Hello All,
For a 300WM shooting 165gr and 180gr bullets what would be the best twist option?
If there are a couple of choices can someone list the pros and cons of each?
Thanks
Tom
What would be the difference if I were to go with an 11 twist and shoot 165 and 180gr bullets vs going with a 12?
Thanks for your help.
Tom
Mark is correct! that is why I kept asking if you were sure that you would never want to shoot heavier bullets which he also correctly pointed out that length is the real determining factor...........Mark, you must want to shoot some of my new 250-260 grainers if you are going to an 8 twistTom,
What is your shooting goal? If LR shooting is your goal, it is best accomplished with high BC bullets. High BC bullets require a faster twist. High BC bullets have high BC because of their shape which is long and pointy, which is why they require a tight twist. If you gi to the Berger site, you will see that a 210 Berger requires an 11 twist (minimum) The 208 Amax has a very similar BC as the 210 Berger which means, that at the same weight, they are about the same length and probably require the same twist.. IMO, trying to decide between a 10 and 11 twist or 12 twist is the same as straining at gnats. This is something that BR shooters do and they are usually shooting a different type bullet (flat base often) than LR shooters, and different type of rifels.
If you go with an 11 twist, you will be able to shoot all of the common comercially available bullets but you wont be able to shoot the LR friendly, high BS bullets.
-Mark
I'm going to need a little bit of help here to make sure I don't screw this up.
I'm building a rig that will be a good bench rifle and a good hunting rifle. So ideally not perfect for either.
I've had success with the Nosler Accubonds so I figured I'd set it up for those. They are also semi-reasonable in price. I want a flat shooting cartridge which is why I'm leaning towards the lighter bullets 165 and 180gr. I hear the 208gr Horndady A-Max have a really high BC so figured I'd try to see if I could squeeze those in there as well.
Yesterday I set up some dummy cartridges with an OAL of 3.85" so that I can seat the bullets in the magazine. I did this with 165gr and 180gr Accubonds.
I was very surprised with something that I learned. Both dummies measure the same to ogive. I was very surprised since they have the same oal. I always thought the variance among different weight bullets was from the ogive to the tip. Not the ogive to the base.
I'm really not sure of the true impact of my discovery. I know now that the 180gr bullet is stuffed further into the case. It almost seems to me that in order to take advantage of a cartride case capacity that one would want to use a magnum action with the larger magazine well so that bullets can be loaded to where just the caliber is in the case neck.
I'd really appreciate it if folks could chime in.
Thanks
Tom
You are correct in assuming that best case scenario is to seat the longer bullets to the base of the neck for more case capacity and sometimes better accuracy.
To my surprise when I seat a 208gr Hornady A-Max to an oal of 3.385, the ogive is inside the case.
While I'm excited about this project I'm at a stage where I can back up with minimal cost. I'd have to sell my rifle and pick up another. Should I find a magnum action?
Tom