What twist for 308 hunting rifle?

[john 800]

I am thinking about putting a prefit custom barrel on a savage deer rifle I have. It will be a varmint/light varmint contour and 20” long, used for deer hunting. I shoot 150-165 bullets for deer so far and dont see a need for me to be concerned with shooting much heavier than that. What twist do you guys suggest? I was thinking an xcaliber if it matters, probably dosent, but wpuld be open to manufacturer suggestions also.

 

[Edd]

I would choose a 10" twist.

 

[Dave M.]

I have 4 .308 hunting rifles. Three are standard 1:12” and the last one is a 1:11” custom barrel on a Remington 700 trued action. The 1:11” outshoots the other three hands down and I can easily shoot anything from 145g to 210g
Dave

 

[Dimner]

I am thinking about putting a prefit custom barrel on a savage deer rifle I have. It will be a varmint/light varmint contour and 20” long, used for deer hunting. I shoot 150-165 bullets for deer so far and dont see a need for me to be concerned with shooting much heavier than that. What twist do you guys suggest? I was thinking an xcaliber if it matters, probably dosent, but wpuld be open to manufacturer suggestions also.

Go for a Douglas barrel if you are okay with sending your action into them. I love mine. Twist? Can't go wrong with 10, 11 or 12.

 

[Dave M.]

I would choose a 10" twist.

Although 1:10” will keep your SG above 2.0 from 150 through 200g bullets, I like to select the slowest twist that will accurately shoot the heaviest bullet I may ever use, while still keeping the SG above 1.5….the 1:11” twist fits this bill from 150-210g bullets.

 

[dannyjbiggs]

Go with the 1-11" twist rate. Last century I asked Homer at Champions Choice why the 1-11 twist was developed. He replied that it was for those that could not make up their mind for a 1-10 or 1-12.

 

[dryhumor]

I shoot 150-165 bullets for deer so far and dont see a need for me to be concerned with shooting much heavier than that. What twist do you guys suggest?

I don’t think you are leaving anything on the table in using a 13 twist. I’m using a 13 twist primarily for deer hunting. While I haven’t tried 165s, I’m quite happy with 150-155s. (Hornady SSTs and Berger VLDs) As a bonus, it was pretty easy to find a load for the Berger 115s for paper and varmints.

Using Varget with the 150s, H4895 with the 155s, and Xterminator with the 115s.

 

[K22]

10" twist - 150 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter Bullets is what I used for many years, and it never failed me.

If you are set on the barrel your described, I would consider the 125 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip unless you are insensitive to recoil. With this bullet and that short barrel, IMR 4895 would be my choice.

Cautionary Tale: Years ago, a fellow shooter purchased a Remington Model 7 in 308. This had the configuration similar to one you described aggravated by a light plastic stock. His goal was to have a light rifle for field carry in the mountains. Sounded good but reality was something different. The recoil was brutal. Forget load development - it battered him so bad that he flinched almost always. He ended up selling it and replacing it with a 243 Win in the same model.

However, you will never feel the recoil shooting at a game animal in the field. So, if this is a once-a-year proposition then the recoil is no big deal but don't expect dime size groups. For me, I like to shoot my rifles at lot, even big game rifles in that day, so and very light 30 caliber rifle is not for me.

 

[Liven The Dream]

My thought !!! Sorry the Train left the Station.
Boot's Obermeyer's 1-11 R-5 had one on a Hunting Rifle.
" The Thing Dreams are made of".

 

[Will Henry]

I do not currently own a 308 hunting rifle. I do, however, have a 30/40 Krag, built on a #4 Lee Enfied, which I fitted with a 12 twist barrel. I have shot everything from the 125 Sierra to the 200 grain Speer spitzer and all have shot very well. My favorite bullet in it is the 165 Sierra HPBT Gameking. I have more hunting rifles than I will ever need, but I have killed more game with this old rifle than all the others put together. It's my lucky gun. WH

 

[ebb]

What happens when you want to go ELK hunting? I get the slower twist and If all you are ever going to shoot is 165 grain and less the 12 or 13 will work fine. But it is leaving you with no options for heavy bullets. You could buy a whole new rifle in 338 or a 300 win mag to elk hunt with. but I see no down side to a 10 twist, that will leave you open to lots of heavier bullets.

 

[K22]

This is a deer hunting rifle so I wouldn't stress out on twist rate. With that light of a rifle, you probably aren't going to use it for bench rest or target shooting.

