308 with 20" bbl. and 1-12 twist rate. how heavy can I go. can I stableize 180's with this bbl. and twist, and to what range? Thanks,
LarryT

quote:

can I stableize 180's with this bbl. and twist,

best answer I can give you is maybe.....it's close at best!

The 12" twist will stabilize 180 gr bullets at factory velocities just fine. You may have some problems with the VLD type though. You should also not have any problems with 200 gr RNs. How far? Assuming you mean how far will the bullet remain stabile? Until they drop below the speed of sound at least. My SWAG is that is a lot farther than you want to shoot any big game with your short barreled .308W. If you are using match bullets then the 175 MK at 2500 fps (pushing it in a 20" barrel) or so will get you to 900 yards+/- without stability problems.

Larry Gibson

thanks for the response, i'm not shooting more than 200yrds with this load. i want to be sure i am consisant. where im hunting with this set up i can't track in the swamps i will have a hard time getting them out. i set up in one place and shoot to another but i must be able to get my boat there. if they go very far it will be very soft ground with no boat access, difficult to get them out.this is why i am looking for a heaver bullet and better kill.

quote:

this is why i am looking for a heaver bullet and better kill.

get some 180s and try them.....if you have trouble just find some bonded 150s....these were ideal for the 1-12 twist.....

Another possibility...use 180 round nose....for 200 yards they are deadly and reliable! Pointed bullets offer very little more at 200 yards!