Which twist is better ?

[Bill K]

In the 223 I would mostly shoot 50-55 grain bullets, with the occasional 40 and 60 grain. Would you go with the 1-8 or 1-9 twist?
How about in the 204 Ruger barrel ? It would be shooting the 32-40 grain bullets. Thank you guys. Bill K

[Darkker]

Honestly I would buy a 12-twist if I could find it
It depends on WHICH bullet you plan on shooting.
A 9-Twist will easily stabilize any 60gr out there. The problem is going the other way.
MV * 720 / Twist = RPM
Lightly jacketed bullets(TNT low vel, Dogtowns, VarmintNightmares, SXSP's) have a very low RPM ceiling; @ 240,000RPM. Meaning around 3,000 fps Max before you get bullet destruction.
So if you want to shoot on the cheap, you gotta shoot slow.
Over on Shootersforum I have a bunch of the popular bullets(22cal) RPM ratings listed.

For the 204, My stock Ruger had troubles with the 40gr bullets. Would almost go faster if possible. For the 35-32gr's no problems.

[247sniper]

Hi Bill,

I have a PAC -NOR 1/11 twist on my .204 and It is awesome with the 40 grain V-Max or the 39 Blitz kings. It also shoots the 32's superbly as well. The only reason I want to shoot the heavier 40's and 39's is that they have a higher BC and perform better in the wind at longer range.

Steve.

[247sniper]

Forgot to mention,

A 1/11 twist will be perfect for the bullets you have chosen Bill, a standard 1/12 MAY not stabilise some 40's?

Steve.

[Bill K]

Forgot to mention,

A 1/11 twist will be perfect for the bullets you have chosen Bill, a standard 1/12 MAY not stabilise some 40's?

Steve.

So far, most of the twists in the AR barrels I am looking at are either standard 1/12 or the 1/8 or 1/9.. May lean towards the 1/9, from what I am finding out.. Is it not fun, trying to decide ? I appreciate the info/input Sniper.. Thank you. Bill K

[Darkker]

Bill, Just to distinguish the difference between the 223 & 204 barrels....
A 12-twist in 223 will do SOME 60-62 bullets(depends on length of bullet), or ANYTHING lighter.
For the 204, although I never build a 204 AR, I agree with 247: Get the 11-twist.

[bow shot]

Hi Bill K

Here are a couple good pages for AR15 .223 (5.56) handloading:

http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/04 ... 23_120606/

and

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/

Also, though my RRA 1:12 bull is excellent w/40gn Bergers (I hope to dial in 39 SBKs this week), it seems to be widely accepted that the 1:12 is "all about" the 32gn (or similar) pills.. I think my 5-shot 300y group with the Bergers is faithfuly 2", w/4 doing 1.5". Man, I need to get back behind that gun, LOL!!

[Bodei]

I have a vArmint barrel .223 AR with 1:8 twist and it handles 40-77+grain bullets. 77 is the largest 8 have fired. 40 grain Zmax is my standard squirrel load.

[Valar]

I have a shilen bull barrel in the .204 1-9 twist. I wouldnt trade it for anything. It shoots from .26 g v grenades up to 50 grain bergers like a tac driver.

[Tokimini]

I have a shilen bull barrel in the .204 1-9 twist. I wouldnt trade it for anything. It shoots from .26 g v grenades up to 50 grain bergers like a tac driver.

The Shilen 204 9 twist is an awesome barrel. Mine shoots the 32gr bullets just as well as it shoots the 40s. My factory 12 twist barrel could not stabilize the 32s at near max loads but the Shilen puts them out like a laser.