.223 Best All Around Twist Rate

[David_M]

Hey guys, I am looking into buying a .223 bolt action, and am trying to figure out what rate of twist i should get, I want this gun to be very accurate, so what twist rate is best all around for different grain .223 bullets?

 

[hoytcanon]

8 or 9 twist will give you the best results for bullets ranging from 45-70 grains... heavier than 70-75, you might want to consider a 7 twist.

 

[Salty]

I have a 9 twist that shoots 75 gr bullets well but have heard of others that don't and they need to move down to lighter bullets. If you want to shoot long range the heavier bullets are the answer to hold the wind decently if you're shooting within say 300 yards 40s or 50s will do fine. 9 twist seems to be kind of the border line where 8 or even 7 twist is a given for heavy bullets, 10 and more twist you won't be shooting lighter bullets only well.

 

[David_M]

I am planning on shooting it out to about 600 yards, so an 8 twist?

 

[1ShotKing]

7 twist is only needed for the 90 grain bullets. An 8 twist will handle the rest, and a 9 will shoot up to 75 depending on the rifle.

 

[Silvertip13]

I am planning on shooting it out to about 600 yards, so an 8 twist?

It will shoot some ok, but it is over reving them by a long shot, fliers are common. Some light bullets won't group better than 2moa out of the 7 twists. I would go,with the9 and shoot up to 75's for out to 600. Ymmv

 

[David_M]

It will shoot some ok, but it is over reving them by a long shot, fliers are common. Some light bullets won't group better than 2moa out of the 7 twists. I would go,with the9 and shoot up to 75's for out to 600. Ymmv

Well everybody seems to like the eight and nine, so whats more accurate the 8 twist ruger american or the 9 twist axis in .223 if anyone has experience with these guns

 

[rembolt]

I have a 9 twist that shoots 40 to 60 gr sub moa .played with some 75s and got down to about 1 1/4" group at 100 yds . the 60ge v max shoots so well I kind of put the 75s to the side .I only use the rifle for coyotes so have never shot it much past 200 yds .

 

[hoytcanon]

Don't count on shooting 75's from a 9 twist... some on this thread seem to have had some success, but I know of many who have not, including myself... you will be good with 68's and 70's with the 9 twist, but if you go heavier move to the 8 twist.

 

[David_M]

how do you think 70gr will work at 600 yards in 9 twist?

 

[tiriaq]

Well everybody seems to like the eight and nine, so whats more accurate the 8 twist ruger american or the 9 twist axis in .223 if anyone has experience with these guns

It will vary more from rifle to rifle. Either or both might be great, either or both might disappoint. Only way to know is to shoot them.

 

[legi0n]

70gr will work well
I have a Savage 11 1:9 twist and it's grouping sub-MOA with 75gr
This weekend I will confirm the load at the range and hopefully get good enough data to compute the G7 ballistic coefficient.

 

[tiriaq]

how do you think 70gr will work at 600 yards in 9 twist?

If the rifle is accurate, it will work well.

 

[hoytcanon]

how do you think 70gr will work at 600 yards in 9 twist?

The VLD's and 68 BTHP's will do alright, but at 600 yards, I would choose an 8 twist.

 

[David_M]

70gr will work well
I have a Savage 11 1:9 twist and it's grouping sub-MOA with 75gr
This weekend I will confirm the load at the range and hopefully get good enough data to compute the G7 ballistic coefficient.

Is the savage 11 a lot better than the axis, is it worth the extra money?

 

[David_M]

The VLD's and 68 BTHP's will do alright, but at 600 yards, I would choose an 8 twist.

Ok, I did see a video of a guy shooting a plate at 1400yrds with a .223 with an 8 twist, so I can see why an 8 twist would be preferred for longer ranges

 

[legi0n]

Is the savage 11 a lot better than the axis, is it worth the extra money?

see for yourself
(this is load development, the rifle is not zeroed)

 

[David_M]

It will vary more from rifle to rifle. Either or both might be great, either or both might disappoint. Only way to know is to shoot them.

Yea, i did some research on the rifles, and read reviews since I probably won't be able to shoot them and both seem pretty accurate

 

[David_M]

see for yourself
(this is load development, the rifle is not zeroed)

Damn that thing is accurate, good shooting, guess it's worth the extra money since most groups are far under MOA, or maybe I can find a good used one like my buddy did, he has a .243 model 11 and it is very accurate as well. Have you had any problems with yours?

 

[legi0n]

Damn that thing is accurate, good shooting, guess it's worth the extra money since most groups are far under MOA, or maybe I can find a good used one like my buddy did, he has a .243 model 11 and it is very accurate as well. Have you had any problems with yours?

not a problem so far
I'm waiting for one less rainy day to confirm the best load (I'm hoping to stay under 3/4 MOA for headshots on hares)