Thread: 308 Twist rates v projectile weights ?

Much more knowledge on here than I have so I thought I would put the question out.

I am looking at getting one of the Bergara single shot take down rifles in 308 win.
They basically come in two options.
1: 20 inch barrel with a 1/12 twist rate...or
2: 16.5 inch barrel with a 1/8 twist.

Either option will get suppressed with the 20 inch version probably chopped to 17 - 18 inchs as I want to take advantage of the take down feature and be able to fit it all in a backpack and only assemble it once required.

I know the 1.8 will allow for heavier pills but will it stabilise pills down to 125gr ?

Any advantages and disadvantages please let me know so I can make an informed decision on which version to get ....

Cheers Viper

16" 1:12 twist sends 200gn cast sideways - lol

I have the 16.5" version, I haven't tried 125gr but it's fine with 150s.

The 16.5 doesn't have open sights, but if you chop the 20 I guess it won't either!

it will work fine..the worst it will do is make them more fragile as they will be spinning faster...but you can slow them down if thats too much of an issue.

I have no issues with a 1:7 12” barrel using 125 gr BT, TMK and SST. So a 1:8 should be fine.

You've got it a bit backwards mate. The faster the twist, the heavier (longer) the bullets it will stabilise. The 1:8 twist is really fast - it'll have no problem at all stabilising 125gr (light, short) projectiles.

Unless you plan on shooting subs, I'd get the 1:12. @flock has one for sale I think. 1:12 will stabilise everything supersonic up to 180gr no problem.

Originally Posted by Pommy

You've got it a bit backwards mate. The faster the twist, the heavier (longer) the bullets it will stabilise. The 1:8 twist is really fast - it'll have no problem at all stabilising 125gr (light, short) projectiles.

Unless you plan on shooting subs, I'd get the 1:12. @flock has one for sale I think. 1:12 will stabilise everything supersonic up to 180gr no problem.

Spoke to Flock but we couldn't quite get things to line up so now I have the choice of going for either option. Thanks for your input, I am not interested in playing around with sub sonic loads but 180gr plus might be an option to reach further out .

Whats your plan how far and what animals are you targeting?

I went out to the range this morning for a quick shot before the wind got up to much. Was using my 16” 308win with a 1:11 twist, 168gr A-max first round hit on steel out to 770m. This combo smashes reds very well out to 440m. Could also do this the same with 178gr ELD-m.

Only a couple of inches off centre at 773m 19 degrees downhill in 3m/s wind so 300m and 400m is easy.

Originally Posted by tikka

Whats your plan how far and what animals are you targeting?

I went out to the range this morning for a quick shot before the wind got up to much. Was using my 16” 308win with a 1:11 twist, 168gr A-max first round hit on steel out to 770m. This combo smashes reds very well out to 440m. Could also do this the same with 178gr ELD-m.

Only a couple of inches off centre at 773m 19 degrees downhill in 3m/s wind so 300m and 400m is easy.

thats bloody good going!

Originally Posted by tikka

Whats your plan how far and what animals are you targeting?

I went out to the range this morning for a quick shot before the wind got up to much. Was using my 16” 308win with a 1:11 twist, 168gr A-max first round hit on steel out to 770m. This combo smashes reds very well out to 440m. Could also do this the same with 178gr ELD-m.

Only a couple of inches off centre at 773m 19 degrees downhill in 3m/s wind so 300m and 400m is easy.

@tikka , that's awesome mate, I won't or intend to shoot over 450 and hopefully mostly under that.
So the Golden question is if you could start from scratch would you go for the 1.8 or 1.12 twist ?

1;12 because it wont be as hard on soft projectiles going fast..... speer is good and cheap.

I would still go with the 16' 1:8 I bought for shooting suppressed bush hunting with the dog.
But I also have a 23.5" 1:12

@viper
For my style of hunting which is 80% stalking close on deer with the dog, high round count goat culling and preferably shooting heavy subs with a 300 blackout. The 308win is a stock standard tikka T3 chopped to 16” it has the factory 1:11 twist barrel and would rather have a 1:8 twist solely because I could run both Lehigh Defence subsonics and 168gr + heavy’s for longer range deer and goats across gully’s.

Once the barrel is cooked will rebarrel to 1:8 twist, the other bonus of a factory 1:8 barrel is the resale is easier and more sort after now days if your not into it anymore.

Originally Posted by tikka

@viper
For my style of hunting which is 80% stalking close on deer with the dog, high round count goat culling and preferably shooting heavy subs with a 300 blackout. The 308win is a stock standard tikka T3 chopped to 16” it has the factory 1:11 twist barrel and would rather have a 1:8 twist solely because I could run both Lehigh Defence subsonics and 168gr + heavy’s for longer range deer and goats across gully’s.

Once the barrel is cooked will rebarrel to 1:8 twist, the other bonus of a factory 1:8 barrel is the resale is easier and more sort after now days if your not into it anymore.

@tikka , great answer mate, that's gone along way too helping me make a decision.

Go for the 1:12 which will handle 125 -150 grainers well. The heavier bullets are not needed where we are!