I have a Tikka Varmint .308 with an 11 twist and have been loading a 168 grain Nosler BTHP with 42 grains of H4895. This combo has worked well for me and, though I am a novice, I have been able to get below MOA at 100 and 200 yards. This is mainly due to the Tikka which was recommended to me by my local gun shop.

I am a new member of a local club and one of the older members suggested I try 180 grain. I purchased Hornady 180 grain SP and, per the specs in my Lee Reloading Manual, started with 40 grains of H4895. I shot 2 rounds of 5 shots at the 100 yard range and both were all over the place with the groups being about 4-5 inches. Another "older" older member questioned why I was shooting 180 grain with an 11 twist. I couldn't give him an answer.

I was going to start increasing the amount of H4895 1/2 grains at a time up to 42 for each 5 shot group. But first I thought I would get some additional information.

I have tried to find something on the forum close to this subject and the question of 11 twist has been discussed, though not for my particular cartridge. I would welcome some feedback on this as I would like to be able to use the remaining 90 bullets.

Thanks

I have allways had better accuracy with the 165gr.SPBT Hornady bullets than the 180gr.sp. in 30-06,,,for a 180gr. bullet nosler & plain ol'remington core-loks have been very accurate,but different rifles do prefer one over the other most times..worst accuracy i ever had was with the old black box winchester supremes 1980's era in a winchester supergrade rifle of all things,it would drive tacks with any thing else but not with winchester brand ammmo..also try imr4831 powder in the 30-06 and see if that helps...good luck!

Your 11" twist should be plenty for 180gr bullets. Were they Interlocks or SST's. The SST's are about the longest 180 gr lead core .30 bullets I have seen. I've gotten excellent accuracy from Hornady 180 bullets in both 10" and 12" twist barrels. 165 or 150 grain bullets make more sense in a .308 than 180's for hunting.

180's shoot fine in my 12" twist barrel.

Since you are new at your club, I would bet it is to see how you handle the recoil. I have found the .308 is great w/ 165..168gr. My BLR seems to like 150gr. Don't worry what folks tell you is better, use what works best for you. JP

In order to offer any meaningful advice on bullet selection, you need to say what it is you wish to accomplish with your bullet? Kill and elephant? Skewer a groundhog? Explode a prairie dog? Make a hole in some paper? Bring home some venison? Say what, then we'll talk bullets.

Your 1-11" twist (if that's what it is, have you actually measured it? -- never mind, it doesn't matter) is fully adequate to stabalize any reasonably conventional 180 grain spitzer bullet.

The standard Hornady "Interlock" bullet is one that is not particularly famed for its accuracy and from which you should not expect "benchrest" accuracy, although it does exhibit good terminal performance on game and will easily provide passable "minute of elk" accuracy in most guns. Guns are individuals and some will love it and some will hate it.

Whatever your problem, it is not one of twist. Blaming twist rates, particularly slower twist rates, for accuracy problems is currently in vogue, a fad which will undoubtedly fade as some other misunderstood and more arcane factor gains currency among the gullible.