Barrel twist for Lead Free

L Rivard · #1 09-10-2016, 03:55 PM

I am beginning to plan a new project rifle for ground squirrel shooting. So far I have decided on .223 Rem, in a 26 inch barrel length on a Shilen GDV action. Since I shoot northeastern California, I will soon have to use lead free bullets. To date I have used barrels with a twelve inch twist in my .223 Rem rifles, mostly with 50 or 52 grain lead core bullets. I have tested a few lead free and lean towards the 35 grain Nosler. Would a quicker twist, say a nine inch, be an advantage with these long for weight lead free bullets? Maybe also help them expand more reliably? Any thoughts or opinion would be appreciated.

Daryl · #2 09-10-2016, 04:31 PM

Depends on which lead-free bullets you want to shoot.
The Barnes 30gr. shoots in 16" twist Hornets, while the 36gr. needs a 14" twist in a Hornet.
The 62gr. Varmageddon Nosler shoots sub 1/2" in my heavy .22-250 Rem. 700 with a 14" twist, but I am driving them over 3,600fps.
I have not tried any other lead free bullets except for Barnes X and TSX bullets. With those, a 45gr. BT "X" shoots in 14" twists and the 50gr. TSX shoots a bit better than the 62gr. Varmageddon in the a'fore mentioned Rem. The 53gr. TSX needs a 12" twist - but those are not varmint bullets - rather they are meant for deer.
Note, a 16" twist Hornet will put 50gr. lead core, lead tips into sub 1/2" groups at 100yards, as well as a 14" is best for the 52 and 53gr. lead core HP match bullets.

The 12" twist .223 came out first in M16's due to the 55gr. BT FMJ keyholing on impact with VC. They were thought to be too destructive - as they were barely stabilized. The 12" has ben around for so many yers, some people thing that rate is needed for normal .22 bullets. If the norm today is the Vmax and other plastic tipped bullets in 55gr. or heavier, then yes, the faster twist is necessary. 14" twist was the standard for many years in Bench Rest barrels.

Oleman · #3 09-10-2016, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daryl

Depends on which lead-free bullets you want to shoot.
The Barnes 30gr. shoots in 16" twist Hornets, while the 36gr. needs a 14" twist in a Hornet.
The 62gr. Varmageddon Nosler shoots sub 1/2" in my heavy .22-250 Rem. 700 with a 14" twist, but I am driving them over 3,600fps.

Varmageddon's are lead free?

njc110381 · #4 09-10-2016, 04:42 PM

If you were shooting lead free of a similar weight to what your gun likes in lead, then I'd say yes. As you're dropping the weight considerably I'd say the regular 12 twist will be fine. Much more than that and I'd worry about the velocity they can be fired at without losing accuracy or even breaking up? a 35gr bullet is going to come out of a .223 pretty fast!

Daryl · #5 09-10-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oleman

Varmageddon's are lead free?

oops- nope - my error - they have lead cores. Just the Varmint Grenades I was using in the 16" for the 30 and 36gr. ion the 14" twist.

I suspect anything heavier in a lead free might need a 12" or faster twist- especially the 53 or 55gr. versions.

Daryl · #6 09-10-2016, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njc110381

If you were shooting lead free of a similar weight to what your gun likes in lead, then I'd say yes. As you're dropping the weight considerably I'd say the regular 12 twist will be fine. Much more than that and I'd worry about the velocity they can be fired at without losing accuracy or even breaking up? a 35gr bullet is going to come out of a .223 pretty fast!

Even faster from a .22-250! Great for squirrels - just too much recoil to see many hits.

Chickenthief · #7 09-10-2016, 04:58 PM

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Bob Acker · #8 09-11-2016, 12:47 AM

Have a pair of Coopers, 20 Vartarg and K hornet that will shoot consistent 5 shot quarter inch groups with lead and will do equally well with non-lead varmint grenades. I believe they are both 1 in 12 twist.
Living in Cal I too was concerned with the upcoming lead ban but no longer.

Bill K · #9 09-11-2016, 01:09 AM

Also being in Kalifornia, and planning ahead. All my barrels lately, in 20 have been 1/11 and 1/9 in 224 calibers. They shoot all my bullets just fine and work as well, also, with the lead free. Mostly I use the Lead free Nosler tipped one's. Bill K

L Rivard · #10 09-11-2016, 02:58 PM

Thank you all for the reply's, nothing like first hand info to help in making a decision. I think I will go with the one in nine in case I want to try the heavier lead free offerings. If that proves to be a problem with the light bullets I can always back off velocity a bit. Thanks again.