Twist rate for lighter bullets? (.22-250)

DBotkin · August 9, 2007, 01:32 AM

I've got an older Remington 700 in .22-250. While scrubbing copper out of the bore this afternoon, I measured the twist rate at about 1:14". I'm wondering if this will be enough to stabilize lighter bullets, like say a 40 grain V-MAX? I've been shooting 53 gr. match HP and 55 gr. V-MAX, but the 40s would sprint along quite nicely. I just don't want to waste money on a box of 100 to try them out if they're not going to work well for this gun. Your thoughts?

Edit: I just did some reading... Google is truly a wonderful tool, as I keep telling my kids. Looks like if it works with a 55 grain bullet, it will work better for 40 grains.

gary2905 · August 9, 2007, 06:15 AM

It should be ideal for your plans of a 40 through 55 gr bullet.
As a general rule, faster twists are needed for LONGER, hence heavier, bullets.
The slower the twist the shorter and thus lighter projectile you can stabilize at a given twist rate.

I have had very good success with a Sako 22-250 with a 1:14 twist with 40 gr. SX type bullets.
If the construction of the bullet allows it to be driven up around 4000 fps, you should be fine.

Gary

Scorch · August 9, 2007, 08:04 PM

No problem for 40 gr. It should work fine for any bullet up to 55 gr. The 1:14" twist will stabilize bullets up to about 60 gr soft point-flat base, but SPBTs will often keyhole because they are longer.

crowbeaner · August 9, 2007, 09:49 PM

I've loaded everything from 40 to 60 gr. in all the Remingtons in 22/250 I've owned and no problems with any. Just find the powder your rifle likes and work up the best loads you can. To make the 40 scream you'll probably want IMR 4064 and almost as much powder as the bullet weighs. The faster twists generally work better for the 63 to 77 gr. bullets. Hope this helps. Enjoy. CB

DBotkin · August 10, 2007, 05:08 PM

Thanks, guys. I was kind of unimpressed with the groups I was getting with the 55 gr. V-Max rounds. I put it off to crosswind and heat, but it may well be that the bullets are on the edge of what that barrel will shoot well. Or maybe just past the edge. When I used this regularly for paper-punching and plinking, we were loading 52 gr. match HP. I'll have to try those 40 grain slugs. Think I'll check the twist rate in the .222 Sako first - I would prefer to keep one and only one .224 bullet in the cabinet, just to keep things simple.

castnblast · August 13, 2007, 11:34 PM

yes, the 1:14 was designed for the 40-55 as others stated. Try 39.5 gr of varget (max) or 36.5 gr. of Benchmark. -I use 36. gr. of bench mark on my 50 gr. and they are screaming at 3917 fps out of a 22" barrel. I think you'll like the results. work up your load, but remember, 22's like the higher velocities, and unlike larger calibers, I have gotten my most accurate loads at or near max. Just work up and watch for signs of over pressure.

August 9, 2007, 01:32 AM	#1
DBotkin Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 302	Twist rate for lighter bullets? (.22-250) I've got an older Remington 700 in .22-250. While scrubbing copper out of the bore this afternoon, I measured the twist rate at about 1:14". I'm wondering if this will be enough to stabilize lighter bullets, like say a 40 grain V-MAX? I've been shooting 53 gr. match HP and 55 gr. V-MAX, but the 40s would sprint along quite nicely. I just don't want to waste money on a box of 100 to try them out if they're not going to work well for this gun. Your thoughts? Edit: I just did some reading... Google is truly a wonderful tool, as I keep telling my kids. Looks like if it works with a 55 grain bullet, it will work better for 40 grains.

August 9, 2007, 08:04 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	No problem for 40 gr. It should work fine for any bullet up to 55 gr. The 1:14" twist will stabilize bullets up to about 60 gr soft point-flat base, but SPBTs will often keyhole because they are longer. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 9, 2007, 06:15 AM	#2
gary2905 Member Join Date: December 20, 2005 Location: Rural-not for long- Virginia Posts: 60	It should be ideal for your plans of a 40 through 55 gr bullet. As a general rule, faster twists are needed for LONGER, hence heavier, bullets. The slower the twist the shorter and thus lighter projectile you can stabilize at a given twist rate. I have had very good success with a Sako 22-250 with a 1:14 twist with 40 gr. SX type bullets. If the construction of the bullet allows it to be driven up around 4000 fps, you should be fine. Gary

August 9, 2007, 09:49 PM	#4
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I've loaded everything from 40 to 60 gr. in all the Remingtons in 22/250 I've owned and no problems with any. Just find the powder your rifle likes and work up the best loads you can. To make the 40 scream you'll probably want IMR 4064 and almost as much powder as the bullet weighs. The faster twists generally work better for the 63 to 77 gr. bullets. Hope this helps. Enjoy. CB

August 10, 2007, 05:08 PM	#5
DBotkin Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 302	Thanks, guys. I was kind of unimpressed with the groups I was getting with the 55 gr. V-Max rounds. I put it off to crosswind and heat, but it may well be that the bullets are on the edge of what that barrel will shoot well. Or maybe just past the edge. When I used this regularly for paper-punching and plinking, we were loading 52 gr. match HP. I'll have to try those 40 grain slugs. Think I'll check the twist rate in the .222 Sako first - I would prefer to keep one and only one .224 bullet in the cabinet, just to keep things simple.

August 13, 2007, 11:34 PM	#6
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,148	yes, the 1:14 was designed for the 40-55 as others stated. Try 39.5 gr of varget (max) or 36.5 gr. of Benchmark. -I use 36. gr. of bench mark on my 50 gr. and they are screaming at 3917 fps out of a 22" barrel. I think you'll like the results. work up your load, but remember, 22's like the higher velocities, and unlike larger calibers, I have gotten my most accurate loads at or near max. Just work up and watch for signs of over pressure.