Twist rates 224

[andym79]

Hi guys, nearly or my shooting is done in bigger calibers with lead.

Jacketed shooting whilst not new as such kind if is to me. I normally try and go for the slowest twist I can get away with.

Anyway I am having a rifle re barreled with a 224 barrel and want to be able to use 55gr sierra super roos and maybe 63gr game kings. I have run through a lot of online twist calculators and they suggest that a 1:12 twist is too slow or marginal at best.! As I said, I like to go on the slow side generally, but don't want keyholing.

Does anyone shoot either of the two bullets above with success out of a 1:12 or do I need a 1:10?

I know 1:12 is common outside the 223 rem, so not everyone shooting 50 gr or less are they?

The velocity will be between 2400-2700fps, I reckon the low end for 63grs and the high for 55grs so not 22-250 or swift speeds. Shooting will be between 100-300 yards.

Thanks in advance

 

[cfullgraf]

A 1:9 twist is a good compromise twist rate for 223 Remington velocities, a bit faster than your target range. It will do well up to 70 grain class bullets and will handle the lighter ones as well without them blowing up.

55 grain bullets work well in a 1:7 twist barrel at 223 Remington velocities and will stabilize the heavier bullets at least up to 80 grains. The twist rate may be too fast for the light bullets unless the speed is reduced.

My 22 Hornet (21" barrel) with a 1:16 twist barrel does great with the 40 and 45 grain bullets but begins to have trouble stabilizing 55 grain bullets. Velocities are generally slower than 2400 fps or so.

 

[Laphroaig]

Get a 1:9. You won't have any issues with 55's, and will have an option to go heavier if you ever want to. My 1:9 bolt gun will stabilize 77 gr. SMK's.

I've shot 55's accurately out of 1:8 at the upper end of your velocity range and never had any issues.

 

[Art Eatman]

While I have found that a round-nose 70-grain will group nicely from my 1:10 barrel, I'd vote for 1:9 for your bullet choices. From what I have read, hunting bullets in the sixty-some weight range are effective on deer, so they'd work fine for most of your critters.

 

[LoonWulf]

My 1-12 are would stabilize 60 grain flat base, and surprisingly the 70gr Speer semi spitzers.

A 1-10 should be fine for 60-65gr hunting bullets, but I'd also go 1-9 just for the added weight range.

 

[Gordon]

While I have found that a round-nose 70-grain will group nicely from my 1:10 barrel, I'd vote for 1:9 for your bullet choices. From what I have read, hunting bullets in the sixty-some weight range are effective on deer, so they'd work fine for most of your critters.

Yeah the old Speer 70 grain semispitzers worked great out of my 180 series Mini 14 1-10" .223 on deer and targets - 40 years ago. They still work in .22-250 1-14" at 3000fps but come apart on deer . 60 grain Nosler partitions were iffy out of the Remington 700 1-12 " barrels as were the 63 grain Sierras mentioned.