Barrel twist rate

Sheppard391

Private
Minuteman
Apr 30, 2019
4
0
hey, my apologies this has probably been asked many times before but i couldn't seem to find anything specific to my question (probably looking in the wrong spot), anyway my question is what is the best way to work out an ideal barrel twist rate for a purpose. i know i can just go online and see what everyone else is using but someone had to be the first guy to work it out right? im looking at using either a 140 or 147 ELD match in 6.5 creedmoor for target shooting Just for some context to my question. cheers guys
 
Bringing this to the top with my question. My new (to me) 300 wsm has a 1:11 twist. All of the specs I see on these threads and on Mfr websites talk about much faster twists like 1:8.

What will be the consequences or bullet limitations of my 1:11 twist?

Talking only factory ammo for me. I have been using 150 gr Winchester ballistic silvertip on my other 300 wsm, a sako finnlight, and was just going to stay with that for starters.
 
Bringing this to the top with my question. My new (to me) 300 wsm has a 1:11 twist. All of the specs I see on these threads and on Mfr websites talk about much faster twists like 1:8.

What will be the consequences or bullet limitations of my 1:11 twist?

Talking only factory ammo for me. I have been using 150 gr Winchester ballistic silvertip on my other 300 wsm, a sako finnlight, and was just going to stay with that for starters.
you're more than fine with 11 and 150s

get up to the 200 215 230 and you'll want faster
 
Bringing this to the top with my question. My new (to me) 300 wsm has a 1:11 twist. All of the specs I see on these threads and on Mfr websites talk about much faster twists like 1:8.

What will be the consequences or bullet limitations of my 1:11 twist?

Talking only factory ammo for me. I have been using 150 gr Winchester ballistic silvertip on my other 300 wsm, a sako finnlight, and was just going to stay with that for starters.

I am running 190 vlds in an 11 twist with very good results.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zog and b6graham
you're more than fine with 11 and 150s

get up to the 200 215 230 and you'll want faster
Thanks for the quick answer - but it leads me to two questions -

Why would somebody shoot such heavy bullets, or why might I want to? Is that how much weight it takes to make the long super-ballistic bullets with less wind drift?

What is the advantage of slower twist? Why not make them all 1:8 or faster so they can shoot any bullet?

Sorry, my questions might belong down in the stupid question forum.
 
Last edited:
more energy on target
higher BC means less drop and/or less wind

but there is a point where too heavy is simply too heavy for the powder pushing it

you can overspin bullets and make them explode just by too many RPMs. and with extra speed you can also use a slightly slower twist. play with the berger stability calculator

a stock 300WSM is meant for hunting. not target shooting. so a 150 or even 175 will be fine from an 11 twist

look at a 22-250 with a 9 or 12 twist? it cant take advantage of 88 or 90 or 95gr bullets until you get to a 7 twist
 
  • Like
Reactions: zog
I believe the original question was for a 6.5 Creedmoor running 140 or 147 grain ELD bullets. The "normal" twist on a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel is 1 in 8, and that is just fine for running the 140 or 147 grain bullets.

Some competitors are starting to run 1 in 7.5 barrels in 6.5 creedmoor but that is typically to run bullets in the 150 or higher grain range like the new 150 grain Sierra Match King. Then there are also "gain twist" barrels that can run a wider variety of weights.
 
I went with a Bartlien 1-7.5 twist for my first 65CM build.
After a lot of reading and research I figured it would allow me to use the heaviest offerings and wouldn't handicap me if I wanted to run the 130 class of bullets.
Part of the decision was also that I had no intention to run a really long barrel and settled on 23" as it seemed the best combination of compact and balance without giving up much performance.
With the 150smk loaded with a moderate charge of H4350 at 41.2 grains and .015" jump in new Lapua brass averaged 2675fps.