.223 rem twist rate decision

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schultzie

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Good afternoon,

I am looking for a .223 rem bolt action rifle and my research has brought me to a Vanguard S2 (I have an S1 in 308 and love it) or a Savage Model 25 walking varminter.

I've held and looked at both rifles. Like them both. Price point is within $10. The only major difference for me, is the S2 is a 1 in 12 twist and the M25 is 1 in 9. I understand the 1 in 9 will be better for heavier (heavier then 55grain) bullets. I intend to use the rifle for paper punching, gophers and coyotes.

My question is do I need the 1 in 9? Or is it a difference I wouldn't notice? I plan on using 40gr and 55gr Noslers for the most part.

What do you think?

Thanks,

Karl
 
1:12 will be fine for 50 and 55's... but so is the 1:9... and the 1:9 will stabilize up to 68's... I can't think of one good reason not to get the 1:9 right from the start... I switched out my two 1:12 .223's for 1:9's plus got a custom 1:8 for the 70+ grainers... I feel it was a good decision after a few years of shooting them.
 
schultzie said:
Good afternoon,



My question is do I need the 1 in 9? Or is it a difference I wouldn't notice? I plan on using 40gr and 55gr Noslers for the most part.
Click to expand...


A 12 twist would be perfect for what you want... you could use vld 55's with no problem.
Shilen's website:
- 12" for bullets up to 63 gr.
- 14" for bullets up to 55 gr.
 
When I switched over from 1:12's to 1:9's... I tested 55/60/68's out of both... They both shot 55's well, the 1:12 started to open up with 60's and would not group with 68's... The 1:9 kept going strong... What I have not done is try the 1:9's with 40-50 grainers to see if they spin out of group with the tighter twist... Not that it matter's... I only shoot them that light outta the K-Hornets... And they are 1:12.
 
Just a couple notes on the 25. I used one for a year, mostly offhand on paper. I found it a bit heavy when used like this. And the 4-round mags were limiting when dealing with 5-shot strings.
Also, I ordered two extra mags from Savage, which bowed the sides fairly quickly and wouldn't feed rounds. Savage did replace them, though and all was good when I sold it. They're just not particularly stout polymer mags.
The trigger group breaks down easily, and with polishing and the typical Accutrigger spring clipping, you can take the pull weight down to about 2lbs reliably. Trying to go beyond that will result in failure to reset, which in another rifle might actually be a slam fire.

I replaced it with an X-Bolt, which I preferred over the Vanguard S2.
 
1 in 9... in my MR-1 77 gr Lapua is my most accurate load and WWB 45 HP are very precise in it to, so versatility is what 1 in 9 is... JP.
 
I would say get the faster twist but in this case I would get the 1-12" that the vanguard offered. It's a better platform over all. I'd try the 50gr hornady vmax or the 52gr Amax over benchmark.
 
I specifically shoot 40 and 50 grain pills. Handloads and either Noslers or Hornady vmax's. For me, I seek out the 1:12 barrels. The accuracy is fantstic for me and the little gopher heads I explode.

That is my preference and 2 cents.
 
I would say 1:12 That is what the 223 was designed for. When I worked at a gun store I sold a lot of Savages with 1:9 twist Invariably they would complain about the groups because they wanted to use 40 gr bullets on gophers. I to;d them to go 60 gr plus in bullet weight and they were pleased with those results. If you are satisfied with using 40-55 gr bullets the I;12 will give better results.
Neil
 
I in 9 in my FNH TSR XP 223, i find that 55 gr are at home in that twist, Amax 55 gr is very accurate in the 9... JP.
 
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