Howa 1500 twist rate in 223

[shotgun sam]

A quick question my friend has just bought a Howa 1500 in 223 and tried it out in an indoor 100 yard range. He has fired 55 grain amax and 75 grain amax ammo the 55 grain shoots normally with nice round holes at 25 yards however the 75 grain have tumbled and going through the paper sideways at 25 yards.
I have asked him if the gun is a 1 in 12 twist but he has said that the gun shop and highland outdoors say it is a 1 in 9 twist having looked at the howa pdf catalogue 223 seem only to have 1 in 12 twists any view on this

[mullen7]

Just mentioned to chris sam, he should just measure his twist rate and find out what it is, removes any doubt

[Sim G]

Even if it is a 1 in 9", you still may have trouble stabilising 75gn bullets. Some 9inchers will, some won't.

[1066]

Howa introduced a 1-9 in .223 early last year. We have one as a club rifle - it shoots the 69gns well but never tried the 75's.

[shotgun sam]

Cheers lads

[Rab]

Sam for the 75Gr weight bullet you'll need a 1-7 or 1-8 twist. Believe me when I tell you mate, been there and done that. My rifle has a 1-8 twist for the heavier bullets.

[mullen7]

Rab, we have a friend who has had success stabilising 75grs through a 1-9. The chap in question is going to try again with a faster load, and failing that drop to 69gr SMKs as it really is pushing the limits of the barrel trying to get 75s to stabilise in a 1:9.

[Rab]

Mullen7, what kind of accuracy was your friend getting with the 75 grainers with the 1.9 twist?

[mullen7]

He said "nothing amazing, as I never developed the load" mainly due to the fact they never fitted his magazine, and was having to remove the tips of them, these were 75gr Amax's. But they did stabilise, not saying they shot well but they did stabilise.

[Mattnall]

I shoot 77SMKs out of a 1:9" with excellent results - sub MOA. When I shot 80SMKs the group was the same size at 600 on a cold day but the next outing when it warmed up a bit the 80s shot about a 3'+ group at 600.

I stick with the 77s now, until it needs rebarrelling.