Rate of Twist in Contender 14" .223 Rem

[reddot]

A friend just bought a used factory 14" Contender barrel in .223 Remington.  What is the rate of twist for it, and has anyone out there had any experience shooting 64 gr. Win. PP's in it?  Do they stabilize or is the twist too slow? :grin:

[KN]

It's a 1:12" twist, 64gr will probably not stabillize. I know 68grs won't for sure. Personally I have had the best luck using 55gr or lighter. My personal favorite is the 52gr Speer HPBT.  KN

[BCB]

reddot,

Somewhere in my collection of targets that I have shoot in the past, I have a beautiful group fired from my .223 Contender Super 14".  I was using a bullet that weighed 60+ grains (I don't actually remember the weight, but I know it was in the 60's...Any bullet I shoot in it in the 40's or 50's shoot well to very well)  Anyhow, I have a perfect 3-shot group at 50 yards that measures 'bout 1.5" center to center.  That is, center to center of the keyholed bullets!!!  All keyholed picture-perfect and the target is classic!

My .223 is a 1-14 twist.  I have seen some listed as 1-12.  The 1-14 won't stabilize 60+ grainers--The 1-12 might stablize light 60's at a hefty velocity.  Still the effort probably wouldn't be worth it.  Stay with the 50 to 55 grainers and you will get much better results.  Good-luck...BCB