I'm thinking of rebarreling my Model 10 Predator Hunter .223 with a Shilen Select Match barrel and was wondering how light of a bullet a 1-8 twist should be able to shoot. I realize it should do well with 75gr bullets and possibly heavier, but I'm wondering about lite bullets in case I ever move South and want to use it for gophers. Thanks in advance.
Bullet weight range for 1-8 twist .223
- Thread starter KDX
- Start date
I am building a 45gn nosler ballistic tip load. So far no projectile explosions.
I also shoot 82gn bergers and 80gn SMK's. No keyholes. Although I am at 4000ft elevation so things are a little easier to stabilize.
I also shoot 82gn bergers and 80gn SMK's. No keyholes. Although I am at 4000ft elevation so things are a little easier to stabilize.
My 1-8 twist T3 Lite does very well with 50 grain VMax. A riot on gophers. I didn't expect it to do so well in the 1-8 twist rate, but I had some leftover 50 grain VMax from another rifle and figured what the hell I'll give it a try. Might work for you too.
A quick twist like the 1-8" works well with heavier [read longer] bullets, and will also work great with good quality lighter bullets, like the V-max, Ballistic Tip, etc.
A light, poorer quality or some bulk bullets may not shoot as well due to inherent imbalance
or irregularities in the bullet which are exacerbated by the high rotational RPM.
Additionally, some very fragile bullets may explode from the high RPM once they leave the barrel, due to very thin jacket construction.
Regards, Eagleye.
A light, poorer quality or some bulk bullets may not shoot as well due to inherent imbalance
or irregularities in the bullet which are exacerbated by the high rotational RPM.
Additionally, some very fragile bullets may explode from the high RPM once they leave the barrel, due to very thin jacket construction.
Regards, Eagleye.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I had a triple deuce with a 1:7 Gaillard and the only bullets I couldn't use where the ones with very thin jackets designed to expand at Hornet velocities like the Hornady SX and the Sierra Blitz. For every 10 rounds sent down range, probably 3 blew up in the air. Accuracy was never an issue with light bullets, and the 52 gr MK was my favorite. Fast twists don't seem to raise any problems that I can tell, although I suppose there's more spin drift at long range, but a slow twist certainly reduces the variety of bullets you can use.
You can shoot 80 gr Sierra match kings, for good accuracy and greatly reduced wind drift. i have shot these to 1000 yards with very good results. Best powders for me have been RL15, N140 and N150.
For blowing up golphers, the Sierra 60 gr HP is very accurate and still handles wind better than the lighter bullets.
For blowing up golphers, the Sierra 60 gr HP is very accurate and still handles wind better than the lighter bullets.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Cater to the 75 and 80gr bullets. Yes, you can go lighter but the heavies are so much nicer to shoot at any distance when it comes to wind... and you will see plenty of that.
At 200yds, they make veggies go bye bye quite "elegantly"
Now you have 1 bullet, 1 load and the ability to reach anything you can see.
Including the barking kind...
Jerry
At 200yds, they make veggies go bye bye quite "elegantly"
Now you have 1 bullet, 1 load and the ability to reach anything you can see.
Including the barking kind...
Jerry
- Location
- Peace River, Alberta
I was just shooting 40 gr BT's out of my Tikka Tactical 1-8" twist tonight. I have shot 80 gr out of it as well with no issues. I wouldn't hesitate to go with that wits rate in a custom.
Greg
Greg
