223 ?

jwb267

never owned a 223. i just bought a used one. is there an easy way to tell the rate of twist the barrel has?

Hawk Carse

Put a tight patch on a cleaning rod, preferably one with a swivel handle, put a little masking tape "flag" on the rod, push it through the barrel. Mark to start and then how far it takes to make a full turn. Measure.

jwb267

thanks

62vld2042

I've used a VERY old wooden clothes line pin.........for many decades. 😀

Makes seeing one complete turn easy.

Hope this helps.

Ricci.Wright

That took me a few seconds. I was wondering how you were sticking a clothes pin into the bore of a .223.

jwb267

i determined the twist to be 1 in 9. looking for bullet weight recommendations. i will only be shooting 50-100 yards

kannoneer

I in 9? Savage says that this twist rate will stabilize bullets weighing from 40 to 75 grains. I find this hard to believe, but that is what they say. So it should be good for any but the heaviest bullets in this caliber.

Mobuck

"i determined the twist to be 1 in 9. looking for bullet weight recommendations. i will only be shooting 50-100 yards"

For "50-100 yards" any bullet weight will do. I'd stick with whatever weight is cheap, available, and/or shoots best in your barrel. No need at all for the heavier weights. I have a few AR's with 1-9 twist and find they do quite well with 40-60 grain bullets.

Mobuck

Okie, I respectfully disagree with some of your recommendations. Bullet weight is NOT a good determining factor for hunting use of the .223. There are some 55 grain bullets designed for use on deer sized game.

While I don't recommend the use of a .223 on deer by any but experienced and proficient hunters, the round will kill deer under best case scenario conditions. I use a 10.5" barrel .223 for deer BUT under the right conditions and within strict range and presentation parameters. For this short barrel, I use 55 grain GoldDot factory loads.

Just don't shoot 'em in the butts, guts, or shoulders.

jwb267

thank all for the input