Just snagged a M70 Ranger Youth .223 off GB today. I figure it's a 1:12 but am not sure, I read online it could possibly be a 1:9. It looked like a neat little rifle to play with and you don't find the .223 M70's everyday.

I've confirmed it's a 12 twist, but I have plenty of 45-50 grain bullets that'll shoot well in this rifle. It doesn't look like it was used too much, here are some pictures from GB.

The twist would be easy to determine. Any good load book will have the procedure outlined.

I know how to determine twist rates, I just haven't taken possession of the rifle yet. I was pretty sure it was a 1:12 anyway when I bid. I was just trying to double check my thinking.

quote:

Originally posted by taylorce1:
I've confirmed it's a 12 twist, but I have plenty of 45-50 grain bullets that'll shoot well in this rifle. It doesn't look like it was used too much, here are some pictures from GB.

Sierra claims that a 1:12 twist will stabilize their 60 grain flat base HP bullet. The longer boat tail bullets are what you will need to avoid. Boat tails don't really prove their worth until the velocity drops to sub-sonic speed, but they are easier to seat when hand loading.

My .223 Win Model 70 will shoot 55 grain jacketed bullets, but the cast bullets . 58 grain, that will shoot in my .222's and 22-250 will not shoot in it.

Most likely not what you intend to do with the Winchester, but "back in the day" that action(push feed) would be an ideal one to convert to shooting Across the Course matches. Re barrel w/ 8 twist, mill stripper clip guide into rear receiver bridge, restock with Winchester "marksman" style stock, install good micrometer rear sight and globe front and using SMK 80gr. bullets, you are good to go out to the 600yd. targets. With Winchesters longer bolt handle versus Remington short bolt handle, it is easy to work the bolt for the rapid fire stages where 10 shots in 60 to 80 seconds are required. Rifle so configured can serve very well as varmint rifle w/ optics even if the "critter" is at 600yds. The "long claw extractor" crowd avoided your rifle and used to seek them out at pawn shops and do such conversions in 308, but never found one in 223 for they are not common. Have seen skilled rapid fire shooters have 3 empties in the air w/ such rifles and score very high at the 200/300yd. line, they work very well. Renowned shooter used a bolt gun versus semi automatic for these matches and when asked why he used a bolt gun his remark was simply that the "gas guns" slowed him down!!

I plan on shooting it as is, maybe pick up a full size McMillan Hunter stock for it someday. If I put a new barrel on it will most likely be a 6X45 as .223 isn't legal for big game in my home state of Colorado. With 80 to 105 grain bullets I can meet all ft-lbs requirements for Colorado as well in the little case.

Im interested to see what light bullet loads work for you.. ive got a cz527 thats 1:!2 and not having much luck with 40 grain stuff.. nosler 50s are one hole..some factory Fiocchi 40 grainers wrre touching at 50; maybe 3/4" T 100, but havent been able to duplicate them.. hornady tech line says i need 35-3600 fps to stabilize.. your input is appreciated..jim

jimatcat,

I have had good luck with Hornady 50gr Vmax in my Remington with a 1:12 twist.

My best load for my rifles is 26.1gr of H4895 with that bullet. Shoots sub MOA in both the R700 and a RRA AR15 with a 1:9 twist.

I'm usually a TAC or H335 guy when it comes to the .223. I like throwing the powder charges and they both meter better than H4895. I have an old H&R Handi rifle in .223 with the 12 twist as well and 50 grain Speed TNT bullets always shot pretty well in it.