Twist and Bullet Choice for Accuracy in a Triple Deuce

[South Pender]

I'm getting set up to load some .222 Rem. rounds for my new triple deuce. Surprisingly, the twist seems to be 1 in 10" by my measurement. This seems faster than I'd expected when I purchased the rifle; I had expected the more-common 1 in 12". In any case, I'm wondering whether I should be looking at slightly heavier .224 bullets, like 60-grainers or even heavier for maximal accuracy, rather than the more-usual 52- and 55-gr. match bullets.

Has anyone here experience with a 1-10" .222 Rem.?

 

[Mark M.]

Faster twist and heavier bullets dosen't always mean better accuracy, what do you want to use the rifle for? Triple deuce is a very inherently accurate cartridge, I would match the bullet with the intended purpose and go from there

 

[B23]

You didn't say what you were going to be shooting with this project but the 53gr Sierra MK's are a bullet that always seem to shoot well and H322 is a powder that the triple deuce loves so if you can get your hands on those that would be a great starting point.

 

[Tommie]

Faster twist and heavier bullets dosen't always mean better accuracy, what do you want to use the rifle for? Triple deuce is a very inherently accurate cartridge, I would match the bullet with the intended purpose and go from there

This

 

[457ciSBC]

Both of my vintage 222‘s have slower twist tubes. However, find some 4198 powder and the Speer #1035 (52 grain fbhp) and have at it.This combo is tough to beat.

 

[skeeljc]

1 in 10 is an odd twist for a .222 Remington. Most 52 grain match bullets like BiBs like 1 in 12 or 1 in 13.

1 in 8 works well with 75 grain match HPBT. There are not many 55-60 grain match bullets out there.

 

[drover]

Both of my vintage 222‘s have slower twist tubes. However, find some 4198 powder and the Speer #1035 (52 grain fbhp) and have at it.This combo is tough to beat.

This is where I would start. I have a 222 with 10 twist and it likes this Sierra 52 gr just fine - not benchrest competitive accurate but it can be counted on to put 5 shots into 1/2" at 100 yds.

drover

 

[charlesasmith]

+1 for Mark McMahon's post. 1 in 10 is a strange twist for the .222. It would allow for using the 53 grain longer shank high BC varmint bullets. Not heard of successful accuracy using heavier bullets in the 222..

Chuck

 

[LHSmith]

I'm getting set up to load some .222 Rem. rounds for my new triple deuce. Surprisingly, the twist seems to be 1 in 10" by my measurement. This seems faster than I'd expected when I purchased the rifle; I had expected the more-common 1 in 12".

Actually the most common .222 twist rate is 1/14. Lilja lists optimum bullet weight for a 10 twist is 68-69 gr. I'd double check the twist rate. The heaviest bullets listed in my manuals ( they all tested with 1/14 twists) - Speer, Nosler, Berger-all max at 55 gr. , Hornady at 60 gr., and a Sierra 65 gr. SBT which by notation requires a 1/10 or faster twist. Hopefully it works fine for your intended use.

 

[searcher]

A good rule of thumb for varmint hunting is to use the lightest bullet that will reach out effectively to the distance you want to shoot at. Any more, and you have additional recoil that will take you off your sight picture at recoil (unless you have a nice brake). Also, the bigger the critter, the bigger the bullet. If you were to shoot gophers within 300 yards, I'd go with 40 grains. If shooting coyotes at 500, I'd go with a 55 Blitz King or a 53 V-Max. If shooting both within 400 yards, I'd use a 50 Varmint Grenade. Anything past 500, I'd shoot the heaviest bullet your gun will shoot accurately, maybe as high as a 69 with your twist (?). The problem is there are few varmint bullets over 55 grains that have a BC any better than the 55 Blitz King and 53 V-Max bullets. Also - the heavier ones like the 69's don't open up so well on varmints at closer ranges - and even less at the extended ranges. I'd approach it from intended use. Good Luck

 

[centershot]

Berger Bullets come in all kinds of weights for match bullets. Check them out.

