Factories offering Faster Twists for existing chamberings

[Adam in WI]

I was perusing GunBroker and stumbled upon what I naturally assumed was a typo by the seller so I did a quick search and lo and behold it was not an error. Weatherby is making their new Weathermark in .243 Win with a 1-7.5" twist. I thought this is great news, a company making an already established chambering more useful (to handloaders in this case). I know Browning has been doing this as well, specifically with 22-250 and 7mm Rem Mag but I haven't searched out other examples lately.

Mark V® Weathermark Bronze – Weatherby, Inc.

weatherby.com

 

[john 800]

Thats good, i like it.
One other thing that i like in a hunting rifle is the barrel length to match intended purpose of the chambering. A 270 or 25-06 i want a 24 barrel, a short action i want a shorter barrel.
Come to think of it both of those examples could use faster twist barrels than are common

 

[Plumsask]

I was perusing GunBroker and stumbled upon what I naturally assumed was a typo by the seller so I did a quick search and lo and behold it was not an error. Weatherby is making their new Weathermark in .243 Win with a 1-7.5" twist. I thought this is great news, a company making an already established chambering more useful (to handloaders in this case). I know Browning has been doing this as well, specifically with 22-250 and 7mm Rem Mag but I haven't searched out other examples lately.

Mark V® Weathermark Bronze – Weatherby, Inc.

weatherby.com

I believe savage makes a fast twist 22-250

 

[22vartarg]

I believe savage makes a fast twist 22-250

You are correct.... they make it with a 1:9 twist. I have one of their LRPV in it and handles the 69-70 grain bullets with no problems. Very accurate out of the box.

 

[4xforfun]

Doesn't Tikka make a 1-8 22-250?

 

[Riesel]

I hope the freebore is extended to go along with that faster twist.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

I scrolled through the other cartridge options, and most of the Weatherby cartridge options retain a 1:10" rifling twist rate, including the 240 Weatherby Magnum. I'm guessing a common barrel is being used for both the 243 Winchester and 6mm Creedmoor options, being the driver for no longer offering a 1:10" twist rate in 243 Winchester.

 

[Twicepop]

It's about time, the two most neglected calibers in this regard over the years have been the .257" and the .277" bore sizes. You could get then in any twist you wanted as long as it was 1:10.

 

[wedgy]

Browning is up to speed, keep in mind some people have to shoot non-lead;

IMPORTANT TWIST RATE NOTE: In 2018 faster twist rates were added to select calibers and the twist rate is indicated on the barrel next to the caliber. The 6.5 Creedmoor and 26 Nosler became 1-7”. The 300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag and 28 Nosler became 1-8”. Prior to 2018 the 6.5 Creedmoor and 26 Nosler were 1-8”; the 28 Nosler was 1-9”; the 7mm Rem Mag was 1-9.5” and the 300 Win Mag was 1-10”.

 

[Adam in WI]

I'm guessing a common barrel is being used for both the 243 Winchester and 6mm Creedmoor options, being the driver for no longer offering a 1:10" twist rate in 243 Winchester.

Browning and Winchester could give that a shot, in my opinion. I'm surprised they don't. It would seem simpler to only have to produce one 6mm tube for multiple models. The barrels are chambered separately from the hammer forging operation, no?

 

[wupterchook]

Bergara lists a fast twist .22-250.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

Browning and Winchester could give that a shot, in my opinion. I'm surprised they don't. It would seem simpler to only have to produce one 6mm tube for multiple models. The barrels are chambered separately from the hammer forging operation, no?

The only Winchester factory rifle I can find currently available in 6mm Creedmoor is the 1885 Falling Block single shot with 28" barrel, I don't know how many other platforms would accommodate that barrel as a common factory component. For the typical shopper looking for a 243 Winchester hunting rifle, a bolt action comes to mind with a barrel anywhere from 18" to 24" comes to my mind.

Winchester M1885 High Wall Hunter 6mm Creedmoor Falling Block Rifle 28" Octagon Barrel 1 Round Walnut Stock Polished Blued Finish [FC-048702015700]

Cheaper Than Dirt! is America's Ultimate Shooting Sports Discounter, and we live up to that title. Expect bulk ammo deals, discount firearms, parts to build your next gun and more.

www.cheaperthandirt.com

Ron Spomer has a writeup about the 6mm Creedmoor and opines for the typical customer using the 243 Winchester as a hunting rifle the typical 1:10" barrel twist works fine and the 6mm Creedmoor market niche is for those wanting to use the sleeker, higher BC (than typical / traditional) 6mm / .243" bullets.

Why I'm Not Buying 6mm Creedmoor — Ron Spomer Outdoors

The 6mm Creedmoor joins a crowded field of 6mm/243 rifle cartridges. What does it offer that the others don't? And should you get one? Maybe...

www.ronspomeroutdoors.com

I think Winchester is currently has the same perspective as Ron Spomer WRT factory rifles. A specialist cartridge vs the 243 Winchester they provide a specialist rifle for.

Browning certainly could follow the example shown in the Weatherby Weathermark, and Browning undoubtedly has some smart cookies on staff. Browning may be waiting to see what impact Weatherby's offering has on their market share before copying. One thing for sure is Browning undoubtedly has sales figures of Browning rifles chambered for 243 Winchester with 1:10" rifling twist rate and Browning rifles chambered for 6mm Creedmoor with 1:7.5" rifling twist rate available to use for their manufacturing decisions.

 

[YEW PLUCKER]

It is lost past due. I have always thought that the .22-250 would do exceptionally well with heavier bullets, up to 80 grains. This would be a wonderful long range varminter. Coyotes would be in peril out at 800 yards.

 

[MislMan]

I don't know the relevant magazine dimension but, would there be any length issues involved in using heavier high BC bullets? Internal or removable magazine.