going to rebarrel a pre-64 mod 70 featherweight to 6.5 swede . Have had great luck in other rifles with 120 grain bullets, Question is probly rarely shoot 140 grains would 8 or 9 twist be more accurte with the 120's but still be adequate with 140's. Thanks

I think the Swedish mausers were made with a 1/7" twist but if all you are planning to shoot is 140 grain cup and core bullets a 1/8" twist will get the job done and won't have any problem shooting 120's. A 1/9" will top out at 130 grains in 6.5 and my experience was with a 264Win and even with the higher velocities from that round it's 1/9" barrel would not effectively stablize 140 bullets. Go 1/8" and don't look back.

All of my 6.5s except one carry 1:9 twist and they all do 1/2" if I do my part including the 140 grain bullets. This includes 6.5x55, 260, 6.5-06AI and 264WM. The one that is 1:8 is my 6.5-284 which may someday shoot 142 grain long match bullets. YMMV

140 gr ? 1:9 works fine !

I think the original Swedes were 1:8.5. Either 8.5 or 9 will work great for anything up to monolithic 140 gr. bullets. For them, you might want to consider 1:8.

Clarence

Mine is 1 and 9. The only bullet I personally tried that would not stabilize was the 160 Woodliegh Protect Point but that is a long bullet. I use 155 Megas with no problems, they shoot great. I've used 140 SSTs, Cor-lokts & Partitions and all shot well.

I rebarreled a featherweight that had been a 06, into a 6.5 x 55.

I went with a one in 8 twist... it will stabilize ANY 6.5 bullet out there, that I have been able to get my little fingers on...

I have a 260 Rem in a VLS in a one in 9... IT WILL NOT stabilize all of the 140 grain bullets..and above...

can't see a reason to go with a one in 9 if a one in 8 is available, especially if the costs are the same...

Thanks guys I believe my rem classic and tikka are 8 just wondered if the nine would be better since I have a choice.

Mike, in that regard, I do not think 9 is any better than 8. Like Seafire said, if you think there may be a question, go with 8 for the same price.

I shoot my 6.5 Swede out to 1000 yds with a 1:8.5 and it stabilizes 140 gr. SMKs just fine.

The Swedes are 7.87 twist. I believe the reason Remington went with the 9 twist on the 260 Rem was that it was primarily developed to use a 120 grain bullet. It has a very short SAAMI throat on it and a 140 grain will seat deep in the case. I throated my 260 out for 140 grain bullets as I have the action and magazine length to do that. Loading the 140 grain out of the powder capacity lets you utilize the cartridges full potential.

If I were going to shoot primarily lighter bullets I would go with the faster twists as the faster ones are made to stabilize the longer bullets. If you are going to shoot a variety of length of bullets then go with the faster twist. I don't feel you would have to go faster then 8 and possibly 8.5 for the longer bullets. Some 9's will even stabilize some of the longer bullets. You need to test these at the longer ranges to insure that they indeed stabilize the longer bullets. This often won't show up at shorter distances.

Well, my 260 improved has a 1-10 twist as I was going to top out with 120's. It shoots everything from 85 grn sierras to 129 grn hornadys into a 12 shot 1 1/2" group thats 3 85's 3 100's 3 120's 3 129's
It will shoot 1/2 -3/4" 5 shot groups of each individual bullets above.

I went with a long shilen barrel 1-8 twist in 260 rem, has shot everything i put in it great!!!