I just bought a used 223 rem 1-7" MGM encore barrel. Anyone here have experience with this twist in 223? I have read the articles but looking for first hand knowledge on preferred bullet weights and handloads or factory loads that work well. I shoot 1-9" and 1-12" 223's now.

What do you want to shoot in it? Many medium to lighter weight varmint bullets will work just fine in the faster, albeit unnecessarily so, twist. Stay away from the Hornady SPSX and Sierra Blitz as they will most likely be vaporized by the fast twist. Probably stay away from lighter than 50 grain unless you're willing to be experimenting and accept some bullet blow ups. Otherwise, go for it.

That said, from a lethality standpoint, you'll get better fragmentation from the 75/77 grain bullets than you will from the 68/69 grain ones. So if you want the heavier bullets go with the 75 or 77 grain ones. My Zombie Apocalypse load is a Hornady 75 grain OTM over 24 grains of Win 748. I'm loading it because it will stabilize in a 1:9" twist. I've gotten better accuracy from the 77 grain Nosler. The Sierras are good but much more expensive than the Nosler or Hornady.

LWD

I have used the 62 and 70gr TSX as well as the 75gr Swift Scir. Start with 24gr of TAC and work your way up, this powder gave me excellent vel. and acc. H4895 also worked very well, starting at 24gr. I have a LONG chamber. 62/70 COL is 2.280 and Swift is 2.315.
These are proven as the BEST hunting bullets in the 223/5.56 for deer/hogs/antelope sized game.

Perry

Thanks guys. I will be shooting mostly paper and steel at 200-400 yards for fun. I will shoot a few pigs with it from time to time and an occasional deer or coyote so thanks for the Swift bullet recommendation.