Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

[Tangodown911]

I have decided that I need a custom rifle that will satisfy my specs for accuracy beyond what a factory job can do, so a custom build is in the works. I've been through two 5Rs and neither are preictable enough to trust 100%. they are rather finicky with brass, but that is a different topic. I do however have a 700P .308 which I use as my work gun and it will drill dimes at a drop of a hat at 100 yards...Jonny on the spot shooter. So I know it's not me...most of the time.

My intention is to build a solid 1K gun. No I will most likely utilize the rifle from 100-600 90% of the time but I will shoot at 1K here and there.

What I have so far, it will be in .308 on a 591 s/a, krieger 5R MTU stinless cut to 22-24",seated in a McMillan A5. But I am unsure of the best twist rate. I intend to shoot 175 SMK and Bergers 175 BT long range bullet. Some say 1/12" will do and others say 1/11". So I'm at a stand still over this. All is ordered and on its way including the barrel with a 1/11" twist rate but of course I can change that. So if you guys have any pointers, I would appreciate it.

ETA: I'm looking for this rifle to be somewhat handy, hence the 22-24" barrel and well balanced. Also any pointers on triggers? Particular model #'s for makes will greatly help. It's pretty much down to a shilen or a jewell at about 1.5-2.0 lbs. Anyone know if buying the stainless shilen is worth the money over the blued?

 

[buckey]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

If you want to shoot the "heavies" out of the .308 = go with a 1-10" twist.

If you want shoot anything up to around the 175's, then I'd go 1-11" or 1-11.25" twist.

 

[rsilvers]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

For your goals I would suggest 1:10. If your barrel was shorter or you wanted to go over 175, I would look for even faster than 1:10.

 

[jrpilot]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

1-10 twist

 

[BruxBarrels]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I say lengthen the barrel to 26 and go 1-11

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

Thanks for the replies and keep em coming. I think I am going to settle on the Jewell but I'm still unsure of the twist rate.

 

[Guest]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I've a 12 twist, 22" tube .308 win that gets to 1300 yds with 175 smks.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

When I shoot a 308 it had a 1-12 twist and shoot 175's like a freak. Frankly, 1-10 will do what ever you desire, 150's to 210's

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

1 in 10 for the heavies.

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1 in 10 for the heavies. </div></div>

Are you considering the 175smk or berger as "heavies" or are you meaning 190's 200's...etc.?

 

[rsilvers]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I consider a heavy .308 to be a 200 or more.
190 is the upper end of medium.

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

Stainless over blued every time.

 

[swd]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

1-12", no need to over over twist.

 

[rsilvers]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

1:6 would be over twist. 1:10 is not even close to being over twisting.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I vote 10 twist seems like the most versatile.

 

[GRIM]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I just ordered a similar setup. Big Horn Arms action / Jewell trigger / 28" barrel (easier to cut it down than ...) / 1:11 twist as I specified 175 SMK's as the bullet of choice. Will easily go to 1000 yds.

 

[Supersubes]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I don't think it will matter much between 10-12 twist. The two 12 twist .308's I have played with recently shot 175's fine although I shoot 155's generally. My AW and AE are 12's I believe, and they shoot everything to 175's just fine.

 

[rsilvers]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

Shooting them ok often just means it was warm out. Twist should be selected to work in the coldest temp. I set up mine for 0 degrees F but military twists should be set up to work to colder temps. 1:14 twist was thought to be fine for 55 grain 5.56mm at first.

 

[McKinneyMike]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I would like to know your impression of the Big Horn action. I like the design of this action, but know little about them or the action itself. Not much out there to see yet.

 

[GRIM]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: McKinneyMike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would like to know your impression of the Big Horn action. I like the design of this action, but know little about them or the action itself. Not much out there to see yet. </div></div>

Fortunately I live close enough to drive over to one of the fellows (Mark Chanlynn) that makes it. The second I saw one of his actions I was hooked. Mark knows what he's doing as he's a barrel maker and a competitive shooter and has been for 'bout 40 years so I listen to every word he says.

I've got a couple of tack driving Rem 700's (21" to 25" barrels) and love them but I can't wait to get shooting Mark's creation. Usually during one of my custom rifle builds I stick my fingers into the pie too much and dork up some part of the build. When he was asking me what I wanted I kept telling him to build it as if it was his. All that I told him was that I wanted to shoot SMK 175's beyond 1000 yds.

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I went with the Jewell trigger, very nice and for the same price as the stainless Shilen!

 

[TrooperBrian]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I'd say 1:10, its what I bought.

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

You guys just about have me convinced with the 1-10 idea. Are we sure that isn't too much twist for 175s? I mean too much as in would spin drift come into play with the 1-10. More spin...more spin drift. I know very little to nothing about this. Should I be concerned?

 

[rsilvers]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

It depends on the barrel length. For a very short barrel I would say it is too little.

For most barrels I would say it is just right.

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

I think I am leaning more towards 24" total 23" from the lug. I wouldn't consider that short. If I were cutting it down to 21 or even 20 I would definitely see the advantage of 1-10."

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When I shoot a 308 it had a 1-12 twist and shoot 175's like a freak. Frankly, 1-10 will do what ever you desire, 150's to 210's </div></div>

I've heard some say the 1-10 is too much for the 155 palmas and scenars

 

[gits]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

This is just the thread I was looking for, which I happen to be doing the same thing. And I too have been conflicted on which barrel twist to look into. Think a 1-11.25 from Krieger may be a viable option?

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Advice on twist rate for first custom build?

Here is a great thread that covers twist rate as it relates to accuracy. Basically, at long range (1,000 yards) 1:10" is going to be better, but it will limit accuracy at the short range. When do you need accuracy? All things considered, you probably need it at long range, but if you don't plan on going to 1,000, then 1:11" will work just fine.

The other consideration, apart from the weight of the bullet and the range is that a faster twist will shoot VLD's better.