Twist rate for 338 Federal?

[Randy Tidwell]

Good morning everyone,

I am heading down the path for two new projects. Both on SA Mod 70s, my favorite action. Both of these rifles will be used for Whitetail at 300 yard max here in OK.

First is going to be a 25 Souper with an 8 twist Shaw barrel. I built a 25 Souper a few years ago for my buddy in CA with a 9 twist Bartlin that is an amazing shooter.

The other project is in the development stage.

The rifle will be a 338 Federal that I plan on shooting nothing heavier that 200 grain pills. More than likely, it will see 185's the most.
This little cartridge should push a 185 out of a 22" barrel approx. 2600 fps

I'm toying with twist rate, my knee jerk is run a 10 twist, but also thinking about trying to make the longer for weight mono Barnes TTSX or Hammer bullets perform.

Any thoughts on barrel twist will be greatly appreciated.

Randy

 

[trappererick]

My 338 Federal had a 1:10 and shot both the Barnes 160's and 185's into tiny groups. Never shot the Hammers but suspect they will perform. This was from a 20" Preferred Barrel on a Kelbly SA.

 

[Randy Tidwell]

Thank you. Using one of the twist calculators showed a 14 twist? I thought that was too slow.

Will prib settle on a 10 twist.

 

[Fish4Food]

No clue, but I'm following.

Thinking of either sending my barrel to JES to get rebored; or a new barrel.

 

[softtail103]

My GAP 338 Fed is a 1-10 twist. I run Federal Fusion ammo with 200gr bullets at 2661 fps.

 

[wvbearhunter]

My Rem 700 with Criterion barrel is a 1:10 twist.

 

[HARPERC]

Go faster! It won't hurt with the bullets you're speaking of, and keeps the option of playing with others open.

 

[06 SB]

I have had two barrels that are 1:10 twist and never had any issue on bullets up to 210 Nosler Partition. My third that I just ordered also has a 1:10.

 

[med358-boise]

There is really no down side to going 1:8. It is almost impossible to "over twist" a projectile. Yes it can be done at very high velocities and very high twist rates but there is no way a 338 federal will even approach those velocities.

 

[MachV]

Tikka runns twelve twist. Mine shoots the 165 barns and 200 speer hot cores well.
Lota gun for deer and a long range unit it aint, use mine for Grizz county and timber elk.