223 53 grain Vmax...best rate of twist?

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yocotes

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I'm new to the forum and I'm looking to build an AR. I've tried to do quite a bit of research and thought where better to look than at this forum. My question is what do you experts think the best rate of twist would be with an 18inch barrel if I wanted to shoot the new 53 grain Vmax bullets? I'm looking at either 1:12 or 1:10 made by Mike at Dtechsuperstore. Main use will be coyotes and also an additional gun to have when I got to the prarie dog towns.

Thoughts?

Thx in advance!
 
If in doubt go faster. Faster twist will shoot light bullets, but slower twist wont shoot heavy bullets.

Take a gander at this chart put out by the army.

Twist%20compairson.jpg
 
The standard twist for a 223 shooting 45-55 gr bullets was 1:12". It works. But a slightly higher rate of twist will also work fine.
 
I have a 1 in 12 and a 1 in 9. They both handle the V-Max just fine. For flexibility down the road if you wish to shoot heavier bullets I'd go with the 1 in 9 twist rate. My 1 in 12 is a bolt action CZ. Both of my ARs are 1 in 9 guns. If you're hunting for the fur you might find the VMax will cause more damage to the pelt than a hollow point. Just a thought.
 
My tikka has a 1 in 8 and it shoots 55 grainers fine, the best group ive ever done was with 40gr vmax.

If my 1 in 8 will do it a 1 in 10 will do it easily.

I wouldn't go to the 1 in 12 if you decided to shoot heavier rounds it wont like it, I think the max is about 60ish grainers.

Id go with a 1 in 9 if you can, should do from 55gr or less up to the early 70gr bullets, but from the two i'd take the 1 in 10.


http://www.snipercentral.com/cz527.htm

read this, 1 in 9 twist shoots 52gr stuff fine
 
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I have to go with 1 in 9 also.Just like best all around twist rate. Leaves your bullet weights a little bit more wide open to expand. It will shoot a 55 very well,and if you decide to go heavier,you will have more options.:D
 
Many thanks!

Everyone's responses are awesome! Thanks a bunch to all you great members I'm going to do a bit more research, I think it's safe to rule out the 1:12 but now I wonder if there will be that much difference between the 1:10 vs the 1:9.

The reason I ask specifically about the 53 grain Vmax is because I love the BC on that bullet and want to maximize it's performace but if I can also leave myself some versatility for other weights heavier or lighter....I obviously need more than one rifle :).
 
yocotes

I think you'll be fine with a 1:9 twist at 53 grains.
IMO all you'll get with trying to find a 1:10 twist is a special order barrel.

I was also concerned that my CZ 527 bolt action with a 1:9 twist would tend to be inaccurate with bullets lighter than 55 grains so I concentrated my load tuning from 65 grains down.

Up until yesterday, I found a load and bullet combination at 65, 63, 60, and 55 grains that would shoot under 0.5 inches on average.
One 55 grain load shot under 0.4 inches on average when I moved the seating 0.005 inches closer to the rifling.

Yesterday I tried 52 grains and BINGO, there were two bullet and load combinations that shot under 0.5 inches and I just started with 52 grain loads.

I don't think you'll have a problem with 53 grain bullets.
 
doing more research

Thx Rimfire! I'm going to check with Mike on what he thinks will be the best rate of twist and probably go with whatever he recomends. Last we talked I was looking at the 1:10 vs. 1:12 but now I'm almost sold on the 1:9. I hope Hornady provides a recomendation as well.
 
53 grain vmax twist rate

I know this is an ancient thread and I should be floged for necroposting, but I'm at work with a lot of down time. I'm sure that the op has long ago found what information he needed, the catch is recently I had the same question. About a week ago I emailed Hornady and I got confirmation that a 12 twist barrel will work well with the 53 grain vmax.
Coyotes and accociated vermin beware!!
 
I have a 1:12 223 that won't shoot 55's worth a darn beyond 100 yards. It loves 40's & 45's. I keep it on a steady ration of 40 grain vmax & have zero reason to change.
 
twist

The best 100 yard five shot group that I have ever shot with iron sights, 1/2" c to c, was with that bullet out of an AR 15 with a 1-8" twist barrel.
Pete
 
53 grain vmax

My Rock River Arms has a 20 inch 8 twist barrel and it will shoot ragged one hole groups with everything from 40 grains up through 77 grains. While a 12 twist barel will work with the 53 grain vmax, I am a firm believer in the flexability an 8 twist barrel gives you.
 
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