Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Large Volume, Fast Twist 22s --- Where's the Proof?

I am still relatively young (36 yrs old), but thanks to a lot of generous family and friends I have been shooting and reloading for over 25 years. I have had more than a hand full of custom rifles built in lots of smaller, faster cartridges (20 to 6mm calibers). A few years back, based on what I had continually read online, I just had to have a fast twist 22. I went with a 22 br with an 8 twist brux on a trued remington action, manners stock, jewel trigger, leupold scope, etc... My experience was the less than enjoyable to put it nicely. Kicked too much with 75s and 80s, was much harder to tune than traditional slower twist varmint rifles (even bigger 22s like the 22-250 Ackley and 22 CHeetah), and just didn't shoot very well. I didn't limit my shooting to 100 yrd groups. Even at 550 yards it wouldn't shoot as small as my 22-250 ackley shooting flat based 52 Bergers.

Why do I share this information? If you are a new (or relatively new) shooter out there don't immediately buy the hype of needing a fast twist "x" small caliber. They MIGHT fill a small role in a varminters arsenal but if you only have 1 or 2 guns I certainly wouldn't recommend one. For all of the "talk" on these boards I have seen almost no groups from these fast twisters validating the magic. Shooting groups might only be "stage 1" but it is STAGE 1. You aren't gonna magically start killing little furry animals at 600 and 700 yards if your gun won't consistently shoot well at 100-200 yards. So the shooters of the fast twist 22-250s, 22-250 ackleys, 220 swifts, 22 CHeetahs, 22-6mms, 22-284s: Where is the proof on paper that they shoot so well? Why aren't the 600 yard matches being won by fast twist 22s?

For what its worth, I'll confess I am a whimp --- my current favorite cartridge is the 20 vartarg. If you spend much time varmint hunting you will appreciate the value of minimal recoil so you can watch what happens through the scope and enjoy a full day of shooting.

One other tidbit --- once you start shooting at varmints way out there you will need a great scope to make a complete package. You might also need a muzzle break (most already know just how 'fun' those are :)) to keep pointed at the same mountain after pulling the trigger.

There's a place out there for specialty, fast twist 22 rifles but in my opinion it is pretty damn limited. I feel bad for guys that buy a 22-250, shoot it for a year or two, come read some of these posts and then think that magic is only one new 1-8 tube away.

JP

ps. my point might or might not apply to fast twist 223s and fast twist big 6s. I have a lot of experience with big volume 22s and that is why I chose to comment. In fact the 1-8 twist 6br I had was a joy to shoot --- one of the big reasons I blew some cash trying to give a fast twist 22 br a whirl.

You misspelled 'wimp'.

I don't know what consititutes a "good group" but this is 550yds with a 1-8" 22-250.



This is about 620.



Groups @ 100 look as tight as anything else I got. Even with the 40 grainers.

That's with a 7.5lb rifle and 6X scope.


Travis

I think your evidence sux and is inconclusive. I shall continue to shoot my 1 in 14 twist .22-250s as the OP suggested....

Meet me on the killing fields, peasant!!!

If I have time, I'll snap some paper groups for the OP this evening.



Travis

Just wait till you see what a little slow twist deuce can do on the killing fields....


The prairie will be littered with mangled bodies in our wake!!!

I dig the small cases for gophers.



Travis

The .204 is skookum...dont even know what the twist is....

They go great with Subarus.


Travis

.17 remingtons are all the rage in San Fran I hear...

Here's a fast twist .223 I just got wrapped up for my boy.

This the first load I tried. The one outside was my fault. I can assure you the twist is not at fault...




Travis

You would know.



Travis

The Village People recruited a new member to go along with the Cowboy and Construction worker...The " .17 Rem Shooter"....

700 Yards

Thanks for all of the responses --- good healthy dialogue from most of you.

I have never owned a 17 but have shot enough of them (17 Rem, 17 Mach IV, 17 Ackley Bee, 17 K Hornet) to know they are a lot of fun and very effective in the varmint field. I saw pops blast 2 squirrels with back to back shots at 550 yards with a sporter barreled 17 remington --- we just looked at each other, smiled and shook our heads. Was some damn fine shooting to say the least.

Deflave --- great shooting with that 22-250. Can you tell me more about your setup and load? I might be convinced to buy another 1-8 blank.

Brett --- nice group with that 223. Can you tell me more about your setup and load?

thanks,
JP

If you only have 1 or 2 guns I would absolutely recommend a fast twist, so you can shoot all bullets. Much more versatility.

But I only have fast twist experience in 22 caliber with a couple 223 AIs, a 220 Swift, and a 22-6mm. They all shot great with all bullet weights....from 40 to 90 grain Berger (though the Swift is only a 9 twist, and I've only used up to 75 Amaxs in it).

For pure varmint use, go with something smaller. But for ultimate versatility, fast twist is the ONLY option.

You must proud of those groups you are about to post. Let's see them.

JP

I could give two schits about groups. The proof is in the killing.

No groups? ever? Maybe you shoot better when your cross hairs are on varmints instead of paper?

Seriously, you made a claim that even fast twist barrels shoot fine with lighter bullets. I'm sure that is why the barrel makers only produce fast twist tubes. There is a reason that everyone doesn't order the fastest twist barrel possible when they build a rifle --- there are drawbacks that COULD exist and it is probably fair to be up front with shooters about those.

You post your best 1200 yard group with a slow twist .224 and I will beat it with a fast twist .224