Thread: Twist for a short mag .223

Hey team, looking to throw a new barrel on a Zastava .223 that’s a bit rough in the throat now. Given that the mag will only allow SAAMI length ammo in it, what rate of twist would you recommend? My old Model 7 went ok with 75gr Hornady BTHP factory ammo, with a 1-9” twist. My gut feel is that would be about as tight as it’s worth going on a short mag. I don’t shoot many deer with small cartridges these days, as I’ve got bigger ones for that, but I guess it’s handy to have a little more payload on tap if something a little bigger pops up.

75gr id suggest an 8 twist to stabilize fully and anything above that a 7 twist will leave no doubt

I totally get that faster twist is safer, but with a short mag I reckon there’s a point where the pills are too long and robbing horsepower.

The better question would be: What is the heaviest pill you would use in a SAAMI length mag? Then I can work twist back from there.

Seeing as there's no real penalty for going for a faster twist I'd just put a 8 twist barrel on. Then any projectiles you want to use will be all good.

You could always single feed the heavies if you had to

Depends on what you use the .223...

I load 69gr Sierra Matchking for long-range rabbits with a range finder in a Howa mini action.
I have a 1:9 twist barrel on it which will allow the 69gr bullet to go down to about 1500fps or out to about 600 yards before becoming unstable.

The CZ 527(?) mini mauser action uses a 1:9 and I think the factory Howa mini use a 1:8....so yeah....take your choice pretty much.

Uses Berger bullets but you can input your own bullet BC etc, so gives a good idea on how to choose twist rate:

https://bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

1:12 will be happy with flat based 60gr or even possible with the Sierra 65gr GK.

Load some dummy rounds if you can grab a few pills load to mag length pick a pill that fits mag isn’t eating to much powder space and have the barrel twist suit said weight and have it throated accordingly

The zastavas came in 1:12 and 1:10 if you were happy with it before get the same twist again or maybe 1:9. Personally I think the 223 works best with between 55 and 65 grain bullets beyond that you sacrifice speed for weight and I don't think it's a good trade.

Even the Howa minis with thier limited mag length are 1:8 twist . . . .

Thanks for the input everyone. I reckon I’ll just go with a 1-12 like it currently has. The way I look at it, the .223 is a varmint rifle, so I’ll twist it for those projectile weights. I’ve got a couple of proper medium game cartridges which I’ll leave for the deer hunting.

Probably going to get flamed for the ‘varmint’ call, I know heaps of guys shoot their deer with a .223. I have done too, but I categorise the .22 centrefires (and similar) in that category now.

Give the 52gr Targex a try in that new barrel, they are superbly accurate in my 1:12

Sorry about poor pix quality, taken through spotter.

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

Thanks for the input everyone. I reckon I’ll just go with a 1-12 like it currently has. The way I look at it, the .223 is a varmint rifle, so I’ll twist it for those projectile weights. I’ve got a couple of proper medium game cartridges which I’ll leave for the deer hunting.

Probably going to get flamed for the ‘varmint’ call, I know heaps of guys shoot their deer with a .223. I have done too, but I categorise the .22 centrefires (and similar) in that category now.

Don't forget the old boys used to drop them with 50 somethings in their 222s. No reason why you cant with your 1:12 if one pops out

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

Thanks for the input everyone. I reckon I’ll just go with a 1-12 like it currently has. The way I look at it, the .223 is a varmint rifle, so I’ll twist it for those projectile weights. I’ve got a couple of proper medium game cartridges which I’ll leave for the deer hunting.

Probably going to get flamed for the ‘varmint’ call, I know heaps of guys shoot their deer with a .223. I have done too, but I categorise the .22 centrefires (and similar) in that category now.

yeah I went and replaced my 1-9 twist ar with a 1-8 twist howa
still shoots the 55gr flat based soft points I have left over but the ability to stabilise something a bit heavier later down the track when they run out

im yet to find a rifle thats too fast in the twist department