WHAT TWIST IS BEST ?

[jcm24m]

I'm rebarrelling my 40-XBR in 204 RUGER or 20 Practical. I use 34 gr NIGHTMARES and 40 gr VMAX. What twist barrel will work best, 10 or 12 twist

 

[DogBuster]

12 twist will work fine for the 40 V max in either 204R or 20 PT

The longer 55 Bergers need a 9 twist...

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I built up a custom M700 (McMillan/Pac-Nor) and used P/N's 3-groove 11-twist, and it'll shoot any of the 40 grainers sub .5 MOA. Most 12 twists (have 4 of 'em) have trouble with the 40gr V-Max, not my 11-twist; the only one of my five .20 cal rifles that will shoot it well.

 

[swampshooter]

I went with a 10 twist for my 204 Ruger. Shilen barrel. It shoots the 40 V-max and Sierra 39 gr. very well. Under 1/2" for the 40 gr. V-max and 40 gr. Nosler and under .4 for the Sierra 39. I don't shoot lighter bullets so can't help you there. Many groups around .250 for the Sierra.

 

[Phil]

11 twist, if using nothing heavier that 40gr. bullets.

 

[palo]

Have you a particular barrel in mind when you are asking about a 1/10 and 1/12 twist and not a 1/11 ?
I/11 would be the best twist for the bullets your using but if you cant get that go with the 1/10.
My 1/10 twist 204 barrel will shoot 32, 39, 40, and 50 grain bullets accurately

 

[Catfish]

I have had 23 - 204`s with a 12 twist and none of them would shoot the 40 gr. bullets worth a crap. Go with a 10 twist.

 

[BigDMT]

I shoot those same exact bullets in my 204 ruger and my 20 vartarg. You want the 12 twist barrel. For longer range work, I use a load with the 39gr sierra blitzking which is also extremely accurate with the 1 in 12 twist barrels.

My 204 and 20 vartarg shoot the 34gr nightmares with 1/4" 5 shot groups at 100 yards. I only shoot the 39gr bk's in my 204 ruger and it wil shoot those in the .3's at 200 yards! So I have no troubles with a 12 twist. Its what you want if planning to mainly shoot the nightmares.

 

[jcm24m]

I am buying a SHILEN select match SS barrel and they don't make a 11 twist in 20 cal. I'm worried the 10 twist might turn the 34 gr NIGHTMARE too fast and blow it up in pieces. Any thoughts on that?

 

[BigDMT]

I only run the 34gr nightmares at about 3750 FPS in my .204 Ruger and only about 3500 fps in my 20 VT because I shoot a lot of rounds at gophers in the spring and don't want to have to replace my barrels every 2 to 3 years.

Not sure if a 10" twist would tear up the nightmares at high speed? I doubt it though.

I do run my 39gr Sierra BlitzKing load at 3950 fps in my .204 Ruger for long range varmint hunting, but that's only because I need it to shoot flat out to 700 yards and don't shoot that load a lot.

 

[anrew]

all 3 of my 204s are 1-10 twist they flat out shoot. shilen select match 1.250 strait 28 long.

 

[BigDMT]

all 3 of my 204s are 1-10 twist they flat out shoot. shilen select match 1.250 strait 28 long.

Holy Cow! Are you using those monster barrels for BR competition? Or long range stationary varminting?

 

[5spd]

I am buying a SHILEN select match SS barrel and they don't make a 11 twist in 20 cal. I'm worried the 10 twist might turn the 34 gr NIGHTMARE too fast and blow it up in pieces. Any thoughts on that?

CBI match grade & hand lapped made by Criterian makes that in a 1/11".
I ordered one today for my 20P Savage build.

 

[ohlongarmisle]

I'm rebarrelling my 40-XBR in 204 RUGER or 20 Practical. I use 34 gr NIGHTMARES and 40 gr VMAX. What twist barrel will work best, 10 or 12 twist

My Thompson 204 has a 1/10 twist I shoot 24gr ntx,39,and 40 gr,factory they all work perfectly in my particular rifle.