Someone Explain 1:14 Twist on a 22-250 For Me

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kel

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I understand the twist rate of a rifled barrel but the Vanguard I'm looking at is a 1:14 twist barrel for the 22-250. Most others in 22-250 I've seen are 1:12. What kind of bullet would a 1:14 most likely shoot better? Is the 1:12 rate better? Just a little confused here.
 
My 22-250 has a 1-14" twist and shoots 55 gn bullets very well.
Previous 22-250's that I've owned had 1-14" twists and also shot 55 gn bullets accurately.
1-14" was THE standard twist for this chambering in the 1950's when I first started shooting it. Fast twist wasn't accepted back then, as it is today.
 
Originally Posted By: kelI understand the twist rate of a rifled barrel but the Vanguard I'm looking at is a 1:14 twist barrel for the 22-250. Most others in 22-250 I've seen are 1:12. What kind of bullet would a 1:14 most likely shoot better? Is the 1:12 rate better? Just a little confused here.

I would say the 1-in-14 rate of twist is actually more popular. Remington, Winchester, and Tikka, for example, all produce .22-250 rifles in a 1-in-14 twist. Savage is an exception. If I was able to choose, I'd prefer the 1-in-12 twist for the ability to shoot slightly heavier (aka longer) bullets. My Tikka (with 1-in-14 twist) does shoot 55 gr bullets well, just the same.
 
I have a Remmy 700 sps varmint. It has a 1:14 twist. I shoot 55gr for the most part. My gun will however shoot 70gr'ers very accurate. But when I got to 75's I lost almost all accuracy. 45, 50, 52, 55, 60, 62, 70's are what I have tried. 45's and 55's SP's are the best for my outfit. I hope this helps.
 
I shoot a 22-250 (remington model 7 predator)with 1-14 twist. Most of the other rifle makers use a 1-14 twist. Mine shoots 55 grain Rem psp at 1" groups, but the 55 grain federal JHP's were a sloppy 2"-3". The 50 grain remington Accutips are at .5", and I'm satisfied with that. If I was wanting to shoot a little longer/heavier bullet, I'd dang sure go with the 1-12. Savage makes a good one I hear.

-Dave
 
The 1-14 is a holdover from when Browning legitimized the 22-250. They knew that it would be compared to the 220 Swift, in terms of speed, so they put a 1-14 barrel to get max accuracy and speed out of a 40 gr. bullet.

Remington has hung onto that arcane twist. The 1-12 Savage is a much more versatile set up.



























 
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A rifle will always shoot more accurate and produce the highest velocity with the slowest twist that will stabilize the particular weight bullet intended to be used. That said, there are some 1 in 12's, 1 in 9's and even 1 in 8's that are very accurate. But the factory is looking for an overall best average for the majority of shooters. Slower twist harken back to the days when most shooters placed a very high importance on velocity. 1-14 is standard for 55 grain bullets or less. The other problem with over twisting a bullet is that guns like the 22-250 shooting thin jacket varmint bullets can spin the jackets right off soon after leaving the barrel.
 
The 1/14 twist used in the vast majority of 22/250s has always been puzzling to me. I think the plain simple answer is 'its always been done that way'. Maybe Neidner, Gebby, Donaldson and that bunch had access to barrels with that twist. It reminds me of the 1/16 twist used so much in the Hornet which is/was too slow. At least the Hornet now benefits from a faster twist from most current manufacturers.

The 22/250 should sport at least a 1/12 twist if not a 1/11 or 1/10 imo. It has the powder capacity to drive heavier bullets and make a more formidable and versatile .22 cal rifle. TnTnTn
 
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