varmint/benchrest gun twist rate ques.

[high_press]

Hey guys, I need some advice. I'm still debating on weather to go with a 1x12 or 1x14 twist for my first 6mmbr. Most of my shooting will be at 100-250 yrds, however I want something accurate out to 400. This gun will mainly be used as a short range varmint rifle, but i want benchrest accuracy out of it. I'm hoping it'll group in the one's at 100yrds but still be extremely accurate out to 400. I rarely shoot beyond 400 yrds.

Do you think the 1x12 would be too much twist for the occasional 400 yrd shot? Or will the 1x14 still deliver acceptable accuracy? Currently my componets for this rifle are as follows:

Kreiger barrel finished will be 24"
Richards thumbhole #005
Trued rem. 700 action
Leupold 6.5-20
Jewell Trigger,rem 700 varmint)
PT&G Custom reamer: 272nk, .70 freebore
Fowler bullets, 80gr with the 1x12, 68gr with the 1x14

well, what do ya think? Does it sound like a good start to a hopefully accurate gun?

 

[tightneck]

The more and more I shoot the 30BR, the more I like it. If I were to go on the journey you are proposing, it would be my first choice. Shoot any number of custom bullets from 112-120 grains or the Speer 125TNT for an explosive varmint bullet. It is as accurate a cartridge as any on that I have shot, and easier to keep on top of. When you find a load that shoots, it just keeps on shooting, regardless of what the temp/humidity is doing. Keep in mind that if you want to shoot groups in the ones, you will need to invest in a set of quality windflags and become proficient in reading them. Ones don't come easy no matter what the cartridge is. Shooting them consistantly requires a bunch of trigger time as well as being lucky sometimes. Anyone with any decent bolt gun can shoot a tiny group once, or even a few times, but doing it on a regular basis requires discipline. The components you listed for the project are good ones and should work just fine. One thing to consider is the action choice though. If you plan on using one of your existing Remmy's to save money, that's ok. If however, you have to buy a donor and have it worked over, then I think the custom's offer a better value. A Stiller predator can be had for just a touch more than the cost of a new Remmy and blueprinting, and you will have a better action.

 

[FClasser]

High Press:
I would go with the 12 twist. I have an 8 tw in my 6BR and it shoots the 68's in the 2's, as good as I can hold)and also the 80's . The 12 will give you more flexability than the 14 because the 14 will limit you to 68's and lighter.
Hope this helps
Tom Nichols