Why is the 1 in 16" about the only twist rate you can get in aftermarket 10-22 barrel

Magnum Wheel Man · January 24, 2013, 03:35 PM

are they that much more accurate than than the 1 in 14" or 1 in 12" ???

I like a heavier bullet in general... & I'd like to switch out for a heavy barrel on my 10-22 ( already have a heavy barrel channel on my laminated thumbhole stock ) but I've been holding off, for something with a faster twist rate, may want to shoot 40 grainers or try the heavier subsonics... I guess if the 1 in 16" is leaps & bounds more accurate & does actually stabilize the subs well, I could go that route ???

thoughts ???

zukiphile · January 24, 2013, 03:47 PM

The Aguila 60 grain subsonic is very much an outlier. Green Mountain made a special high twist barrel when that round was new. Maybe 15 years ago, one of the outfits made me 42 grain round for silhouette, but everything else of which I am aware is 40 grains or less.

CCCLVII · January 24, 2013, 03:55 PM

I have a 1 in 9 twist rate barrel on one of my 22s. It does poorly with 40 grain ammo though. I bought it cheep not seeing the difference at the time. I hear there is some ammo it likes... haven't looked in to it yet.

Magnum Wheel Man · January 24, 2013, 04:04 PM

I'd think 1 in 9 would be pretty fast, amplifying any imperfections in the bullets, but a 1 in 12" or 1 in 14", would seem versitile enough for both...

Scorch · January 25, 2013, 03:42 AM

1:16" twist isn't special, it's just standard, has been for over a century. It's all that's needed to stabilize 40 gr lead bullets and turns out great accuracy with 22LR. If you want a faster twist, they are available. Remember, up until fairly recently, heavy-for-caliber bullets were very scarce in centerfire cartridges a.d didn't exist for rimfires.

January 24, 2013, 03:35 PM	#1
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 6,992	Why is the 1 in 16" about the only twist rate you can get in aftermarket 10-22 barrel are they that much more accurate than than the 1 in 14" or 1 in 12" ??? I like a heavier bullet in general... & I'd like to switch out for a heavy barrel on my 10-22 ( already have a heavy barrel channel on my laminated thumbhole stock ) but I've been holding off, for something with a faster twist rate, may want to shoot 40 grainers or try the heavier subsonics... I guess if the 1 in 16" is leaps & bounds more accurate & does actually stabilize the subs well, I could go that route ??? thoughts ??? __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

January 24, 2013, 03:47 PM	#2
zukiphile Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Posts: 1,349	The Aguila 60 grain subsonic is very much an outlier. Green Mountain made a special high twist barrel when that round was new. Maybe 15 years ago, one of the outfits made me 42 grain round for silhouette, but everything else of which I am aware is 40 grains or less. __________________ http://www.npboards.com/index.php

January 24, 2013, 03:55 PM	#3
CCCLVII Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 226	I have a 1 in 9 twist rate barrel on one of my 22s. It does poorly with 40 grain ammo though. I bought it cheep not seeing the difference at the time. I hear there is some ammo it likes... haven't looked in to it yet. __________________ "I ask, Sir, What is the militia?" "Its the whole of the people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them" -George Mason Co-Author of the second amendment.

January 24, 2013, 04:04 PM	#4
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 6,992	I'd think 1 in 9 would be pretty fast, amplifying any imperfections in the bullets, but a 1 in 12" or 1 in 14", would seem versitile enough for both... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

January 25, 2013, 03:42 AM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,039	1:16" twist isn't special, it's just standard, has been for over a century. It's all that's needed to stabilize 40 gr lead bullets and turns out great accuracy with 22LR. If you want a faster twist, they are available. Remember, up until fairly recently, heavy-for-caliber bullets were very scarce in centerfire cartridges a.d didn't exist for rimfires. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Taylor Machine