Twist rate for the 6.5 140gn bullets

[ptf18]

Ive got several full dress Swedish m96 rifles. Great rifles that I reload for.

Ive always used bullet weights of around 140gns.

Recently I tried some Hornady 100gn Amax bullest and found them to be VERY accurate at 200 yards.

I checked the twist rate on one of the m96 barrels and found it to be 8.5 to 1

What I would like to know is if you all think that perhaps the 140gn bullets MAY be a bit too much for the twist rate in the m96s and that perhaps a lighter bullet may be worth trying.

I realize I can buy a box of lighter bullets but I'ld rather ask first.

 

[JRS]

8.5 is just fine for the 140. I can stabilize most 140 grain bullets, less the VLD, in a 9 twist barrel.

 

[CobraRed]

I only shoot 140gr (mainly Amax) out of my custom builds (6.5x55 and 6.5x55AI) and chose 1:8.5 for both of the builds because it shoots the 140 so well.
Some people will say 1:8, but unless you're suffering huge velocity losses from some feature or recipe - I dont see the need.
Maybe if/when they come out with a .305+ G7 150gr bullet (fingers crossed)

 

[2506]

The twist rate in a Mauser 96 Swede is more like 7 1/2" twist. It is a metric measurement. It was twisted for the loooooooooooooog 160 gr RN military bullet. It will shoot GREAT with about any bullet 100 gr up to the 160 RN. I have a number of different Mauser Swedes rifles and some shoot better than others due to condition but ALL of them will out shoot a good deal of modern rifles using just the open sights. I have one 96 that I rescued from some Bubba that had started hacking on it and made a sporter out of it. It is very accurate and I have killed everything form varmints to deer with it at some outstanding distances. IMR 4895 and 140 Sierra Match Kings are mind blowing accurate in these rifles.

 

[bsumoba]

all the guys I know shooting 140gr pills are using 1:8 twist.

 

[FeMan]

The altitude you shoot at plays a role in the twist rate needed. Keep that is mind when askling the quesiton. What works for someone at 5,000 ft may not work for you if you are at sea level.