twist rate question

[GSRswapandslow]

i'm needing to rebarrel my 223ai....and am considering doing a rem/age setup. I don't really want to wait for the smith to get it situated, so, this is my quickest option.

i ONLY use this gun up to 400yds, with 95% being 100-200 from the bench. I shoot prone at 200 and 400, but that's only when I feel like driving to the tree farm.

My first thought was to go with a CBI from Northland, he's got a fantastic reputation...and the barrels seem to shoot good for a lot of folks. The site says they offer as fast as 1:7 and as slow as 1:12. I had originally wanted to get a 1:14....but, if they don't offer it...i guess it ain't happening.

So........would 1:12 get it done for me? I have a few thousand 50gr z/v-max's...thousand or so 53gr smk's...few hundred 40gr v-max's, thousand 55gr fmj's, and 500 50gr sp's. I don't plan on buying anymore bullets for this rifle until those are all gone.

If i do go with a blank...would a 1:14 benefit me? My smith did buy a 0" freebore reamer when he did my current barrel (1:9...just won't shoot, factory barrel re-chambered) and if I went with a blank.

 

[jonbearman]

I dont see anything wrong with a 1in12 at all. It would be beneficial if for some reason you change your mind and wanted to shoot something alittle heavier. That would be my choice first and a 1in9 second.

 

[Larryh128]

+1 on 1-12. It will work good on 50-55 gr bullets. That's what my 223 AI is & it's lights out with 55 gr bullets. If I was shooting any heavies , I would use a 1-8.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

Ok, good deal. Just wasn't sure it's hurt me when shooting the 40's or 50's with velocity loss. This rifle won't ever see the heavies though, I did have quite a few stocked up...planning a 1:8....but then figured, if I'm shooting farther than 400yds.....I have no reason to handicap myself with a 224.......it can/has/is done...but by much better shooters than myself lol

 

[Phil]

The 12 twist will work.....

 

[K22]

I have seven 223'a all with 12" twist and I'm completely satisfied with this twist - several of my rifles are sub 1/2 moa with 50 and 55 grain bullets. This works perfectly for me for varmint and predator hunting however most of my shots are under 250 yards.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I have become very partial to a 7.2 twist.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Some 55s (think green tips) will not stabilize in a 1n14. I now use 1n12's for all my varmit guns. Bullet length is a little longer on them thus the problem. A conversation with the Tech Line comfirmed my findings.

 

[Dvldawg]

Another vote for the 1 in 12 twist, that is what I have and I shoot the 40 gr. V-Max in my 223 Ackley, with sub 1/2" accuracy..

 

[tdoyka]

1 in 12" i think that will be best. i am going to use a 22 bench rest
on a 24" mgm barrel and 40 to 55 grains will be enough for what i plan to shoot.

 

[MrMajestic]

I have a CBI 8tw chambered in .223AI. I run the 80 grain A-Max with Varget in a Lapua case. I get 3050 fps MV and zero at 200 yards. 4.3 MOA come-up gets me on at 400 yards and the heavy A-Max bucks the wind very well. Longest, actually two, shots this year were 430 yards and fortunately one was far enough from it's burrow to not make it back. The issue I have is that expansion at much over 400 yards is reduced to the point were I get crawlers! I have some 50 grain BlitzKings for my Son's .223 Remington that I will try next season to see if I get better kills but realize I will probably be giving up some to the wind.
What bullet are you using on the 400 yarder's? ???

 

[CatShooter]

What bullet are you using on the 400 yarder's? ???

55 BlitzKings and 53 V-Maxs... they might not handle the wind like an 80, but they anchor them with a decent hit.