Im having a barrel custom made.....twist rate?

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Im have a barrel made for my T/C encore in 218 bee.

Im trying to decide what twist to go with 1/12 or 1/14 are the options. Ill probably be shooting 40-50gr bullets so Im thinking 1/12. Im also trying to decide on barrel length 22 or 24”.

What do ya think?
 
a 14 twist will stabilize a 50 grain bullet just fine and that is what I would use for a 218 Bee. Only if you think you might want to shoot heavier/longer bullets (and I don't see why you would, in a Bee) would you benefit from the faster twist.
 
Unless you plan on using long bullets over 50 grains in weight the 14 twist generally will be best. That being said the 12 twist will rotate all bullets faster and cause better performance in blowing varmints up... but the Bee is really meant for lighter bullets... I doubt you will see any difference in accuracy between the 14 or 12 with 50 grain or lighter bullets.

Have a chambering reamer ground to fit the most popular factory round with a shorter throat and have the barrel chambered with it...
 
I am partial to the idea of small bullets going fast, rather than heavy for bore size bullets as seems to be the long range crowd's feelings.

But I would probably choose to go with the 12 twist. Reason being mainly the slightly better gopher splat effect, of the faster rotational speed of the bullet, with an added advantage of being able to take a bit better advantage of the light weight 'non-toxic' bullets hitting the market, which tend to be less dense than lead, and longer for the weight. Mostly the latter, as it would possibly open up a few options for bullet selections.

That said, 14 twist has been the gold standard for the .22 cal centerfires for about ever, and if it wasn't working, it would not have been.

I doubt you would end up unhappy either way.
 
longer is higher velocity... an with no real action length 24 inches would be fine... but it is a personal choice...
 
Not sure this is the right place for this, but since were here. trevj mentioned the faster twist would have a more explosive effect on the target.
218 Bee at 2800fps 12 twist=201600 RPM or 14 twist=144000. I have read about this on occasion but is not some thing I have ever thought much about. Is this something that can actually be observed or is it more just theory . I know bullets do not always seen to explode a gopher the same way with every shot, so I suppose one would have to look at the big picture. Any one have comparative experiences'?
 
It is not just theory... the higher the rpm, the more explosive the impact is... if the rpm is too high the bullet can blow up in the air before impact. You need to use a suitable expandable bullet.
 
slowfire said:
Not sure this is the right place for this, but since were here. trevj mentioned the faster twist would have a more explosive effect on the target.
218 Bee at 2800fps 12 twist=201600 RPM or 14 twist=144000. I have read about this on occasion but is not some thing I have ever thought much about. Is this something that can actually be observed or is it more just theory . I know bullets do not always seen to explode a gopher the same way with every shot, so I suppose one would have to look at the big picture. Any one have comparative experiences'?
Click to expand...

I have noticed the lack of consistent results too, though the really good hits...memorable! :)

If I thought it would make a huge difference, I'd have suggested an 8 or even 7 twist. But I still figure the possible option of using the lighter non-lead bullets than might stabilize well in a 14 twist barrel, would be my driving factor.

Of the two options given, I see it that they will both suit the cartridge very well, but I see the 12 as having the possibility of stabilizing a bullet that the 14 may not be able to at the velocities that are expected from the Bee.

As opinions go, its as valid as any other. Until someone comes up with actual research that shows otherwise! :)
 
Buy a thousand dollars worth of ballistic gel, build a 10 twist and a 14 twist 218 Bee or .222/.223 and test away with 50 grain hollow point match bullets. Use identical cartridges and loads in each barrel.

Quicker twist will have larger more explosive cavities. When a bullet is spinning at the extreme rpms and it contacts a fat gopher it begins to deform immediately and the deformation at extreme rpm causes the bullet to disintegrate from rotation as much as from velocity. I have had 3 gophers laying side by side on a mound and when shooting the middle one which blew 20 feet in the air, the gophers on each side rolled over dead from shrapnel... the disintegrating bullet at extreme rpm.

I believe the gel test above will prove this.
 
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