i am new to the 22-250 having just inherited one that is 1 in 12 twist. it shoots up to 55gr unbelievably well. i am interested in shooting 70-80gr. my question is: if i go to a 1 in 8 will it stabilize the 55gr? i don't want to completely abandon the lighter bullets.

Issue is will it over stabilize the 55. While not the ideal twist for the 55 you should be ok.

I have a 1 in 8 in my ar15 it will handle everything from 52 to 80. However the velocity is a little lower.

IMO 1 in 8" will not be good for the 50-55 grain bullets as many of them will "come apart" in mid air due to too many RPMs.

I've had good luck with 1-12" barrels and 60 grain bullets.....and will also handle the 50-55 grain bullets mostly.....Sierra's blitz and Hornady's SX may not survive the ride however. The Speer TNT 50 did well in my rifle.

It's a good move to use the heavier bullets and faster twists.....but the price may be loss of the lighter ones!

quote:

IMO 1 in 8" will not be good for the 50-55 grain bullets as many of them will "come apart" in mid air due to too many RPMs.

Checking the Speer site and they have this posted.
Q.
I'm shooting 50 grain soft points in a 223 semi-auto and the bullets are coming apart in flight. What's wrong with these bullets?

A.
Nothing. Most likely, your rifle has a twist rate of 1-7 inches, intended for 62 grain military ammo. Several bullet makers compared notes and all had the same observation: muzzle velocities over 2800 ft/sec in a 7" twist will tear apart conventional 22 caliber bullets. Try our 62 grain FMJ or 70 grain semi-spitzer to keep bullets together.


If my calculator is working that would be 3200 in a 1 in 8, I shoot 52&55s at around 3300 in my AR they hold together. But at the higher 22-250 velocity it will probably depend on the bullet.

A 1 in 9 will handle 70s and maybe the 80s depending on the velocity. Might not over spin the 55s.

I have a .22-250 with a i in 9 twist. It will stabilize the 80 grain sierra. The 62 grain will occasionally disintegrate with full power loads. I have not tried 55 grains in it, but I think they would have to be loaded way down in velocity to survive intact to the target.

i've got a 250AI with an 8" twist i built to shoot the 80 gr sierras, which it does well, for the nuts of it i tried a 50 gr and it didn't make it to a 50 yard target