What Ammo For 1:12" Twist .223?

S

saddlerocker

New member
Well I just bought a Weatherby Vanguard HB-ST in .223
Most other rifles were 1:9" twist but the weatherbys are 1:12"

My question is what grain bullet is best for 1:12"

I have heard that 62 would be the max for 1:12, so I was thinking 50-55gr would be ideal.

Anyone have any experiance with vanguards specifically, or have any knowledgeable input on .223 twist rates?
 
What max bullet weight you can shoot will depend a lot on your specific rifle. As for the 62 grain being the max, all I can say for sure about that is that my 220 Swift, with a 1 in 14 twist, shot wonderful groups with the 63 grain flatbase Sierra bullet. I expect that you might even be able to shoot that 65 grain Sierra Gameking, but you won't know till you give it a try.
 
50-55 gr is the commonly-accepted upper limit, but each barrel is different. Certainly won't hurt to try out some 60-62 gr. (or heavier) loads, and see how they behave...

Have fun with the new rifle!

~Dan
 
Im with Microgunner on this one. I would think 55 would be about max for real accurate shooting. 35 gn's to 50 gn's would probebly be best.Only way to find out is try.Some will shoot it good and some will fail bad.
 
Black Hills 52gr MHP was quite good, better than I can hold, when I had a 1:12" barrel. I cannot find my notes, but easily 1 MOA. Also, 68 gr Black Hills MHP launches bullets which are going sideways at 50 yds from the same barrel. :eek:
 
It gets a little more expensive when you go lighter or heavier than 55gr., and a little harder to find.
55gr. works real good in my Vanguard out to 100 yds., haven't tried it beyond that yet, but intend to when the weather improves.
 
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Mine likes 40 grain vmax. 55's started to destabilize before 200 yards & went all over. 62's were just a big ole mess by 200. Light bullets are fast & fun too.
 
So length of the barrel doesn't mAtter along with the twist ? I also have a 1:9 twist on my Bushmaster , In a 14.5/1.5 ... And I learned after the fact that this was not preferred and almost everyone, especially elite tactical Internet operators , told me that i would not be able to "'stableize!" heavier bullets than say 62 gr , and I should stick to 55 gr for best results.

But I guess I had assumed if the barrel was longer it would help change that and help me accurately fire heavier bullets - for example the ACR I'd like is also 1:9 , and they are making an 18" version - I figured the extra 1.5" and then another 2" with the SPR barrel would make a helpful improvement despite the 1:9 .... Is that completely wrong ? Thanks thanks
 
Now I gotta try to find some decent bulk ammo less than 55gr
Click to expand...

Your best accuracy is not going to be bulk ammo,if you don't reload try some Hornady vmax 52gr or under for commerical ammo its very accurate.
 
The 12" twist was introduced by the Army for shooting cheap 55 gr FMJ boattails M193 in cold dense air. The .222 Magnum, only slightly larger than .223, was designed from the ground up for a 55 grain flatbase spitzer and the factory rifles had 14" twist. Most pre AR .22 centerfires had that 14" twist for their 45-55 grain bullets; exact weight depending on case size and velocity.

I bet your Weatherby will do well with 52 grain bullets as used for benchrest shooting within 300 yards. If you don't handload (why?) the 45 grain WWB JHP does well in a lot of rifles, usually better than bulk FMJ "imitation army surplus."
 
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