I'm looking at a Kimber Montana 308 (Little Sky - grins) and noticed it comes with a 1-12" twist. Strikes me as a silly twist for a hunting rifle when the standard for 150's - 200's has always been the 1-10".

Anyway, I'd like to hear what bullet weight's anyone using the rifle (or any 1-12" 308) is using and what accuracy has been like.

I've no doubt a 150 TSX will work but would like to use the 168 TSX and 180 Partition as well.

Thanks...

308 for most manufactuers has been 1 in 12. Allows them to push velocity closer to 30-06 plus it was the government standard for 308 military. 1 in 12 will stabilize any 30 caliber up to 190gr and most 200gr. I have shot 190SMKs in my 1 in 12 308 long range bench gun for years. It is more the overall length of the projectile than the weight. Some low drag variations (longer) take more twist. The TSX and Partition you mention will work just fine. I'll be that 180 in a Kimber Montana will at least get your attention on recoil.

Great information obviously based on solid experience... just what I was looking for.

Also, I've always wondered whether the lesser twist allowed for a bit more velocity... you answered that unasked question to boot.

Thanks!

Brad

PS, regarding the 308/180 recoil. I shoot a Kimber MT 300 WSM which, at the bench, weigh's under 7lbs... My load is a 180 at 2,950. The stock design is so intelligent (negative comb, 1" Pachmayer Pad) that it's suprisingly mild and shootable. I expect roughly the same from the lighter 308 but will probably use (mostly) 150's...

Hi,
My Kimber in 308 shoots 150 grain bullets with great accuracy. When I aquired it it came with a box of Rem 150 grain PSP. It shot half inch groups right out of the box. Recoil is light. The little rifle is just great!

1:10 was standard in the 30-03 because it was designed to use the Krag's 220-gr. bullet. Three years later the Government rethought that big ol' bullet, set all those 1903 Springfield barrels back, and rechambered them for the 30-06. When the 7.62x51 came long in 1954 they went to a 1:12 twist.

My Dad was a big National Match shooter about that time. He once told me that a few Garands were rebarreled with 1:12 barrels chambered for 30-06. The AMTU guys liked them enough to recommend that all M-1's be rebarreled to 1:12, but the M-14 was coming on too strong for it to happen.

In my experience, 1:12 seems to get a bit more speed with standard-weight bullets. I've only had three or four 308's. One was 1:10 and the rest were 1:12. They all shot so well that I didn't fiddle with them much. My current M-70 308 is a tack-driver, and has a 1:12 twist. I've also had two 1:12 Huskvarna 30-06's. After bedding and free-floating, both were honest 1-MOA rifles with 180-gr. Federal factory ammo.


Okie John

Thanks guys. The fret-o-meter is officially off

Funny, I've loaded for and shot six different 308's and most had a 1-10" twist. Not sure about all of them tho... probably one or two had the 1-12" and I never noticed. The 308 is the easiest BG cartridge to load for I've ever used.