Good twist rate for .300 WM?

[SouthTXBowhunter]

What's a good twist rate for a .300 WM if you're wanting to shoot heavier grain bullets?

If you get a twist rate that suits a 200gr bullet, will you get a cruddy group with a lighter round- like a 150gr? How bad will it be?

My brother and I are wondering what barrel twist to look for in a .300 WM if he wants to shoot both ends of the spectrum.

Sorry for the newbie question, but I guess that's how you learn.

 

[Broz]

I think you would be plenty happy with a 1 in 10 twist for both.

Jeff

 

[SouthTXBowhunter]

I think you would be plenty happy with a 1 in 10 twist for both.

Jeff

Jeff-

I was looking at a used Sendero in the classifieds and it has a 1 in 12 twist and the guy says it's a 'tack driver' with 168gr but not nearly to the same degree with 210gr. Does less twist favor a lighter bullet?

What do y'all think of a .300 WM with a 26" 1 in 12 fluted barrel? It has a bedded action in a McMillan stock and the current price is $750. Is that a good deal for a used rifle in good shape?

 

[ejones338]

I would have to agree on the 1 in 10. Generally you want to go with the twist rate best suited for the heaviest bullet that you plan to shoot. Although there can be some other factors to consider. I highly recommend checking out something like the lilja site and going to their FAQ page to get some great info.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Broz is right on. The 1-10 is the best for both. The 1-12 would not be good for the 200. I agree with all. Twist for the heaviest bullet you plan to shoot and it will shoot the 150. If you are shooting the 150 do a 1-14 twist. But it will not shoot the 200.

 

[davewilson]

i have a friend that has a 60 lb long range gun with an 8 twist. he shoots the 300SMK's which will stabilize with a 11 twist. last summer he put 6 shots in a .086 group at 100 yards. most seem to be able to get great accuracy by spinning the bullet way too much. but don't spin them even a little bit less than what they need.

 

[Michael Eichele]

10x is a bit steep for my taste. 11 will handle any 210 and 220 with ease and wont be too hash with the 150's either. If you want to go over 220, then go with the 10x.

BTW, a 12x will stabilize a 200 AB just fine.

 

[jwp475]

BTW, a 12x will stabilize a 200 AB just fine.

How far out will it stabilize the 200 grainer? I remember Bill Baily shootin 240 SMK's out of a 300 RUM and they were fine until he got out far enough and then they lost stability. I am a little lost with use the minimum twist that one might get away with.

IMHO it is hard to beat a 10 twist in 30 cal. for an all around use

 

[trueblue]

I agree that a 1:11 twist will stabilize a 200gr AB, however I would go with a 1:10 twist. Why use a borderline twist rate when there is no harm in a slightly faster twist to make sure you stablilize the bullet. At the velocities you are dealing with in a 300WM, the 1:10 twist is the way to go. If the rifle your buying is a "tack driver w/ 168gr" there would be nothing wrong with buying it. A 168gr Berger is a great bullet for deer or elk. I would however verify that what the guy is telling you is corect before I bought it.

 

[BountyHunter]

A 10, or 11 or even a 12 will work. The 12 is limited with anything with anything 220 and above though.

We have 1-11 and 1-12s shooting 208s and 210s all the time at max accuracy at 1k BR. We even have 1-13 and 1-14s shooting the 187s with phenominal accuracy with a 300 ack imp.

I have shot 240s in the 10 very well.

The key is what will be the max weight and then decide. If it is 210s, then I would go with 1-11.

The 1-11 will give a less pressure and more MV generally.

Either way, with a win mag the 10 or 11 will work with up to 220s, if not has nothing to do with the twist. that barrel just will not shoot that bullet which happens no matter what the twist.

BH

 

[liltank]

I would parrot everything that has been said. If you buy that rifle, ask for some targets to see what it is capable of and at what yardage. Also take it for a test drive. See if he will let you take it out because of it already being used. Doesn't hurt to ask. You may not like the rifle in the first shot. Do some research on twist rates. I took a 1:10 because I knew I was eventually getting into heavier projectiles. The 1:12 should get you up to 180grn w/o any issues. You will have to experiment as to how heavy you can go.

Tank

 

[Michael Eichele]

How far out will it stabilize the 200 grainer? I remember Bill Baily shootin 240 SMK's out of a 300 RUM and they were fine until he got out far enough and then they lost stability. I am a little lost with use the minimum twist that one might get away with.

IMHO it is hard to beat a 10 twist in 30 cal. for an all around use

I have shot the 200 AB in a 12x out to 800 yards at sea level in 20 degree air. I cannot vouch for any farther as I never tested them farther. They were perfect to 800.

I agree with other posts. Decide what the heaviest bullet you intend to shoot and go from there.

 

[dkhunt14]

How far out will it stabilize the 200 grainer? I remember Bill Baily shootin 240 SMK's out of a 300 RUM and they were fine until he got out far enough and then they lost stability. I am a little lost with use the minimum twist that one might get away with.

IMHO it is hard to beat a 10 twist in 30 cal. for an all around use

The 240 smk needs a 10 twist to stabilize. 210 will stabilize in a 11 twist.

 

[ejones338]

10x is a bit steep for my taste. 11 will handle any 210 and 220 with ease and wont be too hash with the 150's either. If you want to go over 220, then go with the 10x.

BTW, a 12x will stabilize a 200 AB just fine.

I have to politely disagree. I believe a 10x will stabilize a 150 well, but for accuracy I would never shoot a 12x for 200 grain bullets, it probably wouldn't be a first choice for 180's either. In fact nearly any factory rifle comes with and most barrel manufacturers tend to recommend 1 in 10 for most purposes up to 200 grain.