• If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here

300 WM barrel length and twist

DoubleGobble00

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Messages
323
I am looking to buy a remage barrel from mcgowen but can't decide on the twist and length. I will be shooting the 210 to 230 bergers only (and anything bigger that comes out) since I love the big high BC bullets. This gun is strictly a long range gun which will ride in a mcmillan A5.

I am leaning toward a 8 or 9 twist and the 26" or 28" barrel. I'd like to get the best velocity. I will also be shooting a Ultra 9 which will make this gun super long if I go with the 28".

Can you have too much twist with the 8?
How much velocity will I gain with 28"? 50fps?

Thoughts?
 
Recently read an article I believe Brian was the one doing a test of 6 different 308 barrels with twists from 12 to 8 and the speed difference was only 1.33 fps for each inch.

Found the link to the test

htt p://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2015/02/does-barrel-twist-rate-affect-muzzle-velocity-litz-test/
 
Thanks for the info. I was wondering if you can have too much twist. Can you twist too much and cause accuracy problems and bullets to break apart?

The velocity increase would be from the longer barrel. I just don't know how much to expect from an extra 2" barrel in a 300 wm.
 
You can twist a bullet to much. A fast twist 22-250 I have seen it happen with 40gr bullets.
In a 30 cal I don't see 8 or 9 twist being a problem for hunting bullets. Maybe 100gr might come apart.

Average 25fps per inch seems to be the norm from what I have personally seen
 
Got ya. Thanks for the info. I think I will stick with the 9 twist then decide if the extra FPS is worth the extra weight of the 28" barrel.
 
Better to have a FAST TWIST than a SLOW TWIST! You can UNDER STABILIZE a BULLET, but you CAN NOT OVER STABILIZE IT! Allow me to explain; take a GYROSCOPE and place it on a counter top. SPIN IT. What Happens? With enough SPIN, it spins TRUE and STABLE. NOT ENOUGH SPIN and it wobbles and falls over. Same thing happens with a bullet in flight. You can spin the hell out of it and she'll fly straight and true; but not having enough spin on it and all hell breaks loose. It spins out of control completely! No TWO SLOW SPINS will ever have the same results; same as a bullet! I built two different .17's, one in .17 VLR the other a .17 PPC. The VLR has a 6 twist, the PPC has a 6 1/2 twist. I need the different twists to stabilize the lengthy bullets I built the rifle to shoot; but they will shoot anything smaller and accurately. Ted Smith Jr
 
Better to have a FAST TWIST than a SLOW TWIST! You can UNDER STABILIZE a BULLET, but you CAN NOT OVER STABILIZE IT! Allow me to explain; take a GYROSCOPE and place it on a counter top. SPIN IT. What Happens? With enough SPIN, it spins TRUE and STABLE. NOT ENOUGH SPIN and it wobbles and falls over. Same thing happens with a bullet in flight. You can spin the hell out of it and she'll fly straight and true; but not having enough spin on it and all hell breaks loose. It spins out of control completely! No TWO SLOW SPINS will ever have the same results; same as a bullet! I built two different .17's, one in .17 VLR the other a .17 PPC. The VLR has a 6 twist, the PPC has a 6 1/2 twist. I need the different twists to stabilize the lengthy bullets I built the rifle to shoot; but they will shoot anything smaller and accurately. Ted Smith Jr

There can be a problem with too much spin, if the bullet is not balanced well, beyond blowing up. That is usually not a problem with recent bullets.
 
If your shooting for Long Range accuracy I just assumed that you'd be using the finest bullets available to you. When shooting a very long range bullet, most of them are very long in comparison to a Spitzer or FB. I shoot .17, .30, and .243 cal. Match Grade Bullets that REQUIRE a FASTER TWIST by the manufacturer to properly stabilize their bullets for Maximum accuracy at any range. However you can still shoot smaller length bullets with impressive results. Of course if your driving them at Mach 4 or 5 they're gonna BLOW! Once you reach 2800 fps velocity the core becomes LIQUID! KEEP increaseing velocity and sooner than later you'll see a little white cloud about 70 yards down range. Thats your BULLET coming APART! NOTHING MAN MADE can take that kind of heat, pressure and velocity unless you get it from NASA, and I'm certain they're not in the bullet business as of yet! :) Anyhow back to your needs, if you're considering buying a new barrel why not go for the faster twist and have it throated. This way you can shoot a variety of bullets given your quarry. The throating will help out for longer Match grade and VLD designed bullets, while still being able to pop a Ballistic Tip in there to vaporize Varmints with! Shooting can easily turn into a cash demanding hobby, (Or Habit with me) which can lead to arguments with wifey, problems paying the bills on time, laying awake in bed at night and walking around scheming on how to manage a way to pay for that new Night Force scope, or that new Sig Saur Kilo Range Finder, or that new Night Vision Varmint Glass..... You see where I'm going. Keep it in Perspective. Within your budget and income. Go with the faster twist and you'll not be disappointed. Unless you just hit the Lottery! Then by all means buy a different barrel or complete rig for that matter for each and every bullet you wanna shoot! By the way if you do that PLEASE stock up on a bullet you BUILD a rifle for; I built 2 on Berger's 37 gr. VLD ONLY to have him STOP making them. Lucky I bought 1600 on my first purchase! Ted Smith Jr
PS: If you did just HIT the LOTTERY, do you need a NEW BEST FRIEND?
 
Last edited:
Warning! This thread is more than 8 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