Barnes recommends at least a 1-9 twist for their 62gr bullets. I think the older boat paddle M77s were all 1-12. I doubt they will stabilize in that twist. The new Hawkeye models are 1-9 twist. You may have to step down to the 50-53gr bullets, possibly 55gr, to shoot in a 1-12.
I struggle to understand why manufacturers don't standardize a quick, 1-8" or 1-9", ROT in all of their .224" bore rifles. The Ruger makes the RAR-Predator in 223 with a 1-8" ROT and the 22-250 with a 1-10" ROT, why not make both 1-8" ROT? Since I'm mostly shooting 60 grain VMax and Partitions in my .224" bore rifles, the slower ROT isn't a serious problem.
