inGobwetrust
New member
In general, what bullet weight works best in a 1 in 12" barrel?
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Best Weight Bullet For .308 1 in 12" Twist?
- Thread starter inGobwetrust
- Start date
Shoot, now I'm gonna have to go measure the twist in my barrel...
My .308 is 1 in 12". My rifle (Rem 700) shoots tighter groups with 180gr. bullets. Next best groups with 165-168gr. Widest groups with 150gr.
From what I hear from folks who are supposed to be smarter than me, its not supposed to be that way. Theory is that tighter twists (1-10" for example) stabilize heavier bullets better than the slower twists. But that's what my gun does. Your mileage may vary.
Part of the fun is trying different loads to see what works best for you.
My .308 is 1 in 12". My rifle (Rem 700) shoots tighter groups with 180gr. bullets. Next best groups with 165-168gr. Widest groups with 150gr.
From what I hear from folks who are supposed to be smarter than me, its not supposed to be that way. Theory is that tighter twists (1-10" for example) stabilize heavier bullets better than the slower twists. But that's what my gun does. Your mileage may vary.
Part of the fun is trying different loads to see what works best for you.
Dave R. I think your Remington barrel has a 1 in 10 inch twist. That's standard for Remingtons. It has been said that a 1 in 12 inch twist will not stabilze the heavier bullets. That's strange, as my Winchester model 70 in .308 with 1 in 12 inch twist will, repeat will stabilize heavy bullets, including the sierra 220 gr. round nose bullet. I even get a velocity of 2350 FPS. However, I doubt it would stabilize the 200 gr. spitzers and spitzer boattail. Groups with the Sierra run 3/8 inch average.
My favorite .308 load uses the Speer 165 gr. SPFB, but the rifle can and does shoot heavier bullets very well.
Paul B.
My favorite .308 load uses the Speer 165 gr. SPFB, but the rifle can and does shoot heavier bullets very well.
Paul B.
What model Rem 700s do you have in .308
The ADL and ADL synthetic have 1 in 10 twists,
The 700 VLS, VS have 1/12 twists.
My lasts months issue of rifleman which I think the wife pitched I believ said that USMC m40 sniper rifles use 1/12 twists. I am pretty sure they use like a 155 grain or 168 grain match bullet for sniping.
1/12 should stabilize even the slightly heavier bullets
The ADL and ADL synthetic have 1 in 10 twists,
The 700 VLS, VS have 1/12 twists.
My lasts months issue of rifleman which I think the wife pitched I believ said that USMC m40 sniper rifles use 1/12 twists. I am pretty sure they use like a 155 grain or 168 grain match bullet for sniping.
1/12 should stabilize even the slightly heavier bullets
inGobwetrust
New member
Orsogato, I just got a Rem. 700 LTR. The twist rate is 1 in 12 as far as I can tell. Was wondering if 150 gr. ballistic tips would work well with it. I also like the Federal Premium 165 gr. soft points.
By the way, I would think that the LTR would be an ideal vehicle for the .260 Remington, is this a project someone has tried?
By the way, I would think that the LTR would be an ideal vehicle for the .260 Remington, is this a project someone has tried?
My 700 VLS, (1-12 26" barrel) prefers 165 - 168 gr bullets over all others tried. It shoots especially tight groups with Sierra Gameking & matchking bullets. Seems like the little additional length caused by the boat-tail design is a real plus over flat based 165gr bullets.
Just the Facts, Over the past 5 years, using Gameking bullets, I have recorded the following averages:
Shot from a bench rest, at 100 yards, 5 shot groups.
150gr right at 1 inch.
165gr 3/4 inch, * best 5 shot group recorded was a tight clover leaf at an honest 3/8 inch.
180gr 1 1/4 inch.
Hope this helps. k
Just the Facts, Over the past 5 years, using Gameking bullets, I have recorded the following averages:
Shot from a bench rest, at 100 yards, 5 shot groups.
150gr right at 1 inch.
165gr 3/4 inch, * best 5 shot group recorded was a tight clover leaf at an honest 3/8 inch.
180gr 1 1/4 inch.
Hope this helps. k
It all depends on your intend purpose
For hunting, which I have little experience, you properly should refer to the recommondation from those loading manuals.
For target shooting: I know there is a formula that govorns the twist for given bullet length, but those are some real life experience that work.
Your factory Remington barrel has a 1:12 twist (better check it with a rod, it has been documented that Remington accidentally put a wrong barrel in some rifles).
You can give a try with Sierra's 155 Palma. Two of my shooting buddies have great result with those (under 1/2 inch 5 rds @200 yds.). Those are both factory 1:12 barrels.
Both of my 700's w/ 1:12 give very decent and consistant group w/ their 175 gr MK (<1/2 moa 5 rds, I like heavy bullet, but also a bit velocity at the same time). One foot note: sometimes the most accurate load is not the hottest load. It's a simple trade-off that you have to live with often. You can even try some 190 gr MK if you like. 1:12 is not too slow for 190 gr contrary to public belief. Some benchrest shooters in "Hunter class" use 1:13 or even 14 with 168 gr bullets @ ~ 2450 fps. We all know their goal is to shot very small group and that combination has worked well for many of them. Just give it a try. Don't get too suprised when one load shots great at one distance but terrible at the others.
Good luck
For hunting, which I have little experience, you properly should refer to the recommondation from those loading manuals.
For target shooting: I know there is a formula that govorns the twist for given bullet length, but those are some real life experience that work.
Your factory Remington barrel has a 1:12 twist (better check it with a rod, it has been documented that Remington accidentally put a wrong barrel in some rifles).
You can give a try with Sierra's 155 Palma. Two of my shooting buddies have great result with those (under 1/2 inch 5 rds @200 yds.). Those are both factory 1:12 barrels.
Both of my 700's w/ 1:12 give very decent and consistant group w/ their 175 gr MK (<1/2 moa 5 rds, I like heavy bullet, but also a bit velocity at the same time). One foot note: sometimes the most accurate load is not the hottest load. It's a simple trade-off that you have to live with often. You can even try some 190 gr MK if you like. 1:12 is not too slow for 190 gr contrary to public belief. Some benchrest shooters in "Hunter class" use 1:13 or even 14 with 168 gr bullets @ ~ 2450 fps. We all know their goal is to shot very small group and that combination has worked well for many of them. Just give it a try. Don't get too suprised when one load shots great at one distance but terrible at the others.
Good luck