 

[JSH]

40 grain BK and a dose of 4198, peas and carrots.
I tried some various 50,52,53 grain bullets. Then some 45 grain. Not what I desired and went back to the 40’s.

 

[SmokinJoe]

searcher's approach to this is spot on.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Back in the 90s when I first started shooting formal bench rest I had a .222 M70 Stealth. I installED a 2oz Jewell on it and did nothing else to it. This was pre 30 br of course. I started attending some club shoots and did well. Then I started going to some IBS score shoots. I was always the only factory gun . Shooting pretty much against 6PPCs I was never last. Usually ending up about the top of the bottem third. As per the factory hang tag on the rifle when I bought it...16 twist. I used 50 gr Ballistic tips. I have never seen another .222 or .223 in a 16 twist. Worked for me till I bought my first 6PPC.

 

[50CalBob]

I had a Stevens 200 SA blueprinted, custom bolt, and barreled with a Shilen 26"1:14 Bull barrel (with Witt Machine muzzle brake) using a custom ground 0.250" recoil lug in a custom stock glass bedded and mercury recoil reducer. I put a Leupold VX3 LR 6.5 - 20 x 50 on it with Leupold rings. Handloads with Sierra 52 gr HPBT MKs, custom seat depth for chamber, Nosler brass, Federal GM205M primers and 24.6 grs of IMR 4895 (10 round chrono AVG 3261.243 fps / SD 6.329). Images show results (using bipod, not a rifle rest) at 100 yards (20 rounds) and 300 yards (shots 1 & 2 - adjusted scope - shot 3 - adjusted scope - shots 4 & 5). TCGC ranges. Mine shoots 40g to 53g bullets great. I have only found 1 specific load with one bullet at 55g (H335 & Nosler BTBT) that did not keyhole. Supposedly you can shoot up to 55g with a 1:14 but all my best were 53g and less with the 52 Sierra HPBT MK being the utmost best. About to test some with the meplat and hollow points uniformed. Building a new one soon and thinking of possibly going to 1:13.

 

[JSH]

Since this got bumped back up, I shot all the 40’s and tried some 36 grain Barnes, good accuracy and a bit more speed.

 

[KMart]

Back in the 90s when I first started shooting formal bench rest I had a .222 M70 Stealth. I installED a 2oz Jewell on it and did nothing else to it. This was pre 30 br of course. I started attending some club shoots and did well. Then I started going to some IBS score shoots. I was always the only factory gun . Shooting pretty much against 6PPCs I was never last. Usually ending up about the top of the bottem third. As per the factory hang tag on the rifle when I bought it...16 twist. I used 50 gr Ballistic tips. I have never seen another .222 or .223 in a 16 twist. Worked for me till I bought my first 6PPC.

A high school class mate of mine had a 50's era Sako in 222. I loaded for it once and checked the twist and it was a 16. A 55 fb would stabilize but the bt wouldn't.

 

[Steve morgan]

I'm getting set up to load some .222 Rem. rounds for my new triple deuce. Surprisingly, the twist seems to be 1 in 10" by my measurement. This seems faster than I'd expected when I purchased the rifle; I had expected the more-common 1 in 12". In any case, I'm wondering whether I should be looking at slightly heavier .224 bullets, like 60-grainers or even heavier for maximal accuracy, rather than the more-usual 52- and 55-gr. match bullets.

Has anyone here experience with a 1-10" .222 Rem.?

My 222 likes 52 berger & n133 alot.

 

[Kea]

Sierra do a very nice 65grn soft point which will run nicely in a 1:10. If your rifle is 'new' you can run the pressure up a bit.

 

[JEFFPPC]

A high school class mate of mine had a 50's era Sako in 222. I loaded for it once and checked the twist and it was a 16. A 55 fb would stabilize but the bt wouldn't.

Thanks for the info, I did not know Sako had a 16 twist.