My first post though I've read the forum for years. My gunsmith has a Shilen xx .224 7 contour 1-9" twist that he received in a trade years ago. I want to build a .222 Rem. The Shilen website say it will shot up to 70gr bullets. My concern is will it shoot 52 -55gr bullets since I have lots of these. In these times I don't want to try and find bullets since I have these. Thanks for your help.
.222 Rem twist rate
- Thread starter umpreacher
- Start date
Adam in WI
Practically lives here
I think you'd be better off waiting to find a 1-12" barrel. That would let you shoot what you have well and be able to shoot the 53 grain vmax if ever needed. .222 doesn't really have enough gas imo to shoot the bullets that would call for a 1-9 barrel.
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
I think a question is whether the lighter bullets [say, in the 50 -60 grain range] have thinner jackets.
The reason I mention this is I note that the 'assumed' twist for 222 is 1:14. From reloading tables, it looks like 222 tops out around 2800 - 2900 fps. In a 1:14, that's 144,000 RPM. For the 69 - 80 grain bullets for 223, it's common to get them going ~ 2900 fps in an 1:8 => 260,000.
The reason I mention this is I note that the 'assumed' twist for 222 is 1:14. From reloading tables, it looks like 222 tops out around 2800 - 2900 fps. In a 1:14, that's 144,000 RPM. For the 69 - 80 grain bullets for 223, it's common to get them going ~ 2900 fps in an 1:8 => 260,000.
Will it work? Yes but a true answer is maybe, some barrels like some bulletts and others hate the same bulletts. I have a 1 in 7 that really shoots well with 69 grain with COAL that fits the magazine. It shoots 52 grain pretty well but just as well as the 69 if I load the cartridge longer and single load.
You're between a rock and a hard place, to really up the odds of this build shooting 52 to 55 grain well I'd custom cut the freebore.
HOWEVER, it may screw you in the future if you want to go heavier.
Just my opinion but as far as field work goes my 223 gets fed 40 grain projectiles to run up the velocity and decrease the time of flight.
Depends if you are looking for the very best in accuracy with 52-55 grain bullets used in typical .222 ranges-uo to 250 yards. In short range Benchrest slow twist rules- ~1/14 for .224 and 6mm calibers, ~1/18 for 30 cals. Faster bullet rotation tends to cause the slightest bullet imperfections to open up groups.
The 1-9 Twist will shoot, the 50 thru, 69 - 70 grain Bullets,.. FINE !
Just watch "Jacket Thickness" when, Picking those very, Light weight, Bullets.
Tripple Dueces "probably" won't generate enough Velocity, to Blow, ANY Bullet,.. apart !
See,.. jelenko's Post !
Get what you, want, Personally, I'd go for,.. IT ! Especially IF,.. at a "Deal" Price !
Just watch "Jacket Thickness" when, Picking those very, Light weight, Bullets.
Tripple Dueces "probably" won't generate enough Velocity, to Blow, ANY Bullet,.. apart !
See,.. jelenko's Post !
Get what you, want, Personally, I'd go for,.. IT ! Especially IF,.. at a "Deal" Price !
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I shoot 70 and 80 grain Bullets, in a 1-7.5 Twist, 6 XC @ 3,100 -3,200 FPS into, Tiny,.. "Bug Holes" !
"Over Twisting" a Bullet, is HIGHLY, over stated, IMO,.. AND it, really "Bugged" me when choosing, my 6 XC Barrel !
Just adjust your Load to, THE "Proper", Velocity,.. NEEDED for, Accuracy !
It's not,.. "Rocket Science" !
My 1-7 Twist .223 / 5.56 Shoots, 50's's thru 75's and NONE have,.. "Blown apart" !
Agree that, IF ONLY shooting, Lite Bullets, the 1-12 might be best for, Bench Rest, Matches.
Question, are you going to,.. "compete" or just,.. have Fun ??
MORE Bullets, are coming ON the Market, Daily, Primers, ARE,.. the "Big Issue" !
"Over Twisting" a Bullet, is HIGHLY, over stated, IMO,.. AND it, really "Bugged" me when choosing, my 6 XC Barrel !
Just adjust your Load to, THE "Proper", Velocity,.. NEEDED for, Accuracy !
It's not,.. "Rocket Science" !
My 1-7 Twist .223 / 5.56 Shoots, 50's's thru 75's and NONE have,.. "Blown apart" !
Agree that, IF ONLY shooting, Lite Bullets, the 1-12 might be best for, Bench Rest, Matches.
Question, are you going to,.. "compete" or just,.. have Fun ??
MORE Bullets, are coming ON the Market, Daily, Primers, ARE,.. the "Big Issue" !
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NZ_Fclass
Silver $$ Contributor
It will work fine. I have an 8 twist on my Tikka - the barrel was replaced with a take=off from a new rifle.
I use 55g mostly, as I have a pile of "bulk" no name ( look like Hornaday spire points) pills. Great for rabbits, goats and anything in between.
Just keep the throat short.
I use 55g mostly, as I have a pile of "bulk" no name ( look like Hornaday spire points) pills. Great for rabbits, goats and anything in between.
Just keep the throat short.
It depends on what your doing with it. If you are shooting varmint's and want them to explode, a faster twist will be more explosive. If your shooting paper, the 14 twist would be the way to go. I have an AR with a 24" 1-8 barrel that puts 5 40Vmax into 3/8", so it's not like the light bullets won't shoot in a fast twist barrel. I have an L461 14 twist, two L46's that seem closer to 15-16 twist and a Howa Mini that seems slower than 14 also when using a cleaning rod, and the 14 shoots by far the best.
I have, an awesome shooting, 1981 Model, Rem 700 medium barrel, "Sporter", in .22-250 Rem that, IS very accurate with, 50 - 52 grain BT's or, 55 gr. Flat Base Bullets ( Yup, a 1-14 Twist ) and I can hardly wait, until it's "shot out", so that, I can replace it with, a 1-9 or, 1-8 Twist barrel !
It WON'T shoot, the HIGHER BC, 53 V-Maxes or, 55 NBT's worth,.. a "chit" as they are, too LONG and won't,.. "stabilize" And , it gets WORSE, in COLD Weather !
It WON'T shoot, the HIGHER BC, 53 V-Maxes or, 55 NBT's worth,.. a "chit" as they are, too LONG and won't,.. "stabilize" And , it gets WORSE, in COLD Weather !
JohnHenry
Gold $$ Contributor
Some info. ref. heavy bullets(69 gr) in a 222.
Powder ? Heavy bullets .222
Hi what powder would you use for 69gr Sierra tipped match kings In the .222 rem , I know I am restricted on powder capacity but just want to try it 😀👠24in barrel (1in9 twist) The gun is used as my truck gun (200 yards max) I will be using 55gr blitz kings but have picked up a few boxes...
forum.accurateshooter.com
How many 52-55gr bullets do you have?
I would consider going with a 14 twist
And swap the 55's for 50-52's.
Or go with a 12 twist and shoot the 52-55's.
I just built a 222 and went with a 14.
Cause I like shooting bugholes.
And it does.
Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas. I have lots to consider and ponder as I make my decision. I appreciate the thoughtful posts. The knowledge on this forum is amazing.
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