thoughts on fast twist 22s

Catfish · #1 02-12-2009, 06:42 PM

I was thinking no way because that`s what I shooting, but then I am no way near max. If your close to that an 8 twist is all you will need for the 80 gr. bullets, but if your going to try the 90 gr. bullets you will need a 7 twist, at least from what I read. I have put 3 shot under 2 in. at 600 yrds. with mine, and that was with H-870 powder and a case full got me 3,150 fps. with the 80 gr. Serria. I have shot real nice groups with both the Serria and the Berger 80 gr. bullets.

muskrat30 · #2 03-19-2009, 05:17 AM

Just a note in reference to a comment. I was on a 3 yr wait for the custom 22-250. The barrel was purchased about 3 yrs ago, so more difficult to exchange for a new twist now. If I was to start today I may very well go with a 1/12 rifling. Anyway the good news is the rifle should be done in another 4 weeks or so. All the metal work is complete & it's mostly the 'birdseye' maple stock being made now. The barrel is a 24" SS Shilen, I think #3 contour. It's being made by a local small time operator who is the epitome of an 'Old World Craftsman'. I have a visit in the next few days planned to go over a few things.

Skinny Shooter · #3 03-19-2009, 10:18 AM

muskrat30, my 22-250 shoots 55gr ballistic tips and vmax bullets fine with a 14 twist.
If I were to rebarrel, it'd be with a faster twist to shoot heavier bullets.
Since your barrel isn't installed yet and you're making an investment into a custom gun, its not too late to go to a faster twist. You can always sell the Shilen.
But if all you'll ever do is shoot 55gr and lighter than stay with it.
Post some photos when you get your rifle home.

Evan, you're photo link requires a password.
Have you thought about the Savage VLP: http://www.savagearms.com/12Varminter.htm
You can get a 22-250 with a 9 twist. Not as fast as you like but you can still shoot 75gr bergers with it.
I have the VLP in 243win and love it. The accu-trigger is awesome.
I've mentioned it before on here. As much as I like my Remmy's, that Savage is the first one I tried that didn't feel like a 2x4 in my hands.
And of course the bolt handle won't fall off...

Allen

Rapier · #4 03-29-2009, 07:37 AM

I own several 22 CF guns and a couple of fast twist guns that I have built myself. First, the 1-7 twist, which I have in a 22-250 AI, cuts at both ends. Yes it stabilizes the heavy bullets but it will not stabilize below 60 grains. The 1-8 twist, which I have in, a 223 will stabilize well at 80gr and down to at least 50gr. But if you want to shoot lighter, faster bullets you will need to go to at least a 1-9 or 1-10.

With an 80 or 75 gr .224 bullet all you need is 3,000 - 3200. Once you get the long bullet moving it is, at long distance, very deadly and very accurate at the lower velocity levels, making the 3200 to 4000 level unnecessary. Sounds strange but it is true.

Were I to build a rife today, as you have described, it would be a 1-8 and not a 1-7. That is not based on a guess, but on experience. It would also be a 22-250 or an AI as the AI has become almost a standard cartridge with dies available at regular prices. Also, the start loads for the 22-250AI are the manual loads for the 220 Swift. The AI just gives a shorter load column.

If you want a truly fast 22 CF, the 22-243 Mindenhall is about as fast as it gets, in a reasonable cartridge capacity, near 5.3k and you do not burn a heap of powder getting there.

Best,
Ed