I am planning a build for a new coyote rifle and can’t seem to decide on a twist rate. I like the 50 grain v max for saving fur so I was pretty set on 1:12 but it seems like higher end barrel makers are really going all in for faster twist rates for the 22-250. A proof carbon prefit in 1:8 sounds amazing, but not if my bullet spins apart and baffle strikes the Nomad Ti I am still waiting to get out of ATF jail. I have read that modern bullet jacket designs are much better now but it seems like such an expensive gamble to wind up with a rifle that is only able to handle heavy for caliber loads. I guess the same is true for putting the time and money into a build and leaving performance on the table with a slower twist rate. I know Jim has/had a Bergara running 1:9 in 22-250 and was curious how it handled loads in the 50-55 grain range. Does anyone else have experience running a faster twist with factory ammo in that weight range?
I would personalty be scared to run a 50 grain bullet our of a 1:8 twist barrel running at 22-250 speeds. You definitely don’t need the faster twist rate unless you are shooting long heavy bullets.
You should look into getting a 22 creedmoor instead. You will get more speed and it’s flatter shooting plus you can go up to and 80 grain if you want to.
I looked into this too. Faster twist is made for heavier bullets. 50 to 55 would be too light and not the purpose of this type of barrel. The faster barrel twist would also eat up your barrel much faster at 22-250 speeds. I my opinion if your going to shoot a bunch then the faster barrel would probably be a negative.
Thank you, I appreciate the input from everyone. I think I may need to be a little more specific with my question. I am with you on what conventional wisdom dictates for the fast twist being bad for light to medium 22-250 rounds. What has me hesitant is what some of the premiere rifle and barrel makers are doing. I am trying to figure out the how and why. Is it the short barrel, hand loading, or something else. Check out this link to what the guys at Long Rifles Inc are doing.
https://tools.longriflesinc.com/featured/coyote-rifle-mod-0
This exactly the type of setup I would like to build. Short( for running suppressed) , ergonomic, and accurate. I just don’t understand the 1:8 barrel for 50 grain v-max.
I use 55gr Nosler VArmageddon in my Bergara Premier Approach 22-250 and it shoots half inch groups. I believe that’s a 1:8 twist. Haven’t tried anything else since that load shoots so well.
I have a Savage 110 Varminter with a 1:12 and it loves Hornady’s 55 grain V-Max. I’m not shooting more than 200 yards though down here in Florida so I am very content with it. I have seen some videos on the 1:8 barrels and I am intrigued but at present have no need to play with my setup. Have an Arken EP5 5-25x56 on it. Again I Love this setup.
My Tikka 22-250 has a 1:14 twist. Awesome rifle. I tend to shoot rounds between 35 and 50 gr. Im not sure a higher twist rate makes a lot of sense unless you are trying to push really heavy bullets, but id love to hear counter arguments. Im thinking about building a 22 creedmore for throwing 90gr bullets. Fascinating topic.
some cool discussion here
I’ve tried some 60gr pills out of my Stevens 200 (I believe it’s a 1/12 TR) and couldn’t get a group, 55gr PSP it loves. I’m looking to get a carbon wrapped barrel and will probably go 1/10 which should still be ok for the 55s and hopefully stabilise the 60gr pills
I just started my build last week. I bought a sacrificial Tikka for the action. Barrel is a custom 18" Carbon Six with a 1:8 twist and threaded 5/8 24 for my can. Grayboe just released their new phonenix 2 stock so I am going to give that a try. I should have all the components by October. I will post results after I give it a few hundred rounds.
Berger has a twist rate calculator that you impute your bullet specifics and it tells you the optimum twist: Twist Rate Stability Calculator | Berger Bullets