.223 with 9 twist and 50 to 55 grain bullets

[AckleymanII]

I built a custom 22 PPC built on a 9 twist, and a custom AR15 built for shooting a benchrest matches during the 1980's as there was a prize for anyone that could shoot a AR that could agg .250.

I could agg .289 with the ar with the 9 twist, leupold 36x, 28" MHV, 9T hart, 52 Fowlers, T 32 powder, heavy freefloating forearm, with Al Block attached to help track on the bags, #9 shot in the butt.

I had much time in with 22 PPC's at that time, all 14T Benchrest rigs, and heavy varmint rifles all 14T.

I also had many custom 223's, Hart 14T, zero freebore.

I noticed that the tune window on powder charges to be very small, and very picky with the 9T. I could get the 22 PPC to shoot very small groups with the 9T, and the freebore was set up for a 52g bullet.

For most factory 9T barrels, you also have very long leades to contend with, this is NOT in your favor, most never even give it a second thought, this long leade is HUGE when it comes to accuracy.

 

[msinc]

I was always taught and always read that you want the slowest twist that will still stabilize the bullet you are shooting for the best groups. It has pretty much worked out that way for me, but....I have seen light bullets shoot just fine in a faster twist. many shooters report the same results. I have a 1-in-9 twist that shoots 64 grain bullets better than it does 69 grain match kings. The 64 's are just about in the same hole, the 69's will do about 1 inch. But I think a lot depends on the bullet. 55 grain Hornady FMJ's {trying to be fur friendly} look like buckshot on the target and so do 60 grain Nosler Partitions out of any 223 I have. I have never been able to get any caliber Partition bullet at any weight to shoot an acceptable group out of any rifle I have ever had.

 

[stacy]

I HAVE ONE OF THE OLD MODEL 110 TACTICAL 223 1/9 THIS THING LOVES H-4895 AND 50GR V-MAXS SHOOTS 68GR BTHP MATCH WELL ALSO !!!!!

 

[JAlfred]

Don't know about the ultralights, but 50 and 55 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips shoot well from my 1/9 bolt action. X-Terminator does well with both bullets. Accuracy with the 55 is around 0.5", with the 50 gr NBT its closer to 0.7 but that is with no work up, just using same powder charge as the 55.

 

[hoz53]

I went to Sportsmans' Warehouse and bought the American Eagle 50 grain 223GTV, Fusion 62 grain and a box of Hornady 60 grain to reload. Will go to the range on Tuesday and report.

I think 12 twist would be optimum for 55 grain bullets. I think your results with them in a 9 twist would depend alot on how gyroscopically perfect your bullets are. In other words you can probably find some 55gr or close bullets that will shoot well in your 9 twist it just might take a little more looking. Just dont think those cheap canellured 55s will shoot real good in anything.

 

[GrocMax]

Varminting a little faster twist (spin rate) increases splat factor, but it also lets you know barrel needs scrubbing (grey mist in scope) faster.

22 cal 40's out of a 9tw at 4200 have some serious splat factor.

 

[Longtrain]

Years back I had a Savage 223 with a 1:9 twist. Used 35 grainers to shoot bowling pins at 300 yards, practicing for chucks. Lots of dead pins, etc....1:9 worked fine. Think I loaded them around 3600 fps, got there in a hurry.

 

[284winner]

Got my rifle back from Savage today. They only shot Federal 77 grain loads in it and said it shot .8". Why should I be forced to shoot 77 grain bullets it?

My savage 112 bvss has 9 twist and shoots Nosler 50 BT very well. 26 grains of H335 and it shoots one hole. Not the hottest load but very good accuracy. Not that it helps your situation but give that load a shot. Works in all my 223 guns including my ARs

 

[Jammer Six]

"Most conventional jacketed bullets are of light construction for varmint hunting. When fired at 3,200 FPS in a 1-in-7 inch twist barrel, the bullet is rotating at nearly 330,000 rpm when it leaves the muzzle. This rotational speed is more than most varmint bullets can withstand so they are literally ripped apart as they leave the barrel. This phenomenon will not damage the firearm, but few bullets will reach the target intact."

and

"Research before you buy; if you want to use conventional varmint bullets to their full potential, avoid the fast twist models."

and

"The 62 grain FMJ-BT is not properly stabilized by 12-inch twist barrels, and should be restricted to rifles with 10-inch or faster rifling twists.

Speer Reloading Manual #14. Lewiston, ID: Speer Bullets, 2007.
page 196

 

[wapiti25]

Buy good bullets and shoot them in a top quality barrel (note: top quality not factory).

 

[Fotheringill]

Jammer Six got it right AFAIAC.
1:7 Savage .223 F/TR

55 or less grain bullets, whether Sierra, Berger or other mostly don't even hit a 30"x 36" board at 100 yards. It ain't me, the load, the neck tension, seating depth or anything else involving human intervention.

 

[284winner]

Centershot is asking about specifically a 9 twist barrel. My experience is yes they will work. Mine shoots 50-69 grain bullets well. I wouldn't expect to get anything good with a 35 grain bullet in a 9 twist barrel. I've been wrong before but seems light

 

[jpx2rk]

I get decent (< 1") groups with 40-50gr factory ammo in a Savage FV12, 26" 9 twist factory barrel. Have not tried any hand loads yet. Doesn't seem to like the 62gr factory stuff I tried

 

[gene10pntr]

Most .223s with that twist will shoot that grn just fine. Beings how you reload my opinion is play around and find the bullet and load you're rifle likes best. As stated a lot of them like the 69grn SMKs and some better with smaller grain bullets. I know Berger is a great bullet,but my rifle doesn't like them at all no matter what powder and bullet I've tried...by that I mean I'm not killing flies at 100yrds. Good luck with you're decisions!

 

[LARRY TAYLOR]

I had a Savage BVSS .223 9twist. It shot 40 and 50 grainers for p dogs very good.
Also shot 69 grain green box match between .25 and .60 with no serious tuning.

 

[284winner]

I had a Savage BVSS .223 9twist. It shot 40 and 50 grainers for p dogs very good.
Also shot 69 grain green box match between .25 and .60 with no serious tuning.

Ya mine shot 40 gr federal premium smks pretty well. Never had a desire to go lighter. 50-60 grain nosler BTs shoot the very best in my particular gun. That 9 twist is a real versatile barrel. Hard to beat. Just can't go beyond the 69s with any dependability

 

[squirrelshooter]

I have a Savage Model 12 VLP 26" Barrel, 1:9 twist. Shooting Nosler 55 gn. Ballistic Tip Varmint with 24.3 gn. Varget, LC brass, CCI 450 primers= <.50" at 100 yrds. We shoot 3" steel at 230 and 300 yards and are at about 75% on our hits. I do not think you would have a problem using 55 gn. bullets. 69 gn Sierra TMK also shoot just fine. Shooting off of a bench with bipod and rear sand bag.

 

[spinconn]

I have a Savage 12 VLP .223 9' twist and it shoots the Sierra MatchKing 53g HP and 69g BTHP best, and shoots them equally well, from .25 to .50 at 100yds. It does not like Hornady 55g V Max or 75g A Max bullets so far. Weight seems to matter less to mine than brand in this case.