Twist Rate for Short Range .308

[mongo4567]

I have an 18 and 20" that are 10 twist. Both of them shoot 168/165 bullets into one hole, but about 2" groups or more with anything I've tried in the 150grn weight. I have a 26" with a 12 twist that shoots the 125s also into one hole, but doesn't much like the 150s either.

I have an 11 twist barrel I'm going to use on a AR for some of the 147grn NATO stuff I have stacked up.

If you are planning on using the 168 range, I would go with 10 twist.

 

[waveslayer]

There's a reason special ops went with the MRAD chambered in 17" 1/8 twist barrel, 300 Norma and the 338 Norma. With what others have posted, the faster twist allows for use of light to very heavy pills. Mine shoots all sub MOA all day long with light bullets to 240 grain subs.

 

[redneckdan]

Can't really offer much that helps since you don't reload.

For what you are looking to do, I really like the 125gr bullets. Personal preference is the TNT and 2nd choice is the NBT. I'm choosy with my shots and hunt for meat. Whitetail and antelope.

 

[spladi]

Hey y'all, I'm looking at some proof barrels for a short range (300yds and in) .308 for whitetails. My initial plan was to go with the 20" Sendero light with the 1:10 twist but came across an 18" Sendero with a 1:8 twist. I like the idea of getting this thing as short as possible since I'll be shooting suppressed. What if any difference am I looking at here by going with the shorter barrel with the faster twist? Looking forward to the thoughts from the guru's

Thanks!

Other than lower velocity with heavy's I don't see any problem

 

[danajm]

I used an 8 twist on my 20" 308. Shoots 175-185 like a lazer. Shoots 185 bergers at 2730fps on top of a particular powder out of that 20". I don't think I'll ever build another one with a slower twist...

 

[Teri Anne]

Hey y'all, I'm looking at some proof barrels for a short range (300yds and in) .308 for whitetails. My initial plan was to go with the 20" Sendero light with the 1:10 twist but came across an 18" Sendero with a 1:8 twist. I like the idea of getting this thing as short as possible since I'll be shooting suppressed. What if any difference am I looking at here by going with the shorter barrel with the faster twist? Looking forward to the thoughts from the guru's

Thanks!

The 1:10 twist in .30 cal is pretty much the standard and is the most accurate from 150 gr up to 200 gr. Of the bullet weights the 165 and 180 are the most accurate and in a good rifle with good ammo will print less than 1MOA without fail. They will result any Whitetail or Muley to go down for the count with one well placed shot without fail. My preference in the 308 or 30-06 is the Nosler Partition 165 gr. The 300 Win mag seems to prefer the 180's My advice is not to try to overthink things. Stick with the proven and don't overspend on the rifle and put a cheap scope on top of it.

 

[JAYgs8163]

I shoot a 18" 10 twist. Shoots everything from 130's to 190's with excellent results. My favorite load is with the 130 Barnes TTSX running 3100 FPS. Shoots bug holes and is good to 600 yards. Also loves the 168 AMAX/ELDX with Varget. Usually need faster powder in your short barrel rifles so keep this in mind. I run AA2460 with the 130 TTSX.

 

[ZAK13]

As others have stated, I would stick with a 1:10 twist.

 

[Dolch]

1:10
Mine shoots 150's, 165's & 180's equally well

 

[30BR]

Other than lower velocity with heavy's I don't see any problem

Which, in itself, is a reason to go to the 8 twist. Bullet stabilization is related to rpm, so with lower velocities from the shorter barrel, going to an 8 twist will put some of the lost spin back into the projectile.