1-7.5" or 1-8" twist for 6.5x284 Norma

I could be over thinking this and maybe its splitting hairs but I'd like everyone's opinion before I drop several hundred dollars on a new 6.5x284 barrel.
I'm about to buy a new barrel and slightly torn on which barrel twist to go with. I don't plan on shooting anything lighter that 140s. Preferably I want to berger 156 eol but will be fine with shooting whatever it will run over 140s. I know I should stabilize 140s with the 1-8" just fine and per berger the 156 should have a minimum 1-8". Looking at some other bullets like sierra 150s, they recommend a 1-7.5". With me wanting to shoot exclusively heavier bullets, should I hold out the 10-16 weeks for a 1-7.5" twist or go with a 1-8" that is ready to ship from northland shooters supply?

Mr.Moa said:

I could be over thinking this and maybe its splitting hairs but I'd like everyone's opinion before I drop several hundred dollars on a new 6.5x284 barrel.
I'm about to buy a new barrel and slightly torn on which barrel twist to go with. I don't plan on shooting anything lighter that 140s. Preferably I want to berger 156 eol but will be fine with shooting whatever it will run over 140s. I know I should stabilize 140s with the 1-8" just fine and per berger the 156 should have a minimum 1-8". Looking at some other bullets like sierra 150s, they recommend a 1-7.5". With me wanting to shoot exclusively heavier bullets, should I hold out the 10-16 weeks for a 1-7.5" twist or go with a 1-8" that is ready to ship from northland shooters supply?

Click to expand...

From what you say it seems like you were using a 140 as a minimum if you were going to shoot 156s I would probably go with the 7.5's I am on my third proof barrel in my 6.5x284 norma a 1 in 8 twist shoot 140s great only other bullet I've tried heavier was 142 grain Sierra match King it also shot those great

I haven't tried the new 156's yet but I think my next barrel will be a 1-7.5" for sure. Currently running a 1-8" with 140 Berger's which works fine.

I have run the 156's in my 8 twist 6.5x284 rifle with no stability or BC degradation. This has been tested in the Northeast at 300-500ft elevations at temperatures from 55-80F giving a stability of 150 per the Berger calculator. My hunting locations at 2500-5000ft and temperatures in the 20-50F range should pose no stabilityissues using my 8 twist barrel. I have not tested the Hornady 147 or Sierra 150's. Given your 140gr or higher criterial, the 7.5 twist would give you a greater margin of stability if your hunting will be at the lower altitudes and temperatures. My barrel is a Criterion, 26", 8 Tw, Light Palma from Northland......my third 6.5 barrel with all being exceptional barrels.

I would choose a 7" twist.

Greyfox said:

I have run the 156's in my 8 twist 6.5x284 rifle with no stability or BC degradation. This has been tested in the Northeast at 300-500ft elevations at temperatures from 55-80F giving a stability of 150 per the Berger calculator. My hunting locations at 2500-5000ft and temperatures in the 20-50F range should pose no stabilityissues using my 8 twist barrel. I have not tested the Hornady 147 or Sierra 150's. Given your 140gr or higher criterial, the 7.5 twist would give you a greater margin of stability if your hunting will be at the lower altitudes and temperatures. My barrel is a Criterion, 26", 8 Tw, Light Palma from Northland......my third 6.5 barrel with all being exceptional barrels.
View attachment 150243

Click to expand...

I stumbled across some of you load development post on another thread and they gave me some hope because I'm looking at a criterion for NSS. I talked to james yesterday and he has several 1-8" but on the shelf, but no 1-7.5". I think I'm going to go the 1-7.5 route, my deal is I could probably have a 1-8" ready to go by hunting season vs the 10-16 week lead time will hit me mid season here. Most of my hunting here is around 175-750ft with the highest being around 1900ft. The place I hunt the most is 175 ft, the range is 500, and next most common hunting spot is 750ft. Temps here are all over the place, could be 10* or it could be 65* but i figure for the most part around 30-40*. If I can push it fast enough, the 1-8 looks to be stable enough, but if a can't find a node fast enough without hitting pressure, I may have to drop back down and lose stability. With the 1-7.5" the numbers look good across all of my possible scenarios with everything in the range I want to shoot. I just have to be patient and wait for the barrel and not make a rash move just to get a 1-8" here faster, but i'll probably be better off in the long run.