Varminter twist rates and accuracy...

[Caliber357]

I'm intending to put together a nice little long-range squirrel sniper in a few weeks, and have a question to put to all you fellow ARFers out there. I've heard heard all the rampant rumours and superstitious gobbledeygook passed down from a friend of a friend about the "meat-axe" effect of the 1:14 twist in Vietnam. The place I'm intending to order my barrel from offers it in a 1:10 twist, or a 1:14 twist. I have three questions I guess.

#1 - At what distance can I expect the bullet will begin to tumble?

#2 - Most importantly, does the tumbling adversely affect accuracy? Is a 1:14 only going to be worth shooting at CQC distances?

#3 - Is there even such a thing as a "meat-axe" effect? I realize that the accounts of severed limbs and whatnot are exaggerated, but the idea of a wound cavity the height of the length of the bullet would be nice. Does it really work that way?

I know these are newbie questions, but I'm still very new to the world of the Big Black Rifle with the Tiny Bullet. Be kind, and thanks in advance for your input!

[Hoser]

Heavy/long bullets (69-90) need a fast twist like 1:8 and light bullets (55 and under) do fine with a 1:14.

Get the 1:10 twist and leave yourself some options.

1. Point blank for the most part. Adding velocity helps, but in a 223, you cant get there from here.

2. Tremendous affect on accuracy. Not for the better.

3. Just stabilize the bullet with the right twist and let the hollow point do its job.

[mr_will]

1. Point blank for the most part. Adding velocity helps, but in a 223, you cant get there from here.

I LMAO at that
Its true, there are a lot better options for varmints than a .223. Even in the AR platform, you can get into the light weights 20 tactical, 204 and such.
Question is how far do you truely plan to shoot. You said long range, if you are talking 500+ you will want a tighter twist and use longer heavier bullets or the wind is going hurt you big time.

I only ask is because the last 2 or 3 months I have been putting plans together for a varmint rifle as well, one talk with Lizard and Tom changed my entire view on which direction I was going. Of course what I am doing wont fit in an AR but you still have alot of options out there.

good luck with your build.

[oddthomas]

I'm intending to put together a nice little long-range squirrel sniper in a few weeks, and have a question to put to all you fellow ARFers out there.

If this is truly for small furry animal impacts, I'm not sure much is going to be left of the thing when a .223 hits it at 2800fps or thereabouts. That's some serious kinetic energy being transferred into a small body. :mrgreen:

Go with a 1:10 twist. I have a varmit rifle with a floating 1:8 but it's mainly for home defense and match stuff. It's incredibly accurate at 100yds even with lightweight 55gr boat tails. Heck, I'd be hard pressed to even see a squirrel or rabbit at 100yds! I have a vanilla 10/22 Ruger that I plan on using for small game when TSHTF.

[MPfiveengineer]

If this is truly for small furry animal impacts, I'm not sure much is going to be left of the thing when a .223 hits it at 2800fps or thereabouts. That's some serious kinetic energy being transferred into a small body. :mrgreen:

Unless he is harvesting the meat why not? The check out what a .223 and a 22-250 do to prairie dogs on this websites videos.

www.dogbegone.com

[oddthomas]

If this is truly for small furry animal impacts, I'm not sure much is going to be left of the thing when a .223 hits it at 2800fps or thereabouts. That's some serious kinetic energy being transferred into a small body. :mrgreen:

Unless he is harvesting the meat why not? The check out what a .223 and a 22-250 do to prairie dogs on this websites videos.

www.dogbegone.com

LOL, wow. I guess if one were indeed hungry prairie pate' could make a good soup base.

[Richard K]

I have a Remington 700P LTR and a Bushmaster Varminter, both with 1 in 9 twist. Both are 1/2 MOA rifles. The Remington will shoot 1/4 MOA when I'm having a good day. They both like 45 and 50 gr. HPs and are devastating on prarie pooches. The 45 gr. pills are pushed at 3400 fps.
With the 1 in 9 I can still shoot up to 68 gr. rounds under one MOA. I doubt the 1-10 would shoot the heavier bullets that well but have no experience with 1-10 barrels. YMMV.

[michael_aos]

I like the idea of a 700P LTR .223 squirrel sniper....

That just sounds like loads of fun.

Mike

[Richard K]

Yeah, the LTR is the most accurate rifle I own. It shoots much better than I am capable of. I've got a Nikon 4-12X40 AO on it.