Feedback wanted: 1:7 twist and/or progressive twist for 300 PRC

Wildcat99

Active Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2021
Messages
33
Location
Montana
I've seen some documentation from Hornady via their 4DOF dopper radar that they've had superior results with ELR performance out of the 300 PRC with the 230-gr. A-Tips. Anybody have info to share on driving heavier 30s (208 gr and up) at 1:7. I'm also interested in hearing whether anybody's had experience messing with progressive twists, though I know that's a bit more of a fad
 
Off the top of my head, 7 tw seems fast for 30 cal, but I do not shoot 30 so may be way off here.
I do shoot a 6mm gain tw, 7.7-7 tw, it was something I wanted to try yrs ago, but it seemed to dry up for a spell. I have to be honest, I don't think I am smart enough to even make assumptions on gain tw.

One of the selling points is lower start pressures, how do you judge that? My main concern going in was bullet deformation, as in constantly engraving the bullet the whole way. And would it affect flight farther out. I am shooting a 6 BRA, small case, 105 hybrid, at it's intended distances, say 1K, no ill effects whatsoever IMO. MY rifle still groups pretty consistently at 1350 yards in stable conditions. But at 1600 yards, even in little winds, I have never been too impressed. A lot more goes into this equation at 1600 yards than gain twist, the bullet is on the cusp of going subsonic, I have a couple Dashers that shoot 105 hybrids at around the same speed, the results are about the same. So no concrete evidence here.

I think gain tw is worth pursuing myself, but by all means do your own testing to decide if it is worth it.
I would, or have, bought more gain tw barrels, blanks, because I want to continue gathering data.

There is one major gun forum where gain tw seems to be pushed, I honestly feel that some of the push is misguided.
EDIT: Now I did just get 250 accurate shots off w/o a cleaning, 600 total rds on the barrel. Another of my concerns going in was excessive fouling in the last 3rd of the barrel, being that the bullet is always being freshly scored. I have not cleaned it, let me borescope it and report back.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the intel. A bit more of the background on the data I saw said that the 1:7 twist yielded greater stability and some improved performance at long ranges (1,500 yds+) than the slower twists. I might get a barrel spun up for my 300 PRC and start testing.
 
Thanks for the intel. A bit more of the background on the data I saw said that the 1:7 twist yielded greater stability and some improved performance at long ranges (1,500 yds+) than the slower twists. I might get a barrel spun up for my 300 PRC and start testing.
That makes a lot of sense if the bullet can handle the tw, win-win. By all means get one, the more accurate evaluations of them the better.
Confirming if the 12% increase in price is worth it should be job 1, yet I have failed at coming to that conclusion, lol
 
Here's a bullet shot from a gain twist and recovered that I had from a few years back in a certain rifle setup. As you can see it was not a mild gain either but yet the bullets fine - 414 solid at 3010 fps pushed with H50 BMG
36C8E2B9-2EAD-476B-9DB3-CB64B54ABD69.jpeg
 

Iamosoh

What gain twist would you recommend in a .338 pushing 300gr bullets 3200-3400fps?

Sorry for the hijack but any talk about gain twist seems a great opportunity to learn.
 
Last edited:
Oldno7
I would look at a 10.25 - 9.75 if you are shooting cup core 300 gr bullets like Berger or Lapua Scenars. You Could run this by Frank at Bartlien and see if he has a different opinion.

Iamosoh
JH
 
No experience with the 308 ATIPs at 7 twist, but I can tell you that the 153gn 6.5 mm ATIPs will blow up with a 7 twist, and Hornady's official response is that their bullets are not meant to be used at greater than 290k rpm.
 
With any gain twist it has to either smear or twist the bullet as the twist gets tighter. It is common knowledge that a barrel that slightly gains twist will shoot better than one that the twist is slowing. IMO 7 is too fast for a 30. The ruger precision guns are twisted at 8. I put together prc,s with a 9 twist. We do not shoot the 250 Atip bullet but you lose so much speed is it worth it? I guess if you are in the 2 mile shoot. A 9 stabilizes the 230,s . All I need.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 4 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.
Top