.223 Twist Rates

[Kentucky Shooter]

The .223 seems to be one the caliber where so many twist options are available. I am considering a new Remington in .223, and am leaning toward the tactical with a 1 in 9 twist---but then I think to myself, that a 55 grain bullet is likely the heaviest bullet I will shoot. So is a 1 in 9 twist too fast for a 55 grainer? My second option in this rifle is to get the Remington in the varmint configuration with a 1 in 12 twist. But since I prefer the overall size and specs on the tactical, will its 1 in 9 twist be ok for bullets in the 50 to 55 grain range? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Kentucky Shooter]

The .223 seems to be one the caliber where so many twist options are available. I am considering a new Remington in .223, and am leaning toward the tactical with a 1 in 9 twist---but then I think to myself, that a 55 grain bullet is likely the heaviest bullet I will shoot. So is a 1 in 9 twist too fast for a 55 grainer? My second option in this rifle is to get the Remington in the varmint configuration with a 1 in 12 twist. But since I prefer the overall size and specs on the tactical, will its 1 in 9 twist be ok for bullets in the 50 to 55 grain range? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[gbrady]

1 in 9 is better with 60 plus grain bullets

 

[armadillo]

The 1:12 is fine for 60 grain and lighter bullets. You can get a custom barrel in 1:8 or 1:7 if you use 70-75 grain.

 

[crofoot629]

1 in 9 works great for 55 grn bullets.

Emory

 

[jholder]

I prefer a 1X8 or 1X7 to a 1X9 because you can shoot the heavier bullets as well.

I've shot bullets as light as 45 grains in my 1X7 AR with no trouble and they were sub MOA. You might have trouble with the really thin jacketed Hornet bullets but everything else should hold OK.

 

[2Loud4You]

My Sig 556 has 1 in 7 twist but fires 55 gr just fine. Admittedly I haven't been out to a deep range yet but members on another forum I'm on get good groupings out to 300 yards.