manufacturers making .223 bolt guns do so with the intended purpose of varmit hunting. Typically a bullet weight of 40 to 50 grains is used for this....and the bullet velocity is notably faster than what the 75 to 90 grain bullets produce. As such, barrels with slower twist rates are put on these bolt action rifles.

I'm not claiming that any logic from the manufacturer is being applied here...but that is how it appears so me. Maybe someone else has an idea?

I agree with your logic

[jmart]

If barrel length is 22-24", 1 in 9" might stabilize 75-77 grain bullets given the added velocity. If barrel is shorter, you need to look for 1 in 8" or quicker to be safe.

I'd pose this question at Sniperhide or 6mmBR.com to get an answer from folks who have probably plowed this ground before. Asking a predominantly carbine board won't get you much "hands on" advise.

[mark5pt56]

I had a .223 700 LTR w/ 1n9 and it ran the 77 loads well. I don't recall the velocity on them but they were a tad warm. I have also had no problem with a Colt 20" 1n9 running 262 loads. Bottom line, it will depend on velocity, factors that come in are barrel quality and or wear. You stabilize anything in a sewer pipe if it goes fast enough.

I would suggest maybe picking up a stock 700 which will more than likely have a 1n9, try the heavier loads and the 68/69 ones. If it doesn't work well with the 75/77's use the lighter ones and rebarrel later on.

FN makes a .223 also, it's 1n9 as well. Both can be customized later with stock options, detachable mag kits, etc. Poke around the boards and you may find one for sale-you have to be quick at times though.

[drck1000]

I had a .223 700 LTR w/ 1n9 and it ran the 77 loads well. I don't recall the velocity on them but they were a tad warm. I have also had no problem with a Colt 20" 1n9 running 262 loads. Bottom line, it will depend on velocity, factors that come in are barrel quality and or wear. You stabilize anything in a sewer pipe if it goes fast enough.

I would suggest maybe picking up a stock 700 which will more than likely have a 1n9, try the heavier loads and the 68/69 ones. If it doesn't work well with the 75/77's use the lighter ones and rebarrel later on.

FN makes a .223 also, it's 1n9 as well. Both can be customized later with stock options, detachable mag kits, etc. Poke around the boards and you may find one for sale-you have to be quick at times though.

Mark - For your 223 700 LTR 1/9 that you ran the 77 gr loads in, did it have the stock 20" barrel length? Or did you have a custom barrel installed (longer than 20")?

[lifebreath]

If barrel length is 22-24", 1 in 9" might stabilize 75-77 grain bullets given the added velocity. If barrel is shorter, you need to look for 1 in 8" or quicker to be safe.

I'd pose this question at Sniperhide or 6mmBR.com to get an answer from folks who have probably plowed this ground before. Asking a predominantly carbine board won't get you much "hands on" advise.

My 1/9 twist Colt Accurized Rifle does great with 77 gr. However, it is a 24" barrel.