F/TR barrel decision time

[wolfman]

So I'm building a F/TR rifle to flat out compete. PGW Coyote single shot action is sitting at the smith waiting for me to make a decision about a barrel. My 'smith stocks McLennan barrels, so that's what it will be. Because I do most of my competing in Canada, I plan on shooting the 155 Lapua. Now I need to decide on twist rate, contour and length. I'm thinking a 32" 1-12" medium palma contour, assuming it allows me to make the weight limit. Lots of folks are saying I could go w/ a 1-13" tube, but I'm thinking the lapua's extra length might benifit from the quicker twist. Can anybody lend a hand here?I'm also wondering if the 32" tube is going to get me anything a 30" would not. thanks folks,
matt

 

[Rustystud]

F- TR Barrel choices:

shooting 155 grain bullets 1:12 twist

shooting heavy bullets 185-210s 1:10 twist

Barrel choices:

Cut rifling: Kreiger, Bartlein, RockCreek, Chanlynn, Obermyer,,not in any order)

Button rifling: Broughton, Lilja,,not in any order)

Canted rifling,5R and 5C),and hand lapped barrels will give superior velocity and easier cleaning.

Look at what the winers are using. The have not become winners just because of luck the pick they superior equipment also.

Your smith, if he has any experience/expertise building long range rifles should be giving you the same advice.

Rustystud

 

[Jeffvn]

If you know that you are limiting your bullet choice to the 155s, I would opt for a 13 or possibly even a 14 twist. Make no mistake, 12 works fine - I use a 12 in my .308 to shoot the 175 - but it is fast enough to handle bullets up to the Sierra 190 smk, and may be a bit fast for a dedicated 155 barrel. When I shot in Houston, most of the dedicated Palma shooters were using 14s which fully stablaized the 155s, but was too slow for the 190s and borderline for the 175s.

your milage may vary

JeffVN

 

[FClasser]

I used to shoot Palma with a 13" twist. It shot the 155 Sierras and 155 Bergers fantastically, but could never get the 155 Lapuas to shoot well. I changed to a 12 twist and the Lapuas shot great !! It also shot the Sierras and Bergers just as well. I would go with the 12" twist if you are sold on the Lapuas.
Tom Nichols

 

[wolfman]

Thanks Tim- that's sort of what I was thinking. Are folks seeing much real world difference in performance between the SMK, Berger and lapua 155's, or is it semantics?