.223 1 in 8 twist for lighter bullets

[Jacks Grampa]

Wondering how light I can go and still good accuracy. Thanks, James

 

[RichMoAK]

After developing a load, I've gotten 50 grn pills to group at 100yrd out of a factory Savage 1:7.

 

[Jacks Grampa]

I've been loading 55gr. but the heaviest I can find now is 52gr.

 

[magicman]

I have a Rem 700 with 9 twist, I have shot 50gr with no trouble. I think you will be fine.

 

[K22]

I have two 8" twist 223's. Most of my experience with the 223 is with 12" twist rifles so I'm relatively new, about 2 years into the 8" twist world. It seems that everyone wants to shoot heavy bullets in the 223 these days. I don't know any factory rifles being made today with 12" twist. Apparently the day of the 200 to 250 yard varmint / predator hunter is over and the day of the 400 yard hunter is taking over. I can't even see that far let alone hit a ground hog at that distance nor do I see many if any shot opportunities at those kinds of distances. Oh well, so much for venting - life is all about change. But back to your question:

I was able to get my 8" twist rifles to shoot 55 grain Nosler BT's fairly accurately, in the 1/2 moa range but I had to lower the powder charge about 1 grain from that which I use in my 12" twist rifles. I'm running them at about 2,900 f/s. The trajectory has more arc than I like and since I don't have a scope with reliable dial up capability so I'm limited to hold over methods with hunting which isn't optimum.

The 60 Vmax's shot extremely well in both my 8" twist rifles. Perhaps due to the long shank on these flat base bullets giving the bullet a longer affect which may be more suitable for the faster twist. I was able to shoot consistent sub 1/2" groups with these bullets - an amazing feat for me because I don't shoot off the bench very often. Most of my range time is spent in practical shooting drills with my shooting sticks because that's the way I hunt.

I have one 9" twist 223 that shoots the 55'a very well. That little increase in twist seems to have a dramatic affect on this lighter 55 grain bullet or maybe it's just something unique about that rifle. Anyway, my 9" twist 223 shoots the 55's as good as the 12" rifles.

PS: The above begs the question, if you're not crazy about 8" twist 223's then why did you buy two of them?

Answer: Because I love Tikka's and the 223 Rem and that is the only twist rate I could get. My Tikka Varmint model is a amazingly accurate rifle.

 

[Rsadams]

I have shot 50s in my 1/7 no problem...

 

[shoot4fun]

Lot's of 40's downrange with both 7 & 8 twist barrels. Prairie dogs hate the accuracy.
They shoot better than most of the 55 gr stuff.

 

[Rsadams]

Lot's of 40's downrange with both 7 & 8 twist barrels. Prairie dogs hate the accuracy.
They shoot better than most of the 55 gr stuff.

No doubt the 50grain tipped bullets fly better than the 55s in my 1/7... Not sure about long range but 100 and under iron sights there like a laser....

 

[Longtrain]

Shooting XTC, I shot 52 SMK’s in Service Rifle, Standing SF and Sitting Rapid at 200 Yards in both 1:8 and 1:7 barrels, both hammered just fine.

 

[MGYSGT]

Use to shoot 40 f Hornady and Serria for PD's in an 8 twist 223. Very good terminal damage. I tried the small Speer TNT in a 22-250. They blew up on the way to the target. Need to slow them down

 

[B23]

The 52 & 53 gr Sierra SMK's are a pretty tough bullet and I've never heard of anyone every blowing one up. I've shot 40gr Nosler BT's in my 7tw AR with never a problem. My "go to" bullet in my 223AI is the 53gr VMax and they shoot extremely well but that has a 9tw.

 

[dakor]

We Shoot 40 gr vmax out of a 8 twist and a 7.5 twist with 1/2 MOA or better accuracy.

 

[M-61]

The other was around is where the problems lie. Heavy bullet slow twist=nightmare.
At some point, I guess, there will be a combination of a really quick twist and a light bullet that causes (maybe due to jacket construction) were all you'll see is a 'puff' as the bullet flies apart. I know if you do the math the RPM's of a bullet are a crazy number.

 

[B23]

Generally, it's the long heavy for caliber bullets at high RPM that have more of an issue with self destruction than does the fly weights.

 

[DGP4]

After a lot of testing in my Ruger American, the lowest I can go with good accuracy is either 52 grain SMKs or 52 grain Speer Varmint bullets. That is with Ramshot TAC and Varget. H335 did not work. So far the best load in my RAR is 24.5 gr TAC for the Speer and 26 gr TAC for the SMK.

 

[jelenko]

My understanding is that faster twist rate per se won't impact accuracy [at least at non benchrest levels]. There is a potential problem with bullets with high velocity. Somewhere in the upper 200,000 revs per minute, bullet can begin to come apart, which is not going to be good for accuracy.
The tendency to come apart is influenced by heating from friction, roughness of the throat an rate of heat transfer to the bullet lead core.
If you see gray 'poofs' down range or seem to missing hits with good calls, it could be the bullets coming apart.

FYI: Bullet RPM = Muzzle velocityX720/Barrel twist rate

 

[Walt Krafft]

I've been loading 55gr. but the heaviest I can find now is 52gr.

If your 52 is the Sierra Matchking, shoot away. I have shot thousands of them through 7 and 8 twist barrels with great accuracy at 100 and 200 yards.

 

[JimSC]

Wondering how light I can go and still good accuracy. Thanks, James

I guess it depends on how accurate you need and what your barrel is set up for. My 1-8 Criterion will shoot 52 grain Hornady's sub MOA all day long but if I want to get consistently .5 and below I need to use 77 or 80 gn bullets.

 

[boltfluter]

40 grain V-max at 3750 is like lightning on coyotes. Groups just under .5 at 100 yds. As good a group as I can shoot in the dirt with a bipod.

Paul

 

[lotech]

No firm rules on any of this. You have to try them in your rifle. I've seen very good accuracy using 55 grain bullets in a 1 in 7" twist, but can't remember if I've tried any 50 grain bullets without looking up old notes. As for bullets lighter than 50 grains in .22s, I can't see any real usefulness for these except in a .22 Hornet. Unless they show incredible accuracy, there's little point to them except in the .22 Hornet or similar cartridges with small capacities. The light .22 bullets generally have poor ballistic coefficients and can be greatly affected by wind at any distance.

Opinions vary. If you have a real use for light bullets, use them.