twist in 22 hornet

[fatercat]

i have a 14" twist and have read some have a 16" twist. does this mean that heaver bullits will shoot better and what about lighter bullets?

[coyotejoe]

I doubt you'll notice the difference between a 14" and a 16" twist. The main problem with heavier bullets (over 50 gr.) is that the Hornet just doesn't hold enough of any slower burning powder and so can't drive a 55 grain fast enough to shoot flat and to expand properly. The slow twist, and 14" is still a slow twist, may or may not stabilize a 55 grain soft point but likely will not stabilize any long hollow points of 53-55 grains. Remember that "twist" is just one factor, the other being velocity. It is a question of how fast the bullet actually spins and higher velocity will have the bullet spinning faster from any given twist. You have the twin problems of a slow rate of twist and low velocity.

[BS]

I had a Ruger #3 with a 1 in 16 twist, it shot max loads of 4227 and 50 grain Blitz bullets. If I had a choice, my next ones will have a 1 in 12 or faster.

No-BS
Bruce

[1armoured]

My Savage has a 1:14 twist. (my .222 also has 1:14, and my .223 1:12)

I'm happiest shooting 35 and 40gr with the Hornet,

40, 50, 52gr with the .222 ,

and 55gr with the .223 .

I once owned a Hornet that put long 52gr Hollow Points sideways through the target at 25mtrs,
and a .220Swift with unknown twist that did the same with 59grs.

cheers,

Sean in 'Godzone'

[303Guy]

.... If I had a choice, my next ones will have a 1 in 12 or faster.

I may have to re-barrel my Anschutz hornet due to rust damage.  The only advantage I can see for slower twists is in the use of cast bullets.  I too favor the faster twists for heavier bullets and for longer better BC bullets.  But there is that question of cast bullets?

303Guy

[saltydog]

As we are talking about the 22 hornet - either twist rate will work fine for low gr. bullets. - +1 on using 35 or 40 grain bullets - unless you are using it for turkey hunting. Then a 45 or 50 sp @ 2200-2400 fps is preferable.