1:9 fast enough for long range 280?

[mattri]

With a 28" barrel, will a 1:9 be fast enough to shoot the long 180s or will I have to go with a 8 twist?

 

[TonyR]

1:9 has been fine for 1000 yard matches using 180 VLDs and Hybrids at 280 Rem velocities from a single shot bolt gun. I know people who use 1:8.5 and 1:8.75 but I doubt you need a 1:8 except maybe in very cold conditions at low velocities with a hunting rifle.

 

[mattri]

Thanks for the reply. With equal length barrels-why would a hunting rifle develop less velocity?

 

[TonyR]

Thanks for the reply. With equal length barrels-why would a hunting rifle develop less velocity?

I was thinking of reduced stability in colder temperatures typical of many North American hunting seasons and less velocity with rounds loaded to magazine length for hunting rifles. Otherwise, I agree with your point.

 

[bheadboy]

my 2 - 280 Ai's both have 9 twist and have no problem with stability. the cold weather has with the h4831 and h4350 not caused mucy velocity change.
Bob

 

[mattri]

Good to know, thanks. Am putting a long range gun together, will be posting lots of questions.

 

[msinc]

I have a 1 in 9 barrel on one rifle and a 1 in 8 3/4 Obermeyer on another...cant tell the difference.

 

[newhornet]

I JUST had a 9 TWIST Kriger put together on a Rem. 700 trued action.....29 1/2 inch (finished length), HV contour, and it WILL NOT stabilize the 168 gr. Berger VLDs. My Smith told me that I may have trouble in a 9 TW with those bullets....Shoulda' listened as I built it with Berger 168's and 180's in mind....even their website states that 10 TW for 168 and 9TW (minimums) for 180's... I have got a good group with the Hornady A-max 162's at 100 yards thus far and intend to shoot at 500 tomorrow. I was testing loads with H-4831 and Fed 210M Primers in Nosler brass. ANY other ideas would be a help to me also...hope this assists you in some way.

 

[DBailey]

That's a little weird. I've never shot anything but 180 Berger's with my 1:9 twist 280 Rem F-Class rifle.
No stabilization problems what so ever.

 

[mattdienes]

I JUST had a 9 TWIST Kriger put together on a Rem. 700 trued action.....29 1/2 inch (finished length), HV contour, and it WILL NOT stabilize the 168 gr. Berger VLDs. My Smith told me that I may have trouble in a 9 TW with those bullets....Shoulda' listened as I built it with Berger 168's and 180's in mind....even their website states that 10 TW for 168 and 9TW (minimums) for 180's... I have got a good group with the Hornady A-max 162's at 100 yards thus far and intend to shoot at 500 tomorrow. I was testing loads with H-4831 and Fed 210M Primers in Nosler brass. ANY other ideas would be a help to me also...hope this assists you in some way.

A 1-9 twist will spin the bullet faster than a 1-10 tw .If Berger calls for a 10tw and you have a 9tw there won't be a problem,I shot a Kreiger 1-9 in a 280AI and 180/175gr bullets shot fine.It could be that barrel doesn't like the bergers???which would be odd,they are my goto bullet.Get some 168 sierra smk's if the gun don't shoot them then you have a problem.
I would much rather have a little too much twist than be on the edge of twist/stabilty.A 9tw is perfect for the 7mm you will be able to shoot 140's to 180's with out stabilty probelms.

 

[FroggyOne2]

NewHornet, sounds like you have a problem, I would check the twist on the bbl again, take a cleaning rod (one that spins) and a snug patch. Get it in the bbl, then put a lil white masking tape on the rod right at the buttplate with a black line on the top of the rod marked on the tape. Then slowly move the rod down the bbl till the black line comes around the top of the rod, measure from the buttplate to the line. That is a good approx of what your bbl twist is.

 

[RDavies]

I have a supposed 9" twist barrel which would work with 180s, but liked the 168s. After a while I checked the twist rate using the method mentioned, and it was closer to 10" twist than the 9" it was supposed to be. My 2 new 7mms, both supposed to be 9" twist work out around 8.7" and 9.2" as close as I can check with this unscientific method.