Also, with the light of rifle, I suspect if you try a 180 grain or heavier bullet you will quickly abandon that option unless you are totally insensitive to recoil. Also, expect an extra "eyebrow" shooting that light rifle off the bench with heavy hunting bullets / loads.

Deer have a comparatively large vital area; 2 MOA will get the job done within normal shot opportunities in wooded areas.

 

[Doug Casner]

Ive got a 1=12 twist featherweight model 70. It likes the lighter bullets but it shoots the heavier stuff good enough for deer hunting If your not shooting 500 yds. I always thought I didnt notice recoil when I was shooting at game with a 300 wyb. mag. I noticed it. Doug

 

[ebb]

Doug, my 338 win mag recoil used to seem like a good trade off for the performance if provided. Not so much anymore. Do you think the powder has aged till is makes way more pressure than before?

 

[john 800]

I think there was a little misunderstanding of the contour and what the overall weight of the rifle will be after reading a few of the comments. I will be looking for some barrel contour similar to a factory remington or savage varmint barrel, the rifle has a 4-16 sighron scope and a bell and carlson m40 stock, it will be significantly heavier than a model 7, not bench gun heavy but rhe blanks I am looking at are 4-4 1/2 pounds alone. I will be hunting in a platform stand or double stand with my daughter the next few years and a 20” barrel vs the 24” that is on it will be a little more convenient, probably balance better offhand as well. I have really taken a liking to the 308, which looking back is funny after growing up with my dad being a 270 fan with uncles amd cousins on the 3006 side of that debate. Dunno, the 308 just works

 

[butchlambert]

Although 1:10” will keep your SG above 2.0 from 150 through 200g bullets, I like to select the slowest twist that will accurately shoot the heaviest bullet I may ever use, while still keeping the SG above 1.5….the 1:11” twist fits this bill from 150-210g bullets.

I'll go with Dave. My rifles has a 11.25" Obermeyer and I've only shot to 190 grain bullets and it shoots great.

 

[john 800]

What happens when you want to go ELK hunting? I get the slower twist and If all you are ever going to shoot is 165 grain and less the 12 or 13 will work fine. But it is leaving you with no options for heavy bullets. You could buy a whole new rifle in 338 or a 300 win mag to elk hunt with. but I see no down side to a 10 twist, that will leave you open to lots of heavier bullets.

The thought crossed my mind, I do own a 7 rem mag, amd with the cost of out of state tags I would probably be hunting cows anyway, but I agree on the lack of a downside to a little faster twist. I don’t need to push 150s or 165s to absolutely max speed anyway.

 

[Dimner]

The thought crossed my mind, I do own a 7 rem mag, amd with the cost of out of state tags I would probably be hunting cows anyway, but I agree on the lack of a downside to a little faster twist. I don’t need to push 150s or 165s to absolutely max speed anyway.

I think you are being quite sensible with your decision making and choices. 308 at 20" is a great rifle. I had a Tikka 308 and loved it. It was a little kicky, but that was tolerable because it shot so well. I've since changed it to a 7mm mauser because I needed to scratch an itch.

Based on what you you have said, I would go with a 11 or 12 twist. Both will work fine, pick which ever gives you the most confidence. For contour, I were in your shoes l, I'd pick a bartlein 3B, or #4 if you really wanted thicker. Either will be pretty thick for a 20 incher. It will be a very nice rig. Just don't put a brake on it for your daughter's sake. Not that you would need one, a #4 won't be very whippy.

 

[john 800]

I think you are being quite sensible with your decision making and choices. 308 at 20" is a great rifle. I had a Tikka 308 and loved it. It was a little kicky, but that was tolerable because it shot so well. I've since changed it to a 7mm mauser because I needed to scratch an itch.

Based on what you you have said, I would go with a 11 or 12 twist. Both will work fine, pick which ever gives you the most confidence. For contour, I were in your shoes l, I'd pick a bartlein 3B, or #4 if you really wanted thicker. Either will be pretty thick for a 20 incher. It will be a very nice rig. Just don't put a brake on it for your daughter's sake. Not that you would need one, a #4 won't be very whippy.

Those conturs are in the range I was considering, probably the heavier contour to match the existing stock inlet, then some flutes to save a little weight off the front. Should be about right weight wise. Daughter is pretty tough little thing but noise sensitive and pretty feisty, if I shot a rifle with some of the more annoying brakes she might smack me upside the head , and I have significant hearing loss already, I don’t need to lose any more. We usually both wear walkers electronic muffs even while hunting because of this.

 

[G Liles]

10 twist