Thread: 223 twist rates

Mine is 1:9 (standard twist for Savage), from memory it was ok with the 77smk but wouldn't stabilise the 75amax when I tried heavier stuff. Expected the 75amax to be marginal though as its longer than the 77smk.

Now getting great accuracy with Hornady 53vmax for smaller critters and 68bthp for bigger ones (though I have taken a fallow buck with a 53vmax neck shot).

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Mine is 1:9 (standard twist for Savage), from memory it was ok with the 77smk but wouldn't stabilise the 75amax when I tried heavier stuff. Expected the 75amax to be marginal though as its longer than the 77smk.

Now getting great accuracy with Hornady 53vmax for smaller critters and 68bthp for bigger ones (though I have taken a fallow buck with a 53vmax neck shot).

Interesting.

I also had bad results with 75 Amax. Switched to 69 TMK, but might give the 77 matchkings a go...

Originally Posted by ebf

Interesting.

I also had bad results with 75 Amax. Switched to 69 TMK, but might give the 77 matchkings a go...

73gr ELDM goes in the 1 in 9.

Heavier bullets are a trade off for velocity eating up case volume to keep oal or at least were in ars, as they no longer exist i guess you could seat further out, so stick to 1:9 or 10 for a range of projectiles that cover everything the 223 was intended for.

1:8 all the way, shoot anything from 50-80gr

I had 75gr Amax shooting like a laser beam out of a 1:9, but it seams to be touch and go at this twist rate. 1:8 or faster is what you want if buying new. I have heard that 1:12 can do some of the stumpy 60ish gr bullets, like the 60gr Hornady, 63gr Sierra etc. I got excellent accuracy with light bullets out of 1:7 AR barrels. There is no real world disadvantage to running a fast twist.

My 1:8 won’t shoot 50s but sweet on 55s.


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Originally Posted by Dicko

My 1:8 won’t shoot 50s but sweet on 55s.


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Luck of the barrel draw, I had one that was good with 50's the other not so great.

Both the Same brand - ballistic tips. From phenomenal to phucked over 5 grains!


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Originally Posted by Dicko

Both the Same brand - ballistic tips. From phenomenal to phucked over 5 grains!


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Yip, same. Both Tikka. Same 50gr zmax one hole to an inch. (Which isn't exceptable for me.)

I have a Tikka 1:8 and its sweet with 55 gr Sierras, 63 gr Sierras and even tried some 69 gr Sierras and its been sweet with all of those.

I was loaned some 50 gr Ammo but I can't remember the brand and it was 5 inch grouping at mtr

I have some 50 gr Hornady's for the .222 that I use which are leathel but haven't tried them in the .223 as I have no need to as the 55 & 63 gr Sierras are potent killers.

I have a Savage Model 12 VLP DBM ,233 with a 26" 1:7 barrel.

Shoots well with any .223 projectile.
My son & I shot it in FTR with 80 gr A-Max.
In light winds it competes with 308s. Harder at longer 800 yards+ ranges in the wind.

Cyclops, the Berger 80.5 gn pill also shoots very well single loaded at distant targets. A 1:8 will stabilise them


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Originally Posted by GravelBen

Mine is 1:9 (standard twist for Savage), from memory it was ok with the 77smk but wouldn't stabilise the 75amax when I tried heavier stuff. Expected the 75amax to be marginal though as its longer than the 77smk.

Now getting great accuracy with Hornady 53vmax for smaller critters and 68bthp for bigger ones (though I have taken a fallow buck with a 53vmax neck shot).

Great wee pill the 53gr Vmax, good bc. I'm getting good accuracy in a 1:10 twist 222 with the 53's.