1:12" twist in a short 308 Win barrel?

[Jayjay1]

Hey guys,
for hunting in the woods (distances 200yds and less), I have found two rifles in 308 Win which I´m very interested in.

Both of them have 20" with a 1:12" twist.
I would prefer a 1:10" twist, but I would also prefer to be rich, but I´m not.

What bullet weights can be stabilized in this long twists?
I´m thinking to shoot up to 170gr. jacketed lead bullets and up to 155gr. solids (which are mandatory in some states over here).

So, must I give up on those two favorite rifles of mine, or do you think it will be fine?

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

You should be good across the board as I use to do a 20" 12 T to a grand, with 175 smks

 

[JR1200W3]

That twist rate is what I would choose for something like a FTR .308 setup for 155's at 2900fps. I have a 29" barrel in 1:12" that I do just that with. I also have a 1:12" on a 300BO for supersonic only 110gr bullets. I would also do a 14.5" or 16" LR308 in 1:12 for 130gr or 147's.

For hunting, if you have access to them, I highly recommend the Barnes 130gr TTSX. They would do well in that barrel.

 

[nn8734]

Hey guys,
for hunting in the woods (distances 200yds and less), I have found two rifles in 308 Win which I´m very interested in.

Both of them have 20" with a 1:12" twist.
I would prefer a 1:10" twist, but I would also prefer to be rich, but I´m not.

What bullet weights can be stabilized in this long twists?
I´m thinking to shoot up to 170gr. jacketed lead bullets and up to 155gr. solids (which are mandatory in some states over here).

So, must I give up on those two favorite rifles of mine, or do you think it will be fine?

The 169 smk would do nicely in a 12 twist bbl if target shooting to a grand or so becomes part of the plan at some point. The 12 twist will also stablize 185 Berger jugs; you'll need an 11 or 10 for anything longer/heavier.

 

[powdahound76]

Already said, you can do plenty with a 1/12.

And 20” aint short…

Shot a 1/12 20” to 900 with 168 fgmm a few times.
6,000 ft ASL helps….

 

[TicTacTex]

Inside of 200 yards, I don’t think barrel twist is going to matter a whole lot with either projectile you’re shooting.

All of my rifles are 10 twist, but range between 16”-20” in barrel length. I mostly run 175 grain SMK through those, but have a pile of 155 grain Nosler custom comps that I bought back when they were cheap.
I have another action on the way, and I’m thinking about barreling it to suit those 155’s for target shooting. I know .308 is pretty forgiving, so almost any twist at any length would do well, but I’m leaning toward a 26” 11.25 twist and see how they run.

 

[JR1200W3]

 

[nn8734]

View attachment 8317264

Run those 185 jug numbers again, only do 2550 mv-wonder if the stability rating changes...a decent SS match bbl should be able to get to that MV safely though at least 2600 is ideal.

Im assuming you posted those in response to my above...

 

[FuhQ]

I have Berger 210 VLD and Nosler 210 RDF loads for my R700 5R Milspec with a 22" 11.25" twist barrel, and it stabilizes them at 100-200 yards with no issues. So, at your hunting distances, you should be more than fine up to that. I know it's only considered marginally stable, but for short distance hunting (inside of 300 yards) it should be fine if you wanted to go heavy to really anchor them.

On the other hand, 168, 175, and 185's have done a fine job for me over the years in .308 Win, as well. I've put plenty in the freezer with a 168 from a 20" barrel.

Get some Lapua Palma (SRP) .308 Win brass, and some Varget, and a CCI 400 primer, and you'll be set. I load for 39 grains of Varget and seat them to where they fit and feed in the mag, and they run great.

My 16" Christensen Arms MPR .308 with a 1:10 twist loves them, too...