.223 Barrel Twist

[YOOO VINNY]

Time to rebarrel my .223
It's a 700bdl with a factory profile barrel that I use for carry-around varmint hunting.
I'm thinking about ditching the 1/12 twist and trying a faster 1/9 barrel and some heavier bullets.
BUT,,, I still want to shoot my 52-55gr varmint bullets too.

I know the 1/7 twist AR I have dosent like light bullets worth a hoot.

I've no experience with 1/9, will it shoot the lighter pills well for me too, or do I really need to pick and stick with just one side of the coin ??

TIA
Cheers, YV

 

[f d shuster]

223 twist

yooovinny: If the decision is to be made about the "best" barrel twist rate for the 223, the 1-9 would be at the top of the list, imo. Several of my AR uppers, Ruger #1, and a couple of bolt-actions, are all 1-9. They all are consistantly accurate, averaging well below M.O.A. with 5 shot groups, using any high quality bullet 50 gr. ( the minimum I've tried) to 69/70 gr. ( the maximum). I have several 223s' with 1-8s' that will take weights/lengths up to 80 gr., they are "maybe" performers when bullet weights get to less than 60 gr. 1-9 is probably the most versatile twist, to use with a widest range of bullet weights.

 

[223 shooter]

The 1 in 9" is a great all round twist rate for the .223. My factory 700LTR has the 1 in 9" with a 20" barrel and shoots extremely well with 52 and 55 grain bullets. Some of the very best groups I ever fired were with 55 Bergers. Of course it is excellent with bullets like the 69 MatchKing.

My 1 in 9" Savage 12BVSS has shot well with 52 and 55 match bullets too.