Has anyone out there tried a 1 in 12 twist
barrel for the 338-06? As we all know the 1 in 10 is the standard twist for 338 caliber.
I am ONLY interested in in shooting bullets in the 200 to 225 max weights. i have built my share of 338 bore diameter guns & they all shoot tighter groups with the 250's. Might this be due to the "standard" 1 in 10 twist? The reason i haven't already tried to
experiment with a 1 in 12 twist is that I
can't fine anyone who makes this twist in 338 bore. Maybe one of you guys has had better luck.

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[This message has been edited by Bear Claw (edited 11-03-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Bear Claw (edited 11-03-2001).]

Bear Claw, according to Layne Simpson the 1-10 twist was offered by the gun manufactors in order to stabilize Winchester's early 300gr 338Win mag factory load(long discontinued). The 1-10 twist has remained though, however Layne figured in his article if he were to build a second 338/06 he would opt for the 1-12 twist. I feel the same , I feel it might be superior in the 338Win mag for bullets up to 250gr. sure-shot

Sako 338 Lapua Magnum rifles are built on one in twelve twist rates. In 338, a 1:12" will give better longer range performance.

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Gerard Schultz
GS Custom Bullets

BC, PacNor offers bb;s. in 1-10,11,12 & 14. Interesting thought.

Thanks Fredj338 i'll check them out.

[This message has been edited by Bear Claw (edited 11-04-2001).]

Lilja recomended a 1 in 10" for my .338-06 as I intended to shoot primarily 250 grain bullets. It seems to shoot most everything well. The lightest bullets I have tried are 210's, but 225's and 250's shoot under and inch which is all I could hope for.
Lilja did offer 1 in 12" .338" barrels.

Frank N.

I just had a 338-06 built. Pac-Nor said to use the 1-10 twist even for the light 200 grain bullets. Mike at Nosler said he would use the 1-10 twist also as that is what they use to test their bullets. I ended up using a Douglas in 1-10. I have not done alot of shooting with the 200's but my rifle does seem to shoot the 225 grain Hornady's better with five shots just over an inch. I need to do more testing before I can say for sure.

Shawn

I had my 338-06 done by ER Shaw with a 1:10 twist. My most accurate load to date is with the Nosler 180 BT at 3/4" 5 shot group.The 200 BT's are very accurate too.The 185 XLC also liked the twist with 1" 3 shot groups.I have not tried the heavier bullets as I will only hunt deer this year. Good luck whatever you decide.

Bear Claw,

I think for a hunting rifle you are better to go with the standard twist. I think that the lead core bullets and expansion characteristics are made for standard twists.

As to accuracy and slower twists you do generally need a very accurate rifle as well as a lot of shooting to show up much difference.

Often the slower twist does not always show up as inferior in terms of the "best group" but the slower twist is often more forgiving and more likely to shoot different loads closer together and more likely to shoot bullets from a clean barrel or cold fouled barrel into the group.

But as I said,you need a lot of shooting to be done on paper for these differences to start to really show up.

Mike

[This message has been edited by Mike375 (edited 11-06-2001).]

I shoot a 338-06 AI 40degree. It has a 1:10 Douglas barrel. For some reason it hates 200 gr bullets. I've tried Nosler Ballistic tips, Speer, and Hornaday in the 200gr weight and it won't shoot under 1.5". My rifle absolutely loves 215 gr Sierras and 250 gr Hornaday RN. I just shot a .324 inch 100yrd group with the 250 RN and 4064 powder.

By the way, I'm easily acheiving 2825 with the Sierras 215's and 2600 with the Hornaday 250's with no pressure signs all from a 23" barrel.

I'd very much like to hear some opinions on alternate powder choices for this round. I've used IMR4064, IMR4320, and RL-15.

-Catter