I picked up an sps varmint from a friend over the weekend. It has a 1:12 twist 26" barrel. After some searching it looks like this twist like a 52gr bullet. My question is how far am I going to be able stretch this light bullet out to if I cut the barel down to 22 or 20 inches? I would like to go to atleast 600 with this gun and if that's not going to be doable I'll sell it and pick up an sps tactical. Thanks.
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.223 52gr and 1:12 twist
- Thread starter Nighthawker
- Start date
Re: .223 52gr and 1:12 twist
People will tell you that no way you can run a 50-55 grain bullet at 600 yards.
Back in the 70s, when the AR was first being looked at as a competitive shooting/accuracy platform, rifles were built using 12 twist barrels and 52 grain BTHP SMKs. The Navy fielded a few rifles at the national matches at Camp Perry with better than expected results at 600 yards.
I have also witnessed a 12 twist T/C Encore in 223 with 55 grain hunting bullets shoot a 3x600 match with scores in the 92% range shooting a 2 MOA 10 ring...
While less than ideal, it will most certainly work. Switch from junk surplus/blaster bullets to real match bullets and you'll be OK.
Let me know if you'd like me to send you some 52 SMKs to play with - I have a gaggle of them.
People will tell you that no way you can run a 50-55 grain bullet at 600 yards.
Back in the 70s, when the AR was first being looked at as a competitive shooting/accuracy platform, rifles were built using 12 twist barrels and 52 grain BTHP SMKs. The Navy fielded a few rifles at the national matches at Camp Perry with better than expected results at 600 yards.
I have also witnessed a 12 twist T/C Encore in 223 with 55 grain hunting bullets shoot a 3x600 match with scores in the 92% range shooting a 2 MOA 10 ring...
While less than ideal, it will most certainly work. Switch from junk surplus/blaster bullets to real match bullets and you'll be OK.
Let me know if you'd like me to send you some 52 SMKs to play with - I have a gaggle of them.
Re: .223 52gr and 1:12 twist
If it were me and I was trying to achieve what you are looking to do with that rifle, I'd opt for the 52gr Hornady AMAX which has a superior BC to the 52gr SMK. Like _9H said...it isn't ideal by any means, but it is about the only option you've got with that slow a barrel twist.
As for the performance of your rifle with either the SMKs or the AMAX 52gr bullets and whether you'll get to 600yds or beyond with any success...only testing out some loads with your rifle will tell the tale!
Personally, I'd opt for a faster twist barrel (at least a 1:8...preferably a 1:7) and I'd move to pushing at least the 77gr SMKs or heavier.
Good luck!!
If it were me and I was trying to achieve what you are looking to do with that rifle, I'd opt for the 52gr Hornady AMAX which has a superior BC to the 52gr SMK. Like _9H said...it isn't ideal by any means, but it is about the only option you've got with that slow a barrel twist.
As for the performance of your rifle with either the SMKs or the AMAX 52gr bullets and whether you'll get to 600yds or beyond with any success...only testing out some loads with your rifle will tell the tale!
Personally, I'd opt for a faster twist barrel (at least a 1:8...preferably a 1:7) and I'd move to pushing at least the 77gr SMKs or heavier.
Good luck!!
Re: .223 52gr and 1:12 twist
Really it depends on what your how much elevation adjustment is in your scope, and how much tolerance for wind drift you have. On calm days I have shot a 22lr out to 400 yards with standard 40gr ammo. The real question is are you up to the challenge?
Really it depends on what your how much elevation adjustment is in your scope, and how much tolerance for wind drift you have. On calm days I have shot a 22lr out to 400 yards with standard 40gr ammo. The real question is are you up to the challenge?
Re: .223 52gr and 1:12 twist
Before you buy into the all the info out there telling you that a 1 in 12" (slow) twist can't handle anything heavier (longer) than a 52 gr load, I'd suggest you get a few increasingly heavier (longer) rounds yourself and actually try them out at 200, 400, and 600 yd. You may get lucky and find that your barrel can stabilize a longer round than you might have believed without testing it yourself. I had similar concerns about a 21" 1 in 10" twist barrel, but much to my surprise, found it handled 77 gr loads (out to 400 yd at least) without any problem. See link:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...625#Post2004625
(Note: the 400 yd data is not in this post, but I have tested BH and FGMM at 400 yd and it worked quite well). You may be pleasantly surprised, for example, if you find your 1 in 12" will stabilize something in the 60-69 gr range. It may not, but IMO, it's probably worth the small effort to find out. Also, keeping the barrel at 24" - 26" and using the fastest loads you can find may increase your chances of getting away with a slightly heavier load for that twist. As mentioned above, you're trying to get a lot from a barrel that is not optimal for what you want do with it, but finding your specific rifle's upper limit before getting rid of it would not be much effort.
Before you buy into the all the info out there telling you that a 1 in 12" (slow) twist can't handle anything heavier (longer) than a 52 gr load, I'd suggest you get a few increasingly heavier (longer) rounds yourself and actually try them out at 200, 400, and 600 yd. You may get lucky and find that your barrel can stabilize a longer round than you might have believed without testing it yourself. I had similar concerns about a 21" 1 in 10" twist barrel, but much to my surprise, found it handled 77 gr loads (out to 400 yd at least) without any problem. See link:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...625#Post2004625
(Note: the 400 yd data is not in this post, but I have tested BH and FGMM at 400 yd and it worked quite well). You may be pleasantly surprised, for example, if you find your 1 in 12" will stabilize something in the 60-69 gr range. It may not, but IMO, it's probably worth the small effort to find out. Also, keeping the barrel at 24" - 26" and using the fastest loads you can find may increase your chances of getting away with a slightly heavier load for that twist. As mentioned above, you're trying to get a lot from a barrel that is not optimal for what you want do with it, but finding your specific rifle's upper limit before getting rid of it would not be much effort.
Re: .223 52gr and 1:12 twist
Thanks for the info guys. I'm not going to have it cut down and just cross my fingers. I'm not that concerned about squeezing every inch of distance out of it as it will primarily be used under 500 yds. It would be nice to be able to stretch it out but if it can't be done it's not a huge deal. Thanks again for the replies.
Thanks for the info guys. I'm not going to have it cut down and just cross my fingers. I'm not that concerned about squeezing every inch of distance out of it as it will primarily be used under 500 yds. It would be nice to be able to stretch it out but if it can't be done it's not a huge deal. Thanks again for the replies.
