8 or 10 twist for 338

[jonaddis84]

Im ordering a new barrel for my Savage 338LM, Shilen offers their 338's in either 8 or 10 twist. I am shooting 300 scenars, and may try out the Hybrid VLD's someday.

Should I go with the 8 or will the 10 be sufficient for either bullet and allow a little extra velocity? Its going to be a 27" bull contour in their SS Match grade.

 

[AKAce]

Re: 8 or 10 twist for 338

I run 1:10 Shilen's in my .338's and have no issue with the 300 SMK's or the Hybrids. Plenty Stable past a mile.

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: 8 or 10 twist for 338

Good deal, I thought 8 seemed pretty fast except for shooting some exotic solids.

 

[Dogtown]

Re: 8 or 10 twist for 338

1:10 is fine for the 300's, it's just some of the longer solids need a 1:9 (1:9.4 seems popular as well).

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: 8 or 10 twist for 338

Just curious, has anyone ever done a comparison to see what kind of velocity differences there are between twist rates?

Just looking at it from an engineers perspective I would think you would potentially lose quite a bit of velocity with a faster twist rate.

 

[1fstTA]

Re: 8 or 10 twist for 338

between the two go with the 1 in 10

 

[Dogtown]

Re: 8 or 10 twist for 338

I think the velocity loss is insignificant. Bullets shot through rifling ride the bore far more loosely than a screw rides threads. If the latter was the case, the twist rate would have a significant impact on velocity.

 

[bowstryder]

Re: 8 or 10 twist for 338

go with the 1:10.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: 8 or 10 twist for 338

Go with 1 in 10. My Sako was 1 in 10 and stabilized heavies well.
As for velocity, I am not sure you would loose any. IMHO, the 8 twist would likely just increase pressure.