What twist rate would you use for a .308 Winchester shooting 168- 180 grain bullets ?

Thanks, Lonnie

1 in 10", Jay

Lonnie,

I use 1-11"

Bob

Well, the original specs for the .308 Win. (pre-64 M70 FW rifle) called for 1/12" twist. This is good for all bullets, up to the 200 grain spitzer flatbase Win. used to load. But personally, I preferred a 1/10" so I could use 220-grain bullets too.

I don't think you will ever be able to tell the diff. between 1-10, 1-11, or even 1-12 with bullets smaller than the 180.

I went with the 1-11" on my Kostyshyn barrel for my .308 and that was simply because I have never tried that twist rate. I use 165-180 bullets also.

Lonnie,

The factory standard is 12" for the .308 Win. I have not needed a faster twist in any of my .308s, but I stick with 180 grain premium bullets.

jim

In an old Gun Digest, the author of the article worked that question out. He shot all weights of bullets from 110 to 220 in duplicate rifles to test for "what was the best twist." To make it short, he concluded 1-12 was the best, but in the weights you asked about it was nip and tuck as to what was the best. Lighter, the 1-12 won. Only in 220gr. bullets did the 1-10 come out the clear winner. I built a Model 70 pre '64 to duplicate the Marine Corps sniper riles of Korean war/early VN, complete with the proper Lyman scope. I had a Hart barrel put on it and really worked myself into a lather as to what rate of twist. I went with the 1-12 and it shoots sub minute of angle with Sierra 190 Match Kings. If I had it to do over, I'd still stay with the 1-12, but had I gone the other way with the 1-10, then I just wouldn't shoot anything lighter than 125 gr. bullets. Don't screw yourself into the ground over this, just remember if you want to go heavier than 200 gr. bullets, 1-10. If you want to shoot 110 gr. bullets, go with the 1-12. Anything in between, either is a great choice. IMHO.

I shoot a 1-10" in my long range match rifle. Works great.