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Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

error4o4

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 20, 2010
101
0
40
NE KS, USA
I recently purchased a Remington 700 in .308win, and would like to shoot 175gr. Ideally, I'd like to hear input from someone with experience with this round before I invest the time/money. My concern is that the rifle wears a 26" heavy contour barrel, and has a 1 in 12". I've heard concerns about 168gr. and heavier loads in this barrel due to it's relatively slow twist. Will the 1 in 12" be sufficient to stabilize 175gr. Sierra Match King?
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

You should be fine with 175SMK's. I wouldn't recommend 1:12 as the best for anything longer than that though (11.25 or less for VLD/Amax types).
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

You should be OK with 1:12. Probably wouldn't work too well for heavier pills though. A 1:10 or 1: 11 may be more ideal if you are planning to shoot heavies, but for lighter weight bullets around 155gr, the 1:12 will work great.
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

MontanaMarine has been shooting 208 grain Amax with a stock 12 twist well over 1000 with no ill effects. I have gone as heavy as 190, no problems there either.
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

I shoot the same barrel and I shoot the 175 Mk's. It works well to 1k. I'm loading with RL-15 @45.6 gr. Gives me 2637 fps.
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

My rifle has the factory one in twelve twist and it loves the 175 SMK.
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

Theoretically, 1:11.25 is ideal for 175s.

In practice, unless you are shooting at sea level in dry conditions in seriously negative dF temperatures, you will be fine.

Most people don't understand the atmospheric side of the twist requirements.
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

Awesome. Thanks for all the input. According to these responses, and a number of other resources (Berger website, etc.) I'm going to start working up a load based on 175's... results to come soon. :-D
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?


Im about 1000 feet above sea level and a 5r, 1:11.25 twist is perfect for reaching out there to 1k+
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

1-13 shooting 187bibs past 1000 no problems.
 
Re: Necessary twist for .308 175gr...?

Well, I found an awesome deal on Black Hills Gold 155gr. AMAX, so I bought a few boxes. This at least buys me some time.

As far as 175's are concerned... AMAX? SMK? VLD? Who likes what, and what recipe's have you used in what rifle?