308win with 1:14 twist

[old_heli_logger]

Howdy!

I have a Winchester model 70 with a Robert W. Hart & Son barrel in .308win. This barrel has a slow 1:14 twist. It won't stabilize the 190gr SMK's (key-holing). I tried the 168gr SMK's and they are very accurate, but not a great long range bullet.

Do you think 1:14 will stabilize the 175gr SMK's? How about the 180gr SMK's? Is there a rule-of-thumb? I don't want to waste a bunch of components...

Thanks in advance!
Steve

 

[ShootDots]

I had a 1-13 that was GREAT with 168's.... A 1-14 will do fine with the 155 class bullets... Stay in that range and you won't have to search high and low for a good bullet..

 

[jonbearman]

The 175's and up are marginal and when you get over 180 you will have keyholing.

 

[Shynloco]

You are right on the border with most barrel manufacturer recommendations. Take a look at :
www.shilen.com/calibersAndTwists.html

 

[old_heli_logger]

Thanks everyone! I forgot about the SMK 155gr Palma bullets!
I'll try the 175gr and the 155gr and see which works best. The BC on the 155's are impressive for their weight.
Thanks again!
Steve

 

[mshelton]

The SMK Palmas and the Berger 155.5 Fullbores both shot well in mine but the best I found so far are the 155 Berger VLD hunting.

 

[akajun]

Shoot the old smk 155's. the 2155, the 2156's shoot like a shotgun in my 1-13 palma gun,