6.5x55 1/9 twist

[fmsniper]

I am very happy with my 1/10 twist 6.5x55 for varmint hunting I am currently getting .4 MOA with 120 grain bullets, but I am building another 6.5x55 for long range using a Howa 1500 action, I emailed Pac Nor and told them I wanted a 27 inch Stainless super match barrel in 6.5x55 with 1/8 for 140 grain, they emailed me back saying I need 1/9, not sure why?

 

[Exercion]

I'm not close to being an expert, but if I were going to guess, I'd think it has something to do with whether you're going to run the VLD's or not. 9" probably does work in a modern action for the 140's, the original 7.87 twist was for the 156 round nose bullets. That said, both the Pac-Nor SM barrels I've had have been 1 in 8 twist 3 groove models and they shoot the VLD's better than I can work the rifle.

Eric

 

[Rust]

For the 140 gr range of VLDs, a 1-9 twist is about as slow a twist that can stabilize the bullets. And that means a true 1-9, not an "almost" 1-9. A lot of folks recommend a 1-8.5 which is pretty much a sure thing.

I've been running a 1-9 for years using the 139 Scenars with no problems, although at 2950 fps which requires a fairly stout load, a long barrel, or both depending on how "fast" the barrel is.

 

[fmsniper]

I am going to email them back and tell them I want a 1/8 twist, 1/9 just does not seem right for 140 vld's

 

[flatlander]

I went with a 1:8 on my 1st 6.5x55, which is a 30" Krieger std. Palma. It's been a hammer at 1000 with Lapua 139s & S142MKs. The next 6.5 bbl. I did is chambered for the 6.5x55 AI - out of curiousity, I went with a 1:8.5 on it, and have not been disappointed with accuracy, VLDs or conventional HPBTs. Both these bbls. were cut-rifled, so I'm confident that the advertised twist rate is accurate. I'd be comfortable with another 1:8.5, but am not so sure about the 1:9 with 140s. Even the guys with 6.5x284s don't favor anything slower than 1:8.5.

 

[fmsniper]

thanks