Twist rate debate

[Desertguy]

Looked through some old threads and couldn’t find the exact answer to the question. Which option would have worse ballistics: 22” with a 1:8 twist or a 24” with a 1:9.5” twist? Seems like the difference in length and twist would be a wash, but want to hear from someone smarter than me.

7 rem mag and 168 Berger Hybrids for sake of discussion. TIA

 

[Axlrod]

Not sure what you mean by "worse balistics". But as long as you have a fast enough twist to stabalize the bullet you're shooting, there should't be much difference in a couple incehs of barrel length and 1.5" of twist. So if a 9.5" twist will stabalize, an 8" twist will probably not change much.

 

[199p]

same same bro

 

[EastHumboldt]

You get to a point where the slower twist rate won’t stabilize longer bullets. What that is for a 168 grain bullet I don’t know. Maybe somebody who does know can chime in on whether velocity affects stability given the same bullet annd same twist. Are you building a gun and trying to pick between the two barrels?

 

[Desertguy]

You get to a point where the slower twist rate won’t stabilize longer bullets. What that is for a 168 grain bullet I don’t know. Maybe somebody who does know can chime in on whether velocity affects stability given the same bullet annd same twist. Are you building a gun and trying to pick between the two barrels?

Exactly. It seems like a 168gr would probably not have much difference, but I wanted to shoot a heavier grain (175-180) than I could see some differences coming into play. That’s where I see the barrel length becoming important. Not building a gun, but I don’t want the gun I get to be capped at a certain bullet grain because of twist…

 

[RME]

I don’t want the gun I get to be capped at a certain bullet grain because of twist…

I think that answers your question, go with 8

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Exactly. It seems like a 168gr would probably not have much difference, but I wanted to shoot a heavier grain (175-180) than I could see some differences coming into play. That’s where I see the barrel length becoming important. Not building a gun, but I don’t want the gun I get to be capped at a certain bullet grain because of twist…

Then get the faster twist. With modern boulders and powder, people are getting plenty of velocity out of 20” barrels to shoot further than most of us should be shooting.

 

[waspocrew]

I think that answers your question, go with 8

^^ This. Go with the 8 twist. Won't handicap you at all.

 

[270-300]

The question to ask yourself is do you need an 8 or 9 twist for the bullets you will be shooting. Once you have the twist rate, then decide if you want longer barrel for more speed or shorter barrel for more handling. The difference for either option will be minimal to the average hunter.