Thread: 308 Twist rates v projectile weights ?

surprised someone hasnt said get a .243 instead LOL......

Originally Posted by gundoc

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

Ahhh, that's added another level, almost no wrong answer here

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A 1:12" twist will handle bullets from 100 grs to 200 grs as the biggest animals we shoot are Deer bullets from a .308 really don't need to be heavier than 180 grs
you start losing velocity going over that weight, 150 to 165 is all that is needed, Begaras are pretty short I have one in .44 mag 16.5" even with a muzzle forward DPT
suppressor it is still the shortest rifle I own, With a 20" barrel the Begara is still 4 to 7 inch shorter than a bolt action why would you want to give up the velocity advantage
by whacking 3" off it, With 180 grain bullets a 22" barrel is only making 2500fps.

The only reason to go for the faster twists in a 308 barrel is if you think at any point in the future youmight like to try specialist subsonic projectiles like Lehigh and Cutting Edge etc.
Since most hunters find the cost of these far too butt puckering there is not much point in a faster twist for them. Those who want to use them or do use them already know whats needed to do so.
The 16 inch Bergaras are very portable. I have one.
if someone made a bolt action 308 with 1-8 twist 20 inch barrel everyone would be happy.

The 3006 standard twist is 1:10 and the 308 1:12 the 06 can handle 250 grain projectiles and they are still loaded for big game overseas. Yet both seem best with the 150 to 175 grain range.
People get twisted over twist rate but the standard twist does 99.9% of everything.
Also it's projectile speed and length more than weight that determines if it will stableise or not.

Originally Posted by mikee

The only reason to go for the faster twists in a 308 barrel is if you think at any point in the future youmight like to try specialist subsonic projectiles like Lehigh and Cutting Edge etc.
Since most hunters find the cost of these far too butt puckering there is not much point in a faster twist for them. Those who want to use them or do use them already know whats needed to do so.
The 16 inch Bergaras are very portable. I have one.
if someone made a bolt action 308 with 1-8 twist 20 inch barrel everyone would be happy.

and most folks who do try subsonics,realise the awesome 151s Robert makes do just about as good of job at fraction of the price and will stabalise in just about anything..... then after using subs for a bit...go back to supers and keep the subs for plinking and finishing off rounds and are happy LOL.

Ye old 308 case makes it's best performance in short barrels from heavier pills, especially for down range distances but for what you're planning I wouldn't be to worried, both will work.

If you are running a super short barrel, then projectile choice is important, for low speed - soft nose stuff is the way to go. I tried 155g A-maxes in my 30 ARX & it was super accurate but not a killer

Thanks for all the great advice to everyone who contributed.
I got down to H&F yesterday and got my hands on the 16.5 inch 308 version. Really cool little rifle, not super light but a lot lighter than I am used to. Shoulders well and fits nicely.
I will order the 1.12 20 inch version and get it cut back 2-3 inches from there.
Scope will be next which will be interesting as I want it to be mid size , not to bulky and capped turrets. Probably something with a ballistic reticle.

you know its not a huge expense to get it cut and rethreaded???...you COULD run with it full length for a bit then cut shorter if it really feels needed....I used to run really short barrels but have got past it now...even in thick bush the longer barrel isnt huge issue and it makes me slow down...never a bad thing.
look forward to seeing how you get on with rifle,whichever way you decide to go.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

you know its not a huge expense to get it cut and rethreaded???...you COULD run with it full length for a bit then cut shorter if it really feels needed....I used to run really short barrels but have got past it now...even in thick bush the longer barrel isnt huge issue and it makes me slow down...never a bad thing.
look forward to seeing how you get on with rifle,whichever way you decide to go.

Yep I agree, but this project is all about fitting inside a pack. I want it out of sight, assembled when needed then disassembled. Keep both hands free for walking and easy transportation on a dirt bike or similar.

Originally Posted by viper

Yep I agree, but this project is all about fitting inside a pack. I want it out of sight, assembled when needed then disassembled. Keep both hands free for walking and easy transportation on a dirt bike or similar.

Get the short one then, the faster twist is more versatile anyway.

I can report mine shot very well this morning with a low power variable scope and 168gn ELDms generally small groups round the inch mark. Not so good with the Sako Factory loads (150gn soft points) more Minute of 1/2 an A4 page but still good enough for most things.
No suppressor yet as the Alok adapter needs fitting properly by gunsmith or I need a different suppresor so the thing is Loud Loud Loud.
Over all I really like it although reloading in hurry may be challenging.
Great value for money although I over capitalised on mine with the optics

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Get the short one then, the faster twist is more versatile anyway.

This has been an interesting thread and there seems to be no wrong answer here. When Gundoc suggests 1.12 and Tikka is binging steel with a short barrel 1.11 at 750 plus the 1.12 seems to make sense. I have zero interest in subsonic . I like the 150 to 180 gr projectiles, good velocity and energy that get the best from the 308.

May I suggest if buying new then if you buy a 16 inch model you will not need to send it to be shortened, the warrenty will remain intact and you will be shooting in no time.
1-8 will still work with 125gn bullets. Put the $$ you save not needing it shortened into a suppressor, you will need it if you like your hearing.

Originally Posted by mikee

May I suggest if buying new then if you buy a 16 inch model you will not need to send it to be shortened, the warrenty will remain intact and you will be shooting in no time.
1-8 will still work with 125gn bullets. Put the $$ you save not needing it shortened into a suppressor, you will need it if you like your hearing.

Hi Mike, I already have a 30 cal dpt suppressor that swaps between my current 308 and 223, I will be using that again.
The short 16.5 apparently is a bit of a mongrel to supress without a particular suppressor made for it or you need to alter the foregrip.
I am lucky to have a mate down the road who is a epic gunsmith and does my work . The beauty of the 20 inch barely is I can trim it back to desired length.
No problem with reloading Mikee, just make the first one stick.