What is the longest bullet I can shoot out of a Sako AV in 338WM and still have it stabilize adequetly for big game (African PG and Large NA game)? I think it has a 1-12 twist but not sure. Thanks.

I have got a Mod. 70 338 and it would not shoot the 275 A-frames nor the 240 grain Northforks. The Northforks are long for their weight. I did not try the 250 A-frames. The 225's shoot great.

Wayne

My AV loves 250 grain partitions, at least on paper. If the elk cooperate, I'll tell you more later. I've had good luck with IMR 4350, RL 19, and VV N-160. I'm still doing some fine tuning with Sierra's 215 grain bullet. Probably won't happen this year, but I'd like to try Nosler's 225 Accubond.

bulldog, who's mounts & rings did you use on your AV? I went with the optilocks, but am unhappy as even the low rings are too tall. Next week that will be fixed with a set of Conetrol rings & bases. I chose Leupold's VXIII in 4.5X14 LR, what did you mount?
Yes, the AV does have a 1-12" twist.
Just curious,
buckshot

My Ruger M77 will shoot Woodleigh 300gr JSP well at about 2475fps.
-Mike

I'd be more willing to be it is a 10 twist but odder things have happened.

300 Sierra MK has always shot very well in my 340's that have always been 10 twists.

Mark D

The 300gr serria match kings are most likely the longest the shoot well in my ruger 77MkII.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Dobrenski:
I'd be more willing to be it is a 10 twist but odder things have happened.

300 Sierra MK has always shot very well in my 340's that have always been 10 twists.

Mark D

You may be right about it being a 1-10 twist. All the current Sako 75's I could find on the net in 338WM were 1-10 so it would make sense that the AV is also.

I am looking for the maximum length bullet I can hunt with. Anybody know?

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:
My AV loves 250 grain partitions, at least on paper. If the elk cooperate, I'll tell you more later. I've had good luck with IMR 4350, RL 19, and VV N-160. I'm still doing some fine tuning with Sierra's 215 grain bullet. Probably won't happen this year, but I'd like to try Nosler's 225 Accubond.

bulldog, who's mounts & rings did you use on your AV? I went with the optilocks, but am unhappy as even the low rings are too tall. Next week that will be fixed with a set of Conetrol rings & bases. I chose Leupold's VXIII in 4.5X14 LR, what did you mount?
Yes, the AV does have a 1-12" twist.
Just curious,
buckshot

Are you sure it is a 1-12? I have just got the rifle but have Warne Mounts and a VX-3 2.5-8x36

Does anyone know, without a doubt, what the twist is in a Sako AV 338WM?

I know the Sako AV in 338 Winchester magnum does indeed have a 1-12" twist. According to the rates of twist tables in the Lyman Reloading Handbook, 46th edition, they say it has a 1-12" twist, as does the Browning.

With that said, don't let it scare you away from the heavy bullets as the AV may very well stabilize the long 300s. My old Ruger shot them well, but with the reduction in velocity I never thought the trade off for extra weight was worth it. With a sectional density of .313, premium 250s in the 338 Winchester will level anything you aim at, plus they will give you a flatter trajectory. Heck, that's more S/D then the 300 grain in the .375 H&H!

Thats strange that Sako wouldn't follow CIP spec for the 338 Win Mag which is 1:10. I guess they decided to change it from 1-12 with the AV to 1-10 with the 75.

heh

the longest bullet you can get, commerically, for a 338 says "barnes TSX" on the box

I was interested in finding out if the heavyweight woodleighs, GSC's and Northforks would be OK. the 240gr NF's are 1.395" which may be a bit long for a 1-12 twist I think.