yet another 223 AI question

[kells81]

I have a Rem short action small bolt face that I think I wanna do a switch barrel project.

I have had tons of 223 rigs that would push 69-80grns through a 1x8, 1x9 twist barrel.

Just want to know what the best twist for what I am wanting to do is.

I want a 223 AI barrel but not sure if I should go with the 1x9 barrel choice or 1x12, 1x14,

Gun would be used for paper targets, yotes 300yds and below, and 500 yds and below on the range, occasional squarril,

 

[trappst]

Limited experience with a 1:14 twist AI myself, but for what you want to do I'd stick with the faster twists. The twist rate you run will depend on the bullet styles that you want to use. Since you added the 500 yard marker, I would think you'd want to use a heavier, higher BC VLD or similar. A 1:9 twist should serve you well but a 1:8 may be in order if you want to shoot the 80g+ VLD bullets.

Lighter stuff will work fine but you may encounter some velocity loss due to the faster twist. Depending on how the barrel is throated, you may run into issues with either reaching the lands with short bullets or having too much bullet in the case with the longer ones.

For what it's worth, I shoot mainly 40 and 50g Noslers in AI loads but I fireform with 60g Sierras and they shoot very well.

 

[stacy]

I HAVE 2 223 ACKLEY'S 1/7 AND A 1/12 AND THE 1/7 GET USED MORE AND MORE BUT ON THE OTHER HAND THE 12 TWIST DOES VERY WELL WITH THOSE 53 GR VMAX ON VARMINTS SHOOT 80'S AND 90'S IN THE 1/7

 

[varmintshooter]

I have a barrel that is supposed to be 1 in 9 but is more like 1in 9.5 and it wont shot 75 amax but does good with lighter bullets. I also have a 1 in 8 and am getting very good results shooting 75 gr amax and 53 vmax. A couple weeks ago I had 3 one shot kills on ghogs @ 520, 560 and 594 yds with the 8 twist shooting the 75's @ 3030 fps. I never tried the 80's. BTW both are 24".

 

[.222 ND]

I Shoot 69 tmk’s with benchmark at 3270 with a 26” 1in9. In my humble opinion 70 grain bullets in the 224 caliber provides the optimum balance of speed and ballistic coefficient. The way I figure, I’m not shooting past 600 yards much with a fast 224 caliber, so anything heavier than 70 grains gives up to much drop. This is purely from a coyote shooters point of view. Target shooters with a less dynamic and more static target might have a completely different point of view.

 

[B23]

If you plan on shooting the heavies you're going to want at least a 8tw barrel. My 223 AI has a 22in Hart 1-9 and pretty much all I shoot in it is the 53gr Vmax. I always shoot it suppressed and it's been one of my favorite coyote guns. My dad, who is now in his late 70's, dropped a coyote with it at 408 yards a couple winters ago. It dropped so freakin fast I honestly thought he missed it so I trekked out through the snow to confirm.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I have a Rem short action small bolt face that I think I wanna do a switch barrel project.

I have had tons of 223 rigs that would push 69-80grns through a 1x8, 1x9 twist barrel.

Just want to know what the best twist for what I am wanting to do is.

I want a 223 AI barrel but not sure if I should go with the 1x9 barrel choice or 1x12, 1x14,

Gun would be used for paper targets, yotes 300yds and below, and 500 yds and below on the range, occasional squarril,

- I personally like a 1-8 twist in .223 A.I. - the 26" Benchmark I shoot does well with 60-80 gr. bullets. - I haven't tried lighter ones, I like the 64 gr. Berger FB & IMR-8208.