Prefered Bullet Weight For A Given Barrel Twist

rrogacki

george20042007 wrote:

I have to admit this is one subject I never gave much thought to. Since I don't have a custom gun and by off the shelf, I subscribe to trying out many different loads to see "what the gun likes". As most manufacturers build according to whats most likely out there in the way of ammo, and ammo manufacturers do something similar, it boils down to trial & error.

This is the reason why so many of us reload. It's part of the fun & with it comes bragging rights when you come up with the load of loads for a given gun. I do avoid thin jacketed bullets at all costs when it comes to small calibers of high velocities, it just makes sense.

I'd like to know how many of you are like me. Should we give barrel twist more consideration or see what the gun likes?
Keep it coming...

Consideration of the barrel twist is why I posted this topic. Very Happy

I think we should consider this in the formulation of a new load and while there have been some great replies I would really like to see some contrversial reccomendations that make us question our load development processes.

Live Long And Shoot Well

PaulS

The time to consider barrel twist is before you buy the gun. If you ar buying a varmint gun and plan on using short, light bullets for caliber then it really isn't important because the rifles are usually made to accomodate medium sized bullets and "too much" twist is always ok. (almost always)
If you are going to be shooting long spitzer boat tailed bullets that are heavy for caliber then you will need a gun that has the fastest twist you can find. Even that may not be fast enough and you may have to special order you gun with a faster twist than is commonly available. Most manufacturers have several twist rates available for the more discriminating shooter. It is worth the extra few dollars that a custom order barrel will cost you to be able to shoot the bullets that you want. If you are shooting any of the all copper bullets and you are going to use them in your new gun then you will need even more twist than might be "normal for a long, heavy bullet in that caliber. Of course you can always buy the gun with the wrong twist and put a custom barrel on after you find it won't shoot you favorite X bullet from Barnes but that is an expensive purchase that removes any warranty from the new gun. It is always better and cheeper to buy the gun with the barrel you need in place.

Accuracy13

If you look in the U.S. Armys M16A1/A2 Marksmanship manual it shows the difference that twist rate CAN effect accuracy. The example they are using is the 62gr SS109 shot through the old A1 barrel 1/12 twist and the newer A2 barrel 1/7 twist. The 1/12 does not stabalize the longer 62gr bullet as well. Also I have talked to the Tech reps at Berger Bullets in reference to .172 dia bullets for a .17 Ackley Hornet. It has a 1/10 twist, he stated that it would stabalize 25gr bullets ok but could not get a heavier bullet to go fast enough to stabalize. In fact he stated that they recommend a 1/6 twist for their 37gr VLD BT. I have also spoken with the Tech Reps at Sierra about bullets for my .300WM, I use 190gr MKs in a 1/10 twist barrel. And he stated that it would even stabalize their 220gr MKs if I wanted to use them. I own 6 .223 rifles 1=1/7 twist, 3=1/9 twist, 2=1/12 twist. They all shoot 50gr Hornady V-Maxs and Sierra BlitzKings just fine. However 68gr is usually about max weight in 1/9 and 55gr in 1/12. 1/7 shoots just about anything you want to stick in it. I have also talked to Tech Reps at Hornady about .243 bullets for my 6mmBR 1/10 twist. I use 75gr Hornady V-Maxs. He said that it would do fine with 100gr BTs but would not stabalize their 105gr A-Maxs, they are just a little too long for a 1/10 twist. In closing I would state that my experience and research concludes the too shoot a long bullet you need a fast twist, the same thing about everyone else has said. As for accuracy every rifle is different. They each like their own combination of bullet, powder and primer. Just experiment that is the fun of the game. Good Shooting!