Preferences with .223 1-12 twist v. 1-9 twist?

[northjdr]

I just got a new H&R Ultra Varmint .223.  It was manufactured in 2006 and I was expecting that it would be a 1-9 twist, but it is 1-12. I've read alot about twists and I understand that I won't be able to shoot the heavier bullets with this barrel. I have a bolt .223 with a 1-9 twist that I really like. With the vast experiences in this forum how have the 1-12's shot compared to the 1-9's? I plan to use this as a coyote and PD gun as .223 isn't a legal deer caliber here in Minnesota.

[joshco84]

I believe if the faster twist allows you shoot heavier bullets faster.  if im not mistaken you just have to slow the heavier bullets down a little with the slower twist.  i could be backwards, so dont take my word for it.

[quickdtoo]

Regardless of what other 1:9"  firearms do, in an H&R NEF the 1:9" doesn't do any better with the longer bullets than the 1:12" barrels, they both shoot the 40-55gr best, along with the 63gr Sierra and 64gr Win. One shooter reported recently that his 1:9" shoots a 68gr bullet fairly good.

Tim

[Bob_VT]

Heavier bullets are really only needed at longer ranges.  A 1 in 7 or 8 or 9 will actually give "almost" the same performance as a 1 in 12 at 150 yards or less.  We have proven this over and over at the range.  I have had very good success all the way out to 250 yards with a 55 grain(reloads) from my 1 in 12 handi.

Since the 223 is not legal for deer in your area...... use the barrel program and get a bigger caliber (or 2 or 3 or 4.....!!!!)

[FLNT4EVR]

I have a 1 in 12 ultra also. It is amazingly accurate with 40 -55 grn bullets just as Quick said. The  heaviest bullet so far that it will shoot well is the 60 grn Nosler partition.They shot about a 1 1/2 in.  group at 100 yds. The 64 grn Winchester, that I loaded , were all over the target at 100yds. I will try some others as soon as the weather gets better.

[wcf3030]

I have a 1:9 twist and shoot 55gr fmj exclusivly.
Accurate to min of milk jug at 350yds.

[northjdr]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I just wanted some reaasurance that the 1-12 should be able to shoot. I love the different ways of expressing accuracy (moa-minute of angle, momj-minute of milk jug, mod-minute of deer(or minute of democrat), mopd-minute of prairie dog, mond-minute of neighbors dog...) I've got a good selection of bullets from 40 grain to 55 (HV-max, Nosler BT so I'll find something that works.

[/Since the 223 is not legal for deer in your area...... use the barrel program and get a bigger caliber (or 2 or 3 or 4.....!!!!)quote] I do have a .308 as my deer gun and a Tikka T3 Lite (heresy I know) 300wsm as a deer, and eventually, a moose thumper.

[cascadedad]

I have a couple questions that seem to fit well here.

1)  Why is it that the Handi .223's with 1-9 barrels don't shoot the heavier bullets as well as one would expect?

2)  A friend of mine has a .223 (not a Handi) with 1-8 barrel.  He could not get it to group well at 100 yards, but then when he moved to 200 yards, the groups shrink.  Accuracy at even farther distances is good.  I assume the heavier/longer bullet with the faster twist takes longer to stabilize, but can't really visualize this.  Anyone care to explain or post a pointer to an explanation?

Thanks,
CD

[Sourdough]

I like the heavier bullets in the .223.  My Handi only shoots the 45 and 53 gr bullets well.  For longer ranges (over 200 yards)  it flat does not shoot well.  My Contender Carbine that has a tighter twist (I've never measured it) shoots the 70gr bullets well, even out to 300 yards.  Wish the Handi could do that.

[quickdtoo]

H&R NEF's shallow rifling and bores that tend to be on the large side of tolerances are the likely suspects.

Tim

[northjdr]

http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm#twists Everything you ever wanted to know about the .223 twists, balistics etc.