223 twist

[Justin B]

Quick question looking at a 22 inch tube in 223 in 1/12 twist. Will this stabilize a 53 vmax? Next step is 1/9

Thanks

 

[ronsatspokane]

Yes. But in my experience that is the upper limit. You'll find people who will claim that a 1:12 will stabilize anything. I'm not sure they are as picky. 1:9 I find that 65-73 works in them.

 

[Justin B]

Is there a downside of 1/9 with 53s vs the 1/12

 

[Mark M.]

My pac nor 22" 3 groove 12 twist bolt spoter will stabilize everything up to 55 grain, 53 grain VMax is my favorite

 

[ebb]

In todays world I think 1/9 is the slowest I would even consider. I load a lot of sierra 69 grain match kings for ARs. They shoot pretty good out of a bolt action gun Ive had for a few years. But the bolt gun came alive with Berger 73 grain bullets. I took a newbee to manatee with his 30-06, we fought a Simmons 3-9 on it that had issues and after may rounds and much time got a few hits with his gun. He shot the 223 with Bergers the rest of the day and said "You really had to screw up and ignore the wind to miss with the 223 at 600yds." I have an AR with a 7 twist I wish it were a better 1/9. I just don't see the use for it. I bought a box of Berger 75 grain bullets at the same time I got the first 73s, many have said it will stabilize the 75s, haven't tried yet.

 

[AllenOne1]

I'm with ebb I wouldn't barrel it with less than a 1/9 twist. It just gives you so many more options with bullet choices and I don't think it hurts the lighter bullets to spin them faster.

 

[Fuj]

Quick question looking at a 22 inch tube in 223 in 1/12 twist. Will this stabilize a 53 vmax? Next step is 1/9.....Thanks

You'll will be just fine with the 12 twist and 53 grainer The
velocity you can attain with a 22" tube does not warrant
a faster twist. Now if you plan on playing with much longer
pills in the future in that same rifle, a nine twister would be
a better choice. Using the JBM calculator to 3000 fps, your
more then gold......

 

[jelenko]

Note that, at least for match bullets, the techs I've spoken with at Hornady want their bullets to spin no faster than 280,000 RPM; Sierra no faster than 250,000 - 260,000 RPM.

RPM = Muzzle velocity times 720/Twist Rate

 

[JB10]

You will be fine up to 55gr. The flat base bullets are different. 60gr bergers list for a 1:12 or faster.

 

[skeeljc]

My 26" Krieger 1:12 handles 53's and 55's just fine. It really likes 50's going 3500 fps.

 

[K22]

I have several 223's Rem with both a 12" & 8" twist and one with a 9" twist. I'll share my experiences thus far. However I haven't shot the 53 Vmax yet but I understand it does well with faster twists. I have much more experience with the 12" twist versions of this caliber and I'm only a recent (within the last 3 years) users of the faster twist versions.

I actually prefer the 12" twist in this caliber because I like to shoot 50 and 55 Nosler BT's. I'm a varmint and predator hunter so the terminal performance and the flatter trajectory of these bullets compared to the heavies suit me. The 50 Nosler BT's really shine in my 12" twist varmint rifles with 26" heavy varmint barrels. I getting about 3,300 f/s with H4895 and no pressure signs. The terminal performance of this bullet is outstanding on varmints.

I'm at the age that I don't want to invest a small fortune in a scope that has repeatable and reliable dial up capability so I use the hold over method on shots beyond 225 yards. The flatter shooting 50's and 55's in this range thus appeals to me. Besides since I use a cross stick as a shooting aid in the field my upper limit on varmint vitals is under 300 yards. But try to buy a 223 Rem with a 12" twist these days - not sure anyone makes them anymore. It seems everyone wants to shoot heavy bullets in the 223 Rem. Not sure how these heavies lends themselves to varmint hunting but I'm sure someone will enlighten me.

I have two Tikka's with 8" twist, the lite and varmint models. Very excellent rifles. Both shoot the 60 Vmax bullet in the 1/2 moa range with H4895. The varmint model (heavy barrel) is sub 1/2 moa. I was able to get the 55 Nosler's to group in the 1/2 moa range in these 8" twist rifles but I had to reduce the powder charge i.e. velocity down about 100 to 200 f/s. which kind of defeats my purpose in wanting to use the 55's so I opted to stay with the 60 Vmax's. Basically purchases these rifles for winter practice to keep sharp for summer varmint hunting. Also they work well for predator hunting in the areas I hunt where ranges are under 200 yards.

I have 223 Rem with a 9" twist, a Vanguard. Nice rifle for the price. This one shoots the 55 Nosler's just fine and I don't see much of a difference from the 12" twist rifles with regards to this bullet.

Neither my 8" or 9" twist 223 Rem's like the 50 Nosler BT's but this may be just in my rifles.

 

[clunker]

My Tikka in .223 with 1/10 twist will stabilize up to 69gr flawlessly, but I wouldn't try anything heavier. With a 1/12, you are probably fine up to 55gr. Personally, I would opt for the 1/9 because you have the flexibility to try more options.

 

[skeeljc]

I will second K22 on the 50 grain Nosler BT B-Tip working well in a 1:12. These were shot with my Remington 700 with a Krieger 26" 1:12 Varmint contour.

 

[Justin B]

Thanks Allot of good info if only they made a variable twist barrel.

 

[Texas10]

My 1/8 twist Criterion barrel shoots everything from 50 gr Match Kings at 3400 fps to 80 gr A-Max at 2700 fps. Good all around twist rate. If you're building for a particular purpose such as P-dog splatter factor, go slower on the twist and use lighter bullets. If you want flexibility in bullet weight, go 8 twist.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Quick question looking at a 22 inch tube in 223 in 1/12 twist. Will this stabilize a 53 vmax? Next step is 1/9

Thanks

The 1-12 will stabilize the 53 vmax just fine. But if you have a choice, go with the 1-9 you may want to shoot a heavier bullet someday.