.223 twist rate ?

[Singletap]

Guys,
       I'm looking to purchase a 14" or 15" - .223 barrel for my Contender or Encore (haven't decided which yet)  My question is what is the twist rate of a factory barrel. (I'm guessing 1:14 or 1:15)  I'm aware of the twist rate / bullet weight correlation and wondering if it's worth the extra $$$ for a custom barrel with a 1:9 twist to handle heavier bullets.  This barrel will be used for varmits and paper.  Also feel free to suggest optics -- fixed or variable? Manufacturer?  Thanks

[B_Koes]

T/C barrels for the .223 (and all other .224" barrels) are 1-12" twist.  I suggest sticking with the standard twist unless you know exactly what you think you need.  The 12" twist will stabilize 55gr bullets and some 60-63gr non-boattail bullets.

[Oxnam]

For optics on my Contender super 14 .223, I absolutely love my Burris 3X12, fine plex, with target turrets.  There is nothing like being able to zero in and not have to worry where to hold over.  For target and long range varmints I also recommend the Harris bench bipod with the swivel option.  A little while back, a friend of mine couldn't believe how accurate I claimed my setup was (new to Contenders.) We set up milk jugs filled with water from 360-400 yards.  These distances were confirmed by my Bushnell lazer rangefinder.  With my wind meter and ballistic charts I zero in without firing a shot.  I touched the first off, and looking through the spotting scope he said I had barely missed to the right (under-estimated the cross wind.)  A couple clicks and the next shot blew the jug off the rock.  He was amazed.  Didn't miss a jug for a couple shots.  As the jugs got further out we made the adjustments and they kept bursting when we did everything right on our end of the gun.  This is my all time favorite set-up.  My furthest ground squirrel to date was at 183 yards.  Just a note on the 400 yard jugs, I had adjusted to be 10.5 or 11 inches high at 100 yards.  Now that is lobbing them out there.  The bullets I shot were only 52 gr.  I am assuming you are looking to shoot bullets that are a lot heavier.

[Javelina]

Hello Singletap,

I don't see a single bad piece of advice on this entire thread - these guys are right on the ball!

Going a little further, I have found that individual barrels being what they are, mine won't stabilize bullets over 50 grains, but since the Nosler 50 BT shoots so well, that's not a problem for me.  I would suggest that you consider indexing your cases if you reload - it works and that's a fact.

Here's a scope suggestion - the Burris 3-12x scopes are great, I have several. . .but for guys like me who are on a budget and who like to save a buck or two, you might consider the Bushnell Trophy 2-6x scope.  They're bright, clear and I have several of them on fairly hard kicking T/C's as well as my 223 Encore.  You should be able to get one for around $135-$155 depending on where you shop on the internet.  Also for those of us who aren't made of money (and there is a lot of debate both ways on this), I have always had great service from the T/C Duo-Mounts for mounting your scope.  I don't use them for the Burris 3-12's, but I use them with the lighter weight Bushnell Trophy 2-6x scopes.  I always clean out all the scope mount holes on the barrel with alcohol and a Q-Tip - ditto for all the upper screws in the rings and then use Blue Lock-Tite.  I"ve never had a problem.

The bipod idea is a great one, and you can now get cheaper Bi-Pods than Harris that are just as serviceable for 30%-40% less than Burris - check for them at Wally World and on the internet. . .I sure like saving money!

Here's my Encore setup with a factory tapered barrel (probably the most viewed gun on this forum, but here it is again), the forend is a Virgin Valley laminate that has been pillar-bedded:

http://www.hunt101.com/img/055438.jpg

Safe and good shooting to you - and good luck with your choices!

Javelina