The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles Twist rate recommendation for 6.5mm?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I will take delivery of my 6.5x284 soon. This particular rifle will have a 1-8 twist. I am considering a couple more 6.5 calibers so I need some advice since this diameter is new to me. The following quote is from a prominent barrel maker and I'd like your thoughts:
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns | ||
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Doc, I shoot 9 twist in all of mine with no problems at all. 6.5x55, 6.5-06AI, 264WM and 6.5-284Win all have 9 twists with no problems, (I forget what the standard Remington 260 twist is) but I don't shoot bullets heavier than 142 grains. Don't see the need. I have barrels from both Douglas and Lilja on all but the 260 and they work fine. I know others have had other problems with the 9 twist, but not me. Larry "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson | |||
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I was considering a 260 Remington. So, now the question becomes, do I go with a 8-3/4 twist or the 9.1 twist? I think the largest bullet I'd shoot would be a 140, but will be giving the 130 AB a try as well. Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns | |||
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Doc, My 6.5-06 and 6.5-284 both have 1:8.5" twist barrels, and I an happy with both. Thanks, Doug | |||
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I normally recommend 8, but on an '06 or 284 case, a 8.5 is commonly used and should be considered due to pressure as well as spin. | |||
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I recommend a 1:8. In rounds such as the .260, anything slower than 1:8 will be borderline should you decide to shoot something like the 140 grain A-Max or some of the Berger VLDs. Keep in mind that you can't, within reason, overstabilize a projectile, but you can certainly UNDERstabilize one...  Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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Doc- I forgot to add that my 1:8 barrels shoot everything -- from the stubby Sierra 85 grain HP through the various 140s -- with extreme precision. The faster twist is NOT a hindrance to light bullet accuracy. Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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Unfortunately, 8 twist is not an option. Only the 2 I mentioned. Either 1-8 3/4 or 1-9.1, that's it. Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns | |||
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Doc, I assume this will be a game rifle and as such I would want the faster twist. My 6.5/284 is a 1 in 9 and I was told at the time (reading PS etc.) that it might not stabalize the 140's. Bah Humbug... sure does. I am not confident that the .260 can get the speeds claimed without major pressure, as my 27" Hart has +P+ to reach the 3,000+ level with the 140's. I would have gone to a 1 in 8 as Bobby Tomek mentioned above.  Member NRA, SCI- Life #358 28+ years now! DRSS, double owner-shooter since 1983, O/U .30-06 Browning Continental set. | |||
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Well, I will probably stick with the 120-130 bullet wt range anyway. Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns | |||
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If I couldn't have a one in 7.5, then I'd take the closest thing to a 1 in 8 as humanly possible... Life Member: The American Vast Right Wing Conspiracy Jan 20, 2009.. Prisoner in Dumocrat 'Occupied America', Partisan in the 'Save America' Underground Beavis..... James Beavis..... Of Her Majesty's Secret Service..... Spell Check Division "Posterity — you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it." John Quincy Adams A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him "Why do you carry a 45?" The Ranger responded, "Because they don't make a 46." Duhboy....Nuttier than Squirrel Poop... | |||
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I would go with the 8 3/4 twist.I am on my fourth 260,2 rem with 9 twist,ruger with 8 twist and a shilen barrel with 8 twist.The first one rem mtn rifle shot fair with up to 140 gr bullets,sold it because I wanted a 24 in barrel,ruger with 8 twist would shoot the 140 well,the 24 in rem bdl is a tack driver with 120 and less but only fair with 125 gr up.The shilen 8 twist so far has shot everything I have tried in it,85,120,140,142.My buddie gave me some 160's to try in it last week,I loaded 5 with R-19,but by the time I got to the range I only could find 4,never did find the 5th one.The 4 at 100 yds shot a 1/2 in group so the 8 twist should do well up to the 160 gr bullets. On the berger box it says 1:9 or faster with the 140's I haven't tried them in my rem bdl but plan to when I get around to it. I tried a box of the 130 acc-bonds in my rem bdl last year with different powders but never got an acceptable load with them. | |||
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Given those two, I would opt for the 8-3/4 if it was my rifle. While I have shot and loaded lots of 140-144 grain bullets in all of mine without an issue, I really don't see the need for 90% of what I shoot. I shoot a lot of 100-129 grain bullets so I just pick which bullet my particular rifle likes the best and go from there. Larry "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles Twist rate recommendation for 6.5mm?
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