Light bullets destroying my barrel.

[dgcie]

I was at the range today with my 223 1 in 8 shooting some 55grains and I got talking to a chap who told me that the 55grains are too light for my 1 in 8 and that instead of spinning they would just rip over the twist and possibly cause damage.

Is that true..?

Ive put about 2000 rounds of 55grains down the barrel so far. I really hope its not true

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

Prime example of why it is best to ignore most if not all of what you hear at the range.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

I seriously doubt that.

'Rip over the twist'? I even know where to begin with that one.

Greg

 

[Joop]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

There are certain light weight varmint bullets with thin jackets that could, if fired with enough velocity, shed their jackets in a tight enough twist. That could be where that myth got started.

 

[persistant7500]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

I have heard of jackets tearing off of bullets in flight (never seen it to confirm) but I have never heard anyone spin that much yarn. The 55s will do fine in a 8

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

Yes, but I believe that jacket separation should not be occurring until after the bullet exits the muzzle.

I use 50gr Nosler Ballistic Tips in a 24" 1:8" barrel with rather peppy handloads (at an estimated 3250fps), good accuracy out to 250yd, and no tendency to shed anything (there have never been any missing or 'smudged' bullet holes on any of my targets).

So far, the only twist related issue I have ever encountered with the .223 was with heavier-than-optimal weight (some longer 75gr and over) bullets in a 24" 1:9" twist. Beyond a certain length/weight they failed to stabilaze reliably.

Greg

 

[rkaires]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

I have well over 2000 rounds of 55gr fmjbt's through one of my 1/8 twist Douglas barrels. No issues with accuracy.

 

[D_Lamz]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

there are some videos on youtube that show bullets exploding in midflight due to thin jackets and fast twist barrels

 

[sinister]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was at the range today with my 223 1 in 8 shooting some 55grains and I got talking to a chap who told me that the 55grains are too light for my 1 in 8 and that instead of spinning they would just rip over the twist and possibly cause damage.</div></div>

That, sir, is horse shit.

Heavier bullets and firing ANY bullets fast and overheating barrels is going to damage throats worse than conservative rates of fire with lighter bullets.

 

[13F48L7]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

Well the military has had 1/8 and 1/7 twist rifles for quite some time and we have used 52-62gr. bullets the entire time with none of this nonsense.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

Copper jacketed lead core bullets tearing off steel rifling. Pure unadulterated case of horseshit coming from someone who should go home and stop dispensing range advice to other shooters. Make others aware of this idiot so they don't fall prey to his crap

 

[pyplynr]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

Wichester white box in 22-250 with the 40 grain varmint bullets sling the jacket off out of my 22-250ai with 1-8 twist when I shot them to fireform the brass. But they don't come off until around 40 yards from the muzzle.

 

[txgw]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

Last time I checked copper and lead were softer than steel, if anything is going to tear up it would be the bullets. I've never had a problem shooting 52-55 grainers out a 1:7.

 

[northern50]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

"Believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear." A friend told me this when I got into shooting. One of the most valuable things I've learned through this adventure. It also applies to the rest of life.


Please explain how a soft material such as copper, lead, and brass are going to harm a harder material such as steel?

 

[yellowjacket]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

Wow is all I can say

 

[Apothus]

Re: Light bullets destroying my barrel.

Bahahaha no dont worry about. i used a variety of loads through my 1:7 twist midlength that were all 55 gr pills and nothing was ever harmed. except the ground squirrel that ran onto the range