I am going to build a new .264 and the smith asked me what barrel twist I wanted 1 in 8 or 1 in 9. I said 1 in 8. He said that ment it was good for 130+ grain bullets only. Is this true? I want to shoot 100gr and 140gr unless there is something that really shines then I would go with one bullet and be happy but want the option. Is a fast twist really no good for lighter bullets?

Matthew

I had mine built with a 1:9 twist, but I rarely shoot anything heavier than 129 Hornady's through it. That being said, I do not think the smith's statement is true. I have a 6.5-284 with a 1:8 twist and it shoots 100 grains and 120 grain bullets very admirably.

The 1:9 for 140 bullets has been shown on these forums to be iffy by some people's experience. While I have never had an issue with it, there are some that have. Bottom line...the 1:8 should work just fine, in my opinion.

quote:

He said that ment it was good for 130+ grain bullets only. Is this true?

I seriously doubt you would see any difference in accuracy on the lighter bullets between a 1:8 and 1:9. I would bet except for the longer 140s the 1:9 would work at 264Wmag velocities.

I would buy the 1:8 and not look back I might consdier a different smith .

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:
I might consdier a different smith .

My .264 is a 1-9" but some of the accubonds are very long and might not stabilize as fine as I'd like.....It's not important to me as I'm a 120 grain bullet man in the .264.....

For most builds I think the 1-8" twist will handle everything and even the lighter bullets.

1-8" rate will be just fine if not preferable, i would also look for a different smith

Shilen, Pac-nor and other barrel makers list their twist rates on their websites. I think some even list what twist are recommended for what bullets you intend to use. You can also look at Winchester or Remington's twist rates in their catalogs. Remington list a 9' twist for their .264. As Remington only produces 140g loaded ammo, they would certainly expect their 1/9 twist to stabilize their own loadings.

Pac Nor offers a 8.5" twist in .264 per their web page. I think it's a 3 groove barrel. Order one of those, and let us know how it works out. I'm anxious to try one myself, and when I can get around to it, that's what I'm ordering.

KB

1-9 works fine on my 264 for the lighter bullets or the 140s. Keep in mind that there is no free lunch if you go with a 1-8 instead of the 1-9. If I went with a 1-8, I wouldn't be concerned about hurting accuracy with the lighter bullets, but I would expect to see increased pressure vs. the 1-9 twist.

quote:

As Remington only produces 140g loaded ammo, they would certainly expect their 1/9 twist to stabilize their own loadings.

Issue you might run into is the Remington 140gr bullets is 1.22" long. You grab something like the Nosler 140HPBT at 1.307" the 140Part at 1.29" and even the 130Accubond at 1.32" you run the chance of not stabilizing. With the puch for non-lead bullets will get longer.

Thanks, I thought it seemed a little suspect. I expect a little higher pressure with a 8" twist but no issue with stabilizing a light bullet.


Matthew

The 1-9" twist is fully adequate for the Nosler 140 grain Partition. Some of the specialty long-range, long ogive boattailed bullets might benefit from the 1-8 twist, but there are no hunting bullets that the 1-9 twist won't stabilize.

quote:

Originally posted by Matthewx:
Thanks, I thought it seemed a little suspect. I expect a little higher pressure with a 8" twist but no issue with stabilizing a light bullet.


Matthew

Matthew, What might be a good idea is give the barrel manufactor a call and see what he thinks.

He gets more feed back on his barrels and he may rec a different twist based on the bullets you want to shoot.

I used a Hart 1/8.5 twist barrel for my 6.5x284 and I shot 140/142gr bullets. I just got a new Kreiger 1/8 twist barrel and I plan on shooting the heavier bullets maybe the Berger hunting VLD 130/140gr bullets.

I'm a poor example as I build things around 1/2 bullets vs one twist fits all. Sound like a good project.

I have been shooting the 264 [as well as several other 6.5s] for 30+ years and prefer the 1-10 but then I am just?????? [But I do have my reasons!]
Aloha, Mark