.223 1:8 twist??

EasternPredHunter

EasternPredHunter

New member
What bullet weights stabilize properly out of a 1:8 twist 223 barrel? I would like to shoot everything from 55-77 grain. I was told 1:8 would be perfect for this and 1:7 was an overkill. What do you guys think?
 
I think you were given good advice; the 1:8 twist is a pretty good compromise. I find it much more versatile than my 1:9 twist barrels when using heavy bullets.
 
Last edited:
I run 1:9" barrels. Everything from 45-70grn pills stabilize quite well out of my tubes.

I'd say this, the shorter the tube, the lower the MV, the faster twist I've seen I need. My 24-26" barrels pitch a lot faster than 16" tubes. Getting 70grn pills to shoot well out of short tubes takes a pretty fast load.
 
Originally Posted By: skinneyOriginally Posted By: Terry N.I think you were given good advice

I think likewise.

yep.
 
Originally Posted By: EasternPredHunterI will be using a 20" bbl, so I think I'm good. Thanks guys!


What does a 20" barrel have to do with twist?
 
Originally Posted By: VarminterrorI run 1:9" barrels. Everything from 45-70grn pills stabilize quite well out of my tubes.

I'd say this, the shorter the tube, the lower the MV, the faster twist I've seen I need. My 24-26" barrels pitch a lot faster than 16" tubes. Getting 70grn pills to shoot well out of short tubes takes a pretty fast load.

Smokeless-

From this post, the longer bbls handle the heavier bullet better because they gain velocity. Considering the fact they make 10" ar barrels, I'm sure my 20" will perform fine.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: EasternPredHunterWhat bullet weights stabilize properly out of a 1:8 twist 223 barrel? I would like to shoot everything from 55-77 grain. I was told 1:8 would be perfect for this and 1:7 was an overkill. What do you guys think?



That's fine, but this was you original post. I was just trying to clarify. It says nothing about barrel length.

With a -8 twist you will be fine. Regardless of barrel length, to a point.
 
Originally Posted By: SmokelessOriginally Posted By: EasternPredHunterWhat bullet weights stabilize properly out of a 1:8 twist 223 barrel? I would like to shoot everything from 55-77 grain. I was told 1:8 would be perfect for this and 1:7 was an overkill. What do you guys think?



That's fine, but this was you original post. I was just trying to clarify. It says nothing about barrel length.

With a -8 twist you will be fine. Regardless of barrel length, to a point.

sorry for the misunderstanding, thanks
 
Last edited:
a few months ago i bought a shilen 1:8...i was nervous because i was always under the understanding that a 1:8 was more catered to the heaveir bullets and i prefer 55g pills...so i loaded up some heavier bullets, 63g, 68g, 69g,....they shot under an inch w/ various charges and powders..not good enough for a good barrel imo...so i loaded up some 55g sierras and noslers bingo! they shot 5/8"...1/2" on a good day...
 
Originally Posted By: shanedogga few months ago i bought a shilen 1:8...i was nervous because i was always under the understanding that a 1:8 was more catered to the heaveir bullets and i prefer 55g pills...so i loaded up some heavier bullets, 63g, 68g, 69g,....they shot under an inch w/ various charges and powders..not good enough for a good barrel imo...so i loaded up some 55g sierras and noslers bingo! they shot 5/8"...1/2" on a good day...



If you play with the powder [type] a little, those 69gr bullets will surprise you. I promise.
 
The 1/8 twisted RRA PP I had would put 40g to 69g bullets all into .550" @ 100yds with my handloads. I was happy it handled the 40s so darn good as it was my p-dog load for a while, then I went to the 50g and shot them as good.
 
Originally Posted By: shanedogga few months ago i bought a shilen 1:8...i was nervous because i was always under the understanding that a 1:8 was more catered to the heaveir bullets and i prefer 55g pills...so i loaded up some heavier bullets, 63g, 68g, 69g,....they shot under an inch w/ various charges and powders..not good enough for a good barrel imo...so i loaded up some 55g sierras and noslers bingo! they shot 5/8"...1/2" on a good day...

right around 24.0 gr of H4895...and you'll give those 69's another look.
thumbup1.gif
 
Took two 223's with me to South Dakota this year both 8 twist one HB16" AR and one HB 24" bolt. 40 grain v-max Fiocchi was the only ammo I used. Gave the Indian Guide a box of them because he couldn't believe how it was lifting em off the ground. 40s work great.

40, 50, 55 and 60 grains all shoot well. I have some heavier ones but these shoot so good I haven't taken the time to load them.
 
Originally Posted By: SmokelessOriginally Posted By: EasternPredHunterWhat bullet weights stabilize properly out of a 1:8 twist 223 barrel? I would like to shoot everything from 55-77 grain. I was told 1:8 would be perfect for this and 1:7 was an overkill. What do you guys think?



That's fine, but this was you original post. I was just trying to clarify. It says nothing about barrel length.

With a -8 twist you will be fine. Regardless of barrel length, to a point.

Not just trying to argue here, but I think barrel length is a fair consideration to mention when it comes to AR twist selection. Most rifles don't have such a wide range of barrel lengths available, and we all know how much barrel length effects the 223/556. A guy doesn't HAVE to go with a one-size-fits-all rule for AR's, because in my experience, one rule doesn't apply for all barrel lengths.

I'd personally say that a 1:8" in a 24" tube is just robbing you of velocity, whereas a 1:8" in a 16" tube is next to necessary if you're planning on using 70-77grn pills. There's just so much difference in the cartridge between 2750fps and 3400fps, it's definitely fair to mention it. My "ideal" twists would be 16-18" in 1:8" or 22-24" in 1:9". Rather I suppose a 1:8.5" would suit quite well for any length, but personally, I'm cutting the tube to a certain length with a certain MV in mind and the barrel length isn't going to change thereafter, so why not match the twist rate specifically to the anticipated MV from that tube?
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Varminterror My "ideal" twists would be 16-18" in 1:8" or 22-24" in 1:9". Rather I suppose a 1:8.5" would suit quite well for any length, but personally, I'm cutting the tube to a certain length with a certain MV in mind and the barrel length isn't going to change thereafter, so why not match the twist rate specifically to the anticipated MV from that tube?

So, how does 19,20,21" fit into your choices ?
 
Back
Top