I've never went any lower than 55 once I saw how bad compare to the 68 grain .. I have some 50 and 53, ill have to see how they do1/7 should shoot 52-53gr match bullets just as well as 68-77s....almost nothing shoots 55gr FMJ well.
1/8 for the win. Nothing says mediocre like right in the middle
it really depends on the range you intend to shoot at. 1/7 will let you stretch out the heavy bullets (personally shot 77 & 80gr's out to 600yds with excellent results) but 1/8 will give you the option to shoot basically anything and that seems important to me when ammo is so scarce as it is now.
i shoot 55's/62's/69's in my 1/8, but my Hi Power match guns are all 1/7's for the heavy pills.
I agree 1/8 is the most versatile, and intended use determines what to recommend. OP stated standard rounds ( I'm guessing that means 55 gr.) So I say 1/8 or 1/9. I wish there was a good bolt gun in 1/8 that isn't 10 pounds. I kept my Savage 200 that shoots great with 55 and 62gr for a $275 rifle, it's great for coyote and groundhog out to 300 yard
Tikka T3x Lite 22.4" barrel, 1 in 8 twist, 6.4 pounds. I've got an the earlier T3 Lite that will put 75 gr HPBTs in a sub 1/2" group at 150 yards, 55 gr HPBTs aren't much worse.
Thank you sir, I was also informed that the Ruger American compact is 1/8. I may have to look into these when things settle down.