Looking for some help here. Wanting to pick up a varmint rifle for squirrels, rockchucks, and coyotes. Most of my shooting is 300 yds and in, but I like to play with some longer shots out to 600 yds. Have had a .223 in the past and loved it due to the low muzzle blast and lack of barrel jump, but couldn't really do much with it past 300 yds. I know a .223 will do what I want if I match the right bullets and loads to the right barrel twist, so thought I'd pick your collective brains on this. Pros and cons for 7", 8", 9", and 12" twist rate for what I want to do? I can get a Savage Model 12 (26" fluted stainless varminter with laminated stock ) in both 7" and 9", or a Sako Model 85 (24" fluted stainless varminter with laminated stock) in an 8" twist. I'm thinking the tighter twist rates will help me at distance due to their ability to handle the heavier/longer bullets, but what can I expect to sacrifice on the lighter bullets? If I go with the tightest twist (7") do I effectively preclude my ability to use bullets in the 50 gr range? Will look at other calibers if I need to, but don't want to fight muzzle blast and barrel jump. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
.223 suggestions
- Thread starter maverick2
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I would go for the Savage Model 12, either in .223 with the 1:7 twist or .22-250 with the 1:9.
I am right now building a .223AI on a Remington 700 action with a 1:8 twist for my varmint gun, it would have been much cheaper and easier to just buy a Savage....
The Sako action is too short to use the 70+ gr bullets effectively imho
I am right now building a .223AI on a Remington 700 action with a 1:8 twist for my varmint gun, it would have been much cheaper and easier to just buy a Savage....
The Sako action is too short to use the 70+ gr bullets effectively imho
johnnyk
Well-Known Member
I too owned a .223 in the FP model (1-9 twist, 24" barrel) but it was a 110 (LA). It had the cheap Tupperware stock but shot very good. I only shot handloads and started out loading the 69gn Nosler and Sierra. The SMKs (.2's) shot a little better than the Noslers (.3") but I was really blowed away whenever I tried the 55gn Ballistic Tips. The groups shrank to .1's!, I even let a hunting buddy (he usually just sprays and prays) shoot a 3-shot group with it and he shot a .1" group also. If I ever get another .223 it will be a Savage. JohnnyK.
The Savage is my odds-on favorite. Big question is rate of twist for the barrel. 1 in 9" is most common, but 1 in 7" is available also. Any inherent advantages/disadvantages in the 1-in-7" knowing I'm looking for 0-600 yd gun? Is the 1-in-7" barrel going to give me a lot more trouble with the 50-55 grain bullets for the shorter range varmint stuff?
Leupold308
Active Member
I dont think 1 in 7 twist should be a problem with 55 grain bullets considering your muzzle velocities with the 223 should be modest.
I prefer the 223 AI. Nothing like a 55 gr VMax, BT, or BK at 3600 fps to reach out and smack something.
Of note, I smithed a couple of factory Savage 1:9 twist barrels and they shoot everything from 50's to 75 gr VMax with excellent accuracy, even to 1K yards.
Of note, I smithed a couple of factory Savage 1:9 twist barrels and they shoot everything from 50's to 75 gr VMax with excellent accuracy, even to 1K yards.
johnnyk
Well-Known Member
Iowaboy sent you a PM
dontpokethebear
Member
I have a friend who has a rem with 1:7 it works great. It is a fast enough twist to shoot the heavy pills and because of the lower velocity with the .223 it still shoots the 55's great and it makes for a very nice explosion of the vermon 
and that helps make it easier to be a spectator while your barrel cools down.
and that helps make it easier to be a spectator while your barrel cools down.
