Does a 12 twist have any advantage over a 14 when shooting 55 grain bullets at 3650 fps through a .22-250?

TBC

I hear lots of guys that have the 1/14 say that their guns will shoot the 55's quite accurately. However, mine doesn't. I tried every combination I could with 3 different 55's and none would shoot well. As soon as I dropped to the 50's, groups went to sub-MOA. If I had to do it over again, I would get the 1/12. The 22-250 is made to reach out, so I'm sure the extra twist will help keep the bullet stabilized at those longer ranges.

Bullets have gotten longer. We used to be able to shoot 55 gr SBT's in 1-14 twists but now many bullets have plastic tips and require a faster twist.

If I were ordering a barrel for say a Swift it would be 1-12. Thats as fast as I would go. The heavy bullets are really just for target shooting.

Birth Controller,
1-14 has worked well in all my 22/250's, dating back to the early 60's. Lucky I guess. I presently have a 22/250 Ackley that shoots 55gr.Sierra spitzers extremely well with the same twist, and at full throttle.
Stepchild

I think Savage99 has the answer, the plastic tipped 55 grain bullets are longer and require a faster twist to stabilize. If using conventional lead tipped bullets the 1/14 will work, the bullet is shorter and will stabilize with the slower twist. So if you want to shoot 55's in your 1 in 14 barrel get some conventional Sierras or whatever brand and I bet they work..

So far I've used the cheapie Winchester white box 45 grain loads in my .223 1 in 12" twist to great effect (5/8" groups). I've been wanting to try some 55 grainers but wondered if my twist was adequate. What do you fellers think?

I like the 1 in 12 twist in my 22-250 and can shoot 50 and 55 grain bullets with good accuracy.

woods

z1r: Your 223 should stabilize the 55 gr. bullets fine. I've gone up to the long Hornady 60 gr. HP in mine with no accurracy problems. On the other hand, my 1 in 14" twist 22-250 shotguns (5 to 10" groups at 100 yds) with the same bullet and any boattail bullet over 52 gr. However, it is consistently sub-MOA with the shorter, flat-base Sierra 63 gr. semi-ptd SP.