Considering a CZ 527 varmint rifle in 223.

They offer 3 models with the twist rate being 1 in 12 or 1 in 9.

Most shots will be under 300 yds, and I plan on keeping the pelts.

Which rate of twist will be best for a calling rifle?

9

The 1-9" twist is needed only for very heavy, long specialty bullets. If you intend to shoot spitzers of less than 65 grains then the 1-12" does fine (and potentially better than the faster twist when using lighter bullets).

Be forewarned that the makers of the otherwise excellent CZ 527 chose to make its safety work the OPPOSITE of every other rifle on god's green earth. This creates an egregious hazard that will exist as long as the rifle exists.

I would go with the 9 as well. Once you shoot heavy bullets in the wind, you won't go back. Of course, most varmint shooting is actually less than 200 yards, so wind isn't a problem. But if you ever want to stretch it out, you can't beat the heavy pills. Hell, you can't beat them anytime, actually. What would you pick for an over the course target rifle?

I have a rifle with a 1 in 9" twist, and I've had not problems shooting shooting as small as 40 gr. V-maxs.

Go with the 1:9.

Two of my last 3 Contender barrels in .223 Rem were 1:8, and both digested everything from the stubby 40 grain V-Max through the various 75 grain bullets with aplomb, providing exceptional accuracy no matter the bullet used. There was no falloff with the lighter/shorter bullets.

About the only thing the faster twist will preclude you from using would be the old-style Hornady SX, a thin-skinned varmint bullet that does not work well in fast-twist barrels or at velocities above 3300-3400 fps (even in barrels with more conventional twists).

It hurts to agree with Stonecreek, especially 100%, but he is dead on along with the rest of the gang!

+1 1:9

Good Hunting,

Bob

I've killed a lot of coyotes over the years using a .223 with numerous different twists. The load that gave excellent accuracy and terminal ballistics to coyotes (other varmints also) was the Hornady 55 gr SX over 26 gr of H335 in LC cases with a 550 or WSR primer. It gives the least pelt damage of most any bullet. It works very well out of 12" twists and not so well in 9 or faster twist unless the velocity is lowered. My M700V puts them inside .3- .5" groups all day long. My older Colt AR15 with a 12" twist puts them into 1 - 1.2" also. Never found a better combination for coyotes when calling or spot and stalking if pelt damage was a consideration.

Larry Gibson

1:9 all the way.