heaviest .223 bullet for 1-12 twist

[Pete1979]

Does anyone have experience with a 1-12 twist in a 223? I use the 52gr SMK and Hornady 52gr HPBT with great results but lately I've been wanting to try something heavier. Has anyone tried heavier bullets in that twist rate?

[sargenv]

I think 55's are probably the heaviest bullets able to be stabilized by the 1 in 12.. but if you are willing to try a box of 60's, I would try them out for giggles..

[ireload]

I have shot a 62 grain bullet (reload) from my single shot NEF rifle. I was getting roughly 1.75" to 2.00" from 100 yards. Considering the rifle was topped off with a 14x power scope. Now that 62 grain bullet was a Speer brand fmjbt similar to a M855. When I loaded some IMI 62 grain bullet the grouping opened to almost 3" at the same distance.

My NEF rifle is tuned for Sierra 52 and 55 grain pills. It's a general rule for the rifling twist and bullet weight. You can try heavier bullets and see the end result. At times it can be surprising.

[damndave]

All barrels are different, but a 62gr will definitely be the highest I would try. Only your rifle will know what it can do.

[FLIGHT762]

Sierra makes a 63 gr. SMP #1370 that was designed to stabilize in a 1-12" barrel and can shoot well in a 1-12".

[Don Edmondson]

I have a Remington Model 700 in 223 with 1in12 I use Sierra#1380 69 gr HPBT Match King. there for 1/ 7to 1/10 twist but with my rifle they stay well under 1/2 " at 100 yds with 25 grains of W748 Try them Don

[bruceflinch]

I'm having a moment....

Remind me again.
1:7 twist is fast/slow?
1:12 twist is fast/slow?

The slower/faster the twist, the lighter/heavier the bullet?

Thank You for humoring a mature person.

[grant22]

1-12 twist is slower than the 1-7. I think the OP's 53 gr SMK is about ideal for a 1-12 twist.

[mnguyen84]

1:12" = 1 full rotation per 12".
..etc

[Spanky8601]

A 52 grain Nosler out of my 700 will consistently shoot 5 shot groups of under 1/2 inch. I have tried a little heavier but the results have not been as good.

[GeoffLinder]

1:12 is usually going to be limited to 55gr as heaviest that will "properly" stabilize but as said before, individual barrels often defy their specifications.

You might get a 60-62 to stabilize but I doubt you will have any luck with heavier.

As a case in point, the 1:9 twist is very common in AR's nowadays. A 1:9 is not supposed to stabilize 77gr bullets but sometimes a 1:9 barrel will, sometimes it won't.

Same situation here, you will just have to test to see what actually works in your barrel.

[JagerDog]

Have to consider distance too. What works at 100 may not work at 200, 300, etc.

[njineermike]

Is there any decent cross reference for twist vs. Bullet weight? I have some 55gr for my AR with a 1:7 teist, but I've been told that's too light.

[GeoffLinder]

Is there any decent cross reference for twist vs. Bullet weight? I have some 55gr for my AR with a 1:7 teist, but I've been told that's too light.

55gr is just fine in 1:7 twist. 50gr or lighter may have problems, 52gr may or may not over-stabilize, but are usually good to go in 1:7 too.

[Don Edmondson]

Is there any decent cross reference for twist vs. Bullet weight? I have some 55gr for my AR with a 1:7 teist, but I've been told that's too light.

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Don