Berger 215 hybrids work in 11.25 twist?

[NW Hunter]

I have been shooting 190 Berger's through my 300WM 11.25 twist Bartlein 5r 24" barrel at 3018fps.I had the barrel throated to the Berger 190 and it shoots it very well.

I chose the 11.25 twist against advise I got from some of you guys saying that it would limit my options.

I told myself that I would never shoot a bullet larger than 190 grains.
Man, was I wrong!

Now I want to shoot Berger 215 Hybrids through it. I emailed Berger. I was advised that the 210 VLD would stabilize easily but the 215 would be marginally stable.

What do you guys think? Would I get enough velocity from a 24" tube to make the 215 lethal at long range?

Has anybody tried a 210 grain bullet of any type in a 11.25 twist 300 WM?

All comments please. I can take it...

 

[NW Hunter]

Anything from TREBARK?

Anything from BROZ?

 

[375fan]

Berger recommends 1-10 twist for the 215 hybrid, there is a reason: they have done the testing and know what is best for the bullet. No sense using a twist rate that is marginal as you won't be getting maximum possible accuracy out of rifle/load combo. Buy and install a barrel with recommended twist. I shoot the 215 in 300rum and 300wm, both are 10 twist and accuracy is great.

 

[NW Hunter]

Thanks 375 fan,
I have been thinking about that. The barrel only was 275 rounds through it. Maybe I should just shoot it the way it was set up.

 

[NW Hunter]

Has anybody shot the Berger 200 gr. Hybrid yet?

This might be a better option for me...

 

[Michael Eichele]

it might be worth a try. I've ran 208-210 in 11x and 12x. AT 308 win velocities. The 12x offered stability until it got cold just up from sea level. Then they started key holing at 700 yards. 11x offers total stability. While I know Berger recommends 10x for the 215, if you keep them in fairly warm temps and much above sea level, I bet they would do ok. They're either stable or not. If they punch round holes you're good to go. If not, stick with the 210s or lighter. Definitely worth a try. I bet they'll work.

 

[benchracer]

Berger says their 6.5mm 140g VLD's require an 8 twist. They worked very well for me in a 9 twist, so there is some wiggle room. I say give the 215's a shot. If they don't work, you still have the option of 210 VLD's or 208 AMAX's. Both of those are good options that will offer advantages over the 190's you have been shooting.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Berger recommends 1-10 twist for the 215 hybrid, there is a reason: they have done the testing and know what is best for the bullet. No sense using a twist rate that is marginal as you won't be getting maximum possible accuracy out of rifle/load combo. Buy and install a barrel with recommended twist. I shoot the 215 in 300rum and 300wm, both are 10 twist and accuracy is great.

If that's the case, how can we explain my incredible results with my .308 Win 5R 11.25 shooting 210 Berger VLD's? It shoots a solid 1/2-MOA, or better on a windless day.

 

[benchracer]

I chose the 11.25 twist against advise I got from some of you guys saying that it would limit my options.

I told myself that I would never shoot a bullet larger than 190 grains.
Man, was I wrong!

Now I want to shoot Berger 215 Hybrids through it. I emailed Berger. I was advised that the 210 VLD would stabilize easily but the 215 would be marginally stable.

Uh, Mudrunner, the answer to your question is in the original post. See above.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Uh, Mudrunner, the answer to your question is in the original post. See above.

Even with the 210, Berger still advises a 1:10 twist...And I wasn't responding to the OP's question. I was responding to whoever I quoted.

 

[Michael Eichele]

If that's the case, how can we explain my incredible results with my .308 Win 5R 11.25 shooting 210 Berger VLD's? It shoots a solid 1/2-MOA, or better on a windless day.

Berger recommends 11x for the 210. Hence the reason you're getting great results. The 215s are quite a bit longer.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/products/all-bullets/

 

[dkhunt14]

The 215 gain will not stabilize the best in a 11 or greater twist. In 1000 yard BR they required a 10 to shoot really good. The 11 twist just didn't shoot very good. Matt

 

[4xforfun]

My 300WSM 1000 yard Match rifle is a HAMMER with a 1-12 twist Krieger with 200 grain hybrids.

Now, granted, I have never shot it below 50 derees F. It may be a whole new ball game if I tried at near zero temps. According to the numbers the computer kicked out I am at the very ragged edge.

 

[bigngreen]

Use the twist rate calculator, the recommended twist rate is a rate that will stabilize that bullet sea level so you add some elevation and you gain stability. I can run a 215 Berger in a 11.25 and have a 1.5 stability and it's GTG. A good number of the bullets I shoot are in the 1.2 range and there fine, marginal does not mean impossible!!!