223 new barrel

[mattt]

I have a savage 12f/tr with a 7 twist 30" factory barrel.Looking at rebarreling it and would like advice. I shoot f/tr matches with it.Would there be an advantage of going with a 6.5 twist and a 32" or should I do a 32" with 7 twist.

 

[FroggyOne2]

What bullet are wanting to shoot? You will be fine with a 7 twist, there is no need to for a twist slower than that. 30 inch is optimum, go longer and the bullet will begin to slow back down.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Froggy, Laurie, and Jerry all have the same information... The velocity peaks around 28-30" with a 90 grain bullet. All of them shy away from the 6.5 twist barrel too. Considering the success they have had, I'd stick with their recipies.

 

[Taildrag15X]

The only advantage of going with a 32" length would be that you could cut it back a couple of times before the lands are gone.....I went with a 28" 1-7" barrel for F/TR shooting Berger 90 VLDs,they work fine so I really can't see the need for 1-6.5" in a bolt gun, unless they come out with say 98-100gr bullet....then I'll be in line to give that a go.

 

[cmillard]

1-7" is the way to go. the only thing you would need a 6.5" for would be service rifle shooting 90s at 1000 yards. as said before, if heavier than 90s were available then 6.5 would be appropriate. when are we going to get these bullets? those would be needles!

 

[mattt]

Ok I am sold on staying with the 1 in 7 .I plan on ordering a new bartlein but is the 30" the way to go over a 32". I had a 30" sav 308 and my new Bartlien 32" shoots better.

 

[flatlander]

Since you mentioned Bartlein....they'll cut you any twist your heart desires. While I've got a few 1:7tw 223 bbls., I can see no need to go with quite that tight a twist, when a 7.2, 7.4, or even 7.5tw will stabilize 90 VLDs in my experience.

I'd still go with a 30" bbl. for a 223. If you're considering setting the bbl. back after the throat shows some wear, then ask for a longer shank, as the std. shank on Bartlein or Krieger Palma bbls. is pretty short to allow for a set-back. Setting a 30" bbl. back to 28" makes more sense to me than paying an extra $20 for a 32" that's still got a shank too short to allow the setback to begin with.

 

[FroggyOne2]

Dennis,

That's good advice!