.300 RUM: Advice on twist rate

[Luke_NL]

Gents,

Advice much appreciated, even though this isn't technically reloading advice. I am picking up parts for a project rifle in .300 RUM. Please don't get into the pro's and cons of that choice, I've gone back and forth on that issue and I am glad to have settled that (for the time being, anyway).

I will be shooting fairly heavy projectiles, such as the 215 Berger, the 208 Amax and (if obtainable) the 220 Lapua Scenar. All should do well out of a 1:10 twist barrel. But, a friend is having "solids" made that should (in theory anyway) be the cat's whiskers for the long range game. However, the optimal twist rate (possibly even the required twist rate) for those would be 1:8.

Would I stand to lose anything in using a 1:8 twist barrel for the more conventional bullets? My thinking is that the faster twist rate may show a higher rate of wear. Would I have to worry about jacketed bullets or "overstabilisation" if that's even a thing?

Application is target shooting. Ranges will be 600, 1000, 1300 yards and the mile, if it matters.

 

[germanlongbow]

I shoot a 1x10 twist in my 300 ultramag. I only shoot 200 out to 1000+ without issues. Not sure if this helps.

 

[ebb]

Back when the 300 RUM was just out to the public I bought a sendero in 300 RUM. Several of the 30 caliber bullets I shot through it would not make it to the target (they blew up). The excellent Berger 210 was one of them. Much has changed since then and now most bullets have no problem with 300 RUM speeds. Berger told me that the speed and the twist were too much in my gun for the 210s of the time. Knowing that, I believe that an 8 twist MIGHT get you back into the conditions that would blow up copper and lead jacketed bullets.

 

[ballistic64]

But, a friend is having "solids" made that should (in theory anyway) be the cat's whiskers for the long range game.

I would think that if solids were the cat's meow, I mean whiskers, the 1000 yd BR's would have been using them. For the conventional bullets you listed, I'd go with a 1-11". JMO

 

[Immike]

I shot a few rounds (barrels) from the 300rum with the 190's in a 1-10 . It has alot of reach with that combo, 2000yrds!! You learn pretty quickly how to deal with recoil shooting a rum.

 

[Luke_NL]

But, a friend is having "solids" made that should (in theory anyway) be the cat's whiskers for the long range game.

I would think that if solids were the cat's meow, I mean whiskers, the 1000 yd BR's would have been using them. For the conventional bullets you listed, I'd go with a 1-11". JMO

Yeah, I see what you mean. Production is very limited and I am happy to test either way. Could be "meow" or bark. I'll update when I know. If I am not mistaken his design is more about better tracking through transonic region in order to shoot at targets way way out there than it is to shoot .0 agg's, but to each his own. Being limited to a .30 cal through no choice of his own, he wants to see for himself where the maximum range to actually hit a target ends and push that boundary where he can. Either these solids will limit that range through non-performance at distance, or he will surprise us all and reap the rewards. More power to the tinkerers.

Anyone actually shoot a 1:8 twist RUM?

 

[Joe Salt]

If you use a 1-10 twist you can try just about any bullet you want. I've shot 1000 yard using anywhere from a 185 to a 240 gr. bullet.

Joe Salt

 

[gmorganal]

I use a 10-twist, shoot 210 Bergers and if it were any more accurate, I'd have to start shooting it in matches. Shoots under two inches at 500 yards, three-shot groups.