At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

[SLUHstud]

Ok, I understand the what barrel twist rate is, and how the idea of a faster twist helps to keep heavier bullets stable in flight better. I am not sure I understand the thought of overstabalizing with a higher twist rate though, but that seems to be a thought that is out there. Anways it seems that most agree that the twist rate of your barrel should ideally be picked based on your bullet weight correct?

Now my question is this, I am in the hunt for a 308 barrel for a build. Among other things such as maker, tite bore or regular bore and contour one must also select twist. For a 308 twists vary for 1 in 12 to 1 in 10 for the most part. Looking around I can already see there can be an extremely long wait for a barrel blank from any number of top makers. Ober, rock, Bartlien, broughton and kriger are all backed up for example and one can wait 6 months to a year for one. In my looking i have located a few blanks for sale from individuals that they ordered and decided not to use, these are mostly rock and obermyer and krieger, and mostly in the 1 in 10 twist rates. I had hoped to get something in the 1 in 11 twist range thinking that the medium twist would allow me to use the widest range of bullet weights to find what the rifle likes best. However If i can get a 1 in 10 twist barrel right now with no wait, what do I lose as far as the usability of the barrel? Will i notice a differance? Will this twist rate change only show up if I am shooting 1000 yards plus?

Sorry for the semi noobish question, but just trying to find out if i can cut out some wait time on the build by snagging a blank from someone instead of waiting in line for one, and if there is any down side to the faster twist.

Mostly hoping to shoot 168+ SMK or similar bullets, ranges would be 100-600 yards, maybe longer on yearly trips with the buddies.

Thanks
Pat

PS i know favorite barrel makers are like asking ford vs chevy, or are the flavor of the month some times as what is the best, but does anyone have any regrets with an obermyer or rock barrel? I have a krieger in my mk12mod1 that i love and I have a broughton in my APA ar10 that is getting built, so I was thinking of trying something different with one of these two makers. Seems obermeyer was great, but cant find much recent about them. Rock seems to be good to go as well. Thoughts?

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

Get you a 10 twist and dont look back, you will have no problem shooting 150 up to 210's.

 

[jakerz3]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

168's seem to be best suited for 1:12 twist. Not to say they wont shoot well in your 1:10. Some good information on twist rates and round stability can be found here:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/06/calculating-bullet-rpm-spin-rates-and-stability/

 

[SScott]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

Get an 11.25, its a good comprimise.
I have had two of these and they both shot 168's great.
SScott

 

[SLUHstud]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

Thanks for the replies guys, but I guess I am just as lost still . So far there is a vote for each of the twists out there lol. I think the 1 in 10th or 1 in 11ish range sounds good. Any more info is appreciated .

Thanks
Pat

 

[jakerz3]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

I honestly think the differences will be marginal. Get the 1:10, and order you the 1:11. Sell the 1:10 when the 1:11 comes in... minus a few shots taken through her of course. You might find that the 1:10 does everything you need. Plus you can shoot it now.

 

[notquiteright]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

My 1 in 10 barrel shoots the 168Amax very well. (weller than I do)

My 1 in 12 barrel shoots the 168 Amax very well. (again the weller thing)

Dont get hung up on bullet wiegth as much as bullet length. Long bullets like faster twist rates. That said it takes alot to mess up a 308 bullet's stability.

I had an old 1 in 14.5" barrel. It flung the 165SMK in a mild loading to 600 yards as well as any other twist. At 1000 yards it was a shotgun.

So that taught me it doesnt matter a great deal what twist you pick. Go 1 in 10 if your going to use alot of longer bullets. Go 1 in 12 if your just staying with shorter hunting style bullets. Go 1 in 11.25 if you dither about this more than 2 days!

Good luck

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

The 1:10 would stabilize subsonics well if you decided to get a suppresor. The 1:12 would be borderline. The 1:10 will give you the most flexibility.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

Don't over think it. Get the 1:10 and quite worrying about it. I like Krieger barrels, they've worked well for me.

 

[GorbashUK]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

There is a 1:11 twist rate on my TRG22 and it shoots every head I have tried very well, from 155gr scenars to 175 gr SMK's

 

[lsm62]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

My 1:10 loves the 168 gr

 

[Lefty06]

Re: At what distance does barrel twist rate come in?

My savage 30-06 has a 1-10 and it shoots 168s good. My Remington 308 has a 1-12 and it too shoots the 168s good. Like others have said its more about bullet length. I think the 1-10 will let you shoot a wider range of bullets.