twist rate and bullet stabalitation

[Hamster Tipper]

Hey i was wondering if anyone could give a few pionters as to which bullet would be most likly to stabalize coming out the tube of a 1 in 12 twist 223. also could you suggest things that would most likely work in a 1 in 9 twist 223, im not sure which twist rate to get for my appilication. (gophers and f class out to 300 meters)

 

[Ganderite]

1:9 or 1:8 - a no brainer. You lose nothing and gain access to many good bullets with less wind drift. A 223 with a 80 Sierra will shoot well to 1000 yards with about the same wind drift as a 308 loaded with a Sierra 155.

With a 1:9 ( a marginal twist for the 80) you want a longer barrel so you can get a higher velocity.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I agree with Ganderite. I've just started a 223 odyssey and have been talkign to Walt Berger off and on about twists. He told me today that the 1-9" will stabilize the 75 gr Berger VLD at all environmental conditions. With a 1-10 twist they will only stabilize down to -20 degrees (Farenheit, I presume).

If I was building a boltgun for LR 223 shooting I would go with the 1-8" twist. Faster than that will limit what bullets you cna use (would you forsake 64 grainers to be able to use 90 grainers?) and could be too tight a twist for thinly jacketed bullets. For a 300 yard gopher whacker I would stick with a 9" twist as you aren't likely to want to go with much heavier than 70-75 gr bullets. If you had said that you wanted to shoot them out at 800 to 1000 yards then I would say that you should get into a specialized twist to shoot the heavy bullets at the expense of the ability to shoot the mediums.

That's where the Stevens action shines... get two barrels and swap out one for the other depending on where you're shooting.

 

[shockman]

what bullet wait would a 1 in 12 stabalize? i would get a 1 in 9 but the rifle i have choosen is supposed to come with a 1 in 12

 

[sm]

what bullet wait would a 1 in 12 stabalize? i would get a 1 in 9 but the rifle i have choosen is supposed to come with a 1 in 12

You should be GTG with anything from a 45 to 55gr bullet.
SM

 

[Obtunded]

Hey Luc, don't wast your time with a 1:12 in F-class... stick to your 6BR. Slow twist fast 223 for 'roid hamsters is trays bone. Tell the old man that I left a box of 450's for him at his grow op.