.308 Rifle Twist Rate Question

[HighGround]

In a .308, will a 1/10" twist stabalize 165g bullets as good as it does heavier bullets and with the same accuracy?

 

[Tom Matiska]

Yes. For a 1-12" twist the heaviest-longest bullet I've seen loads for is the Hornady 190gr boat tail. The faster 1-10 twist allows you to go up to 220grs if you like.

Tom

 

[Paul B.]

Tom. The 1 in 12 will stabilize 220 gr. bullets. Try is sometime. If you want the load, E-mail me and I'll pass it on. The velocity, BTW, was 2350 FPS from a 22 inch barrel.
Paul B.

 

[Tom Matiska]

Thanks, but I have some loads for 220s. I've been sticking with 150-165's for bambi and 180's for Yogi (modest size black bear in these parts).

I suspect the military requirement for faster twist has to do with tracers, boatails, and tests in 40 below artic conditions. Has your success been but flatbased roundnoses, or boattails also?

Tom

 

[Paul B.]

Tom. I quit using boatail bullets a long time ago. I got tired of the bullets shedding their cores, especially at the closer ranges. I know what Warren Page once said. "At what time during the deer's death did the bullet fail?" Also most of my rifles are more accurate with the flat base bullets. Anyway, out to 300 yards, and more, a flat base bullet flies flat enough for me.
Paul B.