Thread: rifling twist what are the effects?

Originally Posted by birch

yes but there must be some down side of having more twist? other wise wouldnt all rifles have more twist than what they do ? im just trying to understand all the different perspectives before i buy the wrong thing lol

As I understand you are correct. Faster spin rate will add friction, which in turn will reduce MV. Neither twist will be more or less accurate with the right weight-for-twist bullet.
This becomes a two edged sword for the shooter. I want my bullet to go as flat as I can but with as little wind drift as possible.
Flat and fast are hand in glove but wind drift and bullet weight are also proportional, heavy for cal pill = less wind drift.
My suggestion, go fast twist. Bullet drop is consistent and an easier factor to compensate for. But in a 223 @ 100m? Probably not much in it. Far better investing in shooting practice and better optics.
My last 1:12 223 shot 50g BT to 400y on still days when out hare busting. Any significant wind and that came down to <200y

With a 223 Tikka there is only one to get, the 1-8.

You can't push the light projectiles fast enough to upset them with the extra twist.

Mr Litz says faster twist = higher BC & the velocity loss from a faster twist is generally inside the normal ES except in special cases, ie really slow to really fast twist.

Fast twist can have some dramatic effects - seen that with a fast twist 223 barrel fitted to a 22-250 and projectiles vapourising part way to the target.

Also fast twist will cause higher pressures and may be not able to reach desired fps b4 over pressure becomes an issue. Been watching a mate trying to get 7mm 183 gr SMKs with long bearing surfaces perform in a fast twist 284W. Ran into pressure problems b4 reaching a desired velocity. Firing 180 gr Scenars and no problem with getting fps and accuracy with acceptable pressure. Firing the same SMKs in a SAUM no problem. Fitted a 1:9 barrel to the 284W and now reaching good velocity (in the node) with the SMKs with no pressure issues. Improved velocity has optimised the BC.

A balancing act of trade offs.