Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats # of grooves for 22 Center Fire

I have the choice of 3 groove with 1 in 7” twist, or 5 groove with 1 in 7.5” twist. This will most likely be for a 22 Creedmoor. I plan on using 75gr and heavier bullets. Any reason to pick one option over the other? Thanks.

The 3 grooves can sometimes have wide lands that can fire crack at the throat after a while and be tough on jackets. Five grooves always seem to be a good option for me.

I have a 3 grove pacnor on a 223 ai 8 twist and bullets always make it to target without coming apart in the air. I'm usually shooting 75g amaxes at 3000 but sometimes I run 53g amaxes at 3500 and they still shoot.

Bb

Thanks for the info Burleyboy.

I've seen some weird group poi shifts when working up loads, using a 3 groove Noveske barrel. I'd use the 5 twist like burleyboy suggested..

I've got six 3 grooves (Lilja) in .22, 6mm and .30. No issues, throat life is the same any of my others. -Al

I am a bit late to the party on this thread but Burlleyboy is correct.
You can get away with a three groove fast twist with a 223AI but with the 22 Creedmoor you will have significantly shortened barrel life.
I have had 2 Pacnor 3 groove barrels chambered in 22-250AI , they would blow up the 75gr A-Max with in a couple hundred rounds. About the only Bullets that would not come apart were the 80gr Sierra ,but still had less than 1000 rounds when needed an inch or two cut off and set back. Go 4,5 or 6 groove anything but 3

Just another Chebbiy versa Ferde thread.

I would go with the faster twist although the 1-7.5 should get you up to 88 grain bullets. I like the five twist barrel but don't think it makes much difference. Boots Obemeyer thought that the lands opposing the grooves like his 5R barrels distorted bullets less. Who knows but I wouldn't argue with him if I get the chance.

THIS^^^

Had a Lilja 3 groove in .224 TTH. No issues at all.

Very informative ‼️ What twist ,round count etc.
I also have a 3 groove with no issues but it is a 1-12” twist .222

If you think throat life is the same you don’t have a bore scope

1 in 8" for the .224 TTH, but I shot it sparingly and slow, ha. I think I only had around 400 rounds through it. It was starting to get some "burn" in the throat area. After I shot that big hog with it (75 Scirocco) I had a rifle made up with a Shilen 8" in 22-250 AI. It was running right with the TTH, but brass was easier to find.

Got a Mullerworks, 1-10, 3 groove, chambered in .223AI. 2500+ rounds of 50 and 55gr V-Maxs, pokin' prairie dogs and still going strong.

I’ll just update this thread on what I wound up ordering.
I decided to go with the 1:7 twist but when I phoned and placed the order, Benchmark doesn’t recommend the 3 groove in 1:7 twist. Apparently they’ve been having some issues with it. They recommended a 6 groove 1:7 twist. That option wasn’t listed on their website.
So my order is for a 6 groove 1:7 twist.