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Products::Rifle Barrels::Calibers and Twists

The information below will help you select the best barrel twist for your specific needs, providing of course there are multiple choices. If you'll be shooting one bullet weight, choose a twist from the chart just fast enough to stabilize it. Too fast a twist simply overspins the bullet and may result in reduced accuracy. On the other hand, a twist too slow for any bullet will likely produce instability, keyholing and rotten accuracy. So if you're going to be using several bullet weights, be sure to select a twist that will stabilize the heaviest one, since lighter bullets will also be stabilized.

By way of explanation, the numbers in the "Twist" column indicate how far the bullet must travel through the bore to make one full revolution. This is determined by the rate of rotation of the rifling. For example, a 9"-twist barrel spins the bullet one full turn when it passes 9 inches through the bore. In a 16"-twist barrel, the bullet makes one revolution in 16 inches. So at the same bullet velocity, the 9" twist is faster (spins the bullet faster) than the 16" twist. Consequently, as the chart reflects in the .224 CF section, the 9" twist is necessary for stabilizing heavier bullet weights.

Again looking at the .224 CF section, if you're planning to shoot 55-grain bullets, the 14" twist is ideal. This twist is also the best choice for 52- and 53-grain match bullets driven at moderate velocities. But if you're also contemplating shooting a 60-grainer, go with the 12" twist, since it will stabilize all the bullets you'll be using. As you can see from the 15" and 16" twists, higher velocities also spin the bullet faster and may enable a slower-than-recommended twist to stabilize a marginally overweight bullet. However, this is tricky stuff best left to those who are highly experienced in operating at the ragged edge of stability and sanity.

The basic principles just outlined apply to all the calibers below.
If you are still unsure or need a recommendation we recommend contacting a bullet maker, they do the testing to determine what twist rate will best stabalize their bullets.



Caliber Twist:

.172
- 9" for bullets heavier than 30 gr.
- 10" for bullets up to 30 gr.

.204/20
- 9" for VLD bullets
- 10" for bullets up to 45 gr.
- 12" for bullets up to 39 gr.

.222 RF
- 10" * 60 gr. bullets Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 12" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 14" * Twist for pistol barrels
- 15" * Special twist for rifle barrels
- 16" Standard twist for rifle barrels Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 17" * Special twist for rifle barrels

.224 CF
- 6.5" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 7" for bullets up to 90 gr.
- 7.5" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 8" for bullets 80 gr. and under
- 8" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 9" for bullets up to 70 gr.
- 10" * for bullets up to 65 gr.
- 12" for bullets up to 63 gr.
- 14" for bullets up to 55 gr.

6mm/.243
- 7" Special for VLD bullets over 100 gr.
- 7.5" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 8" Special for VLD bullets over 100 gr.
- 8" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 10" For bullets up to 95 gr. and VLD under 100 gr.
- 12" for bullets up to 85 gr.
- 13" * for bullets up to 75 gr.
- 13.5" * for bullets up to 70 gr.
- 14" * for bullets up to 70 gr.
- 14" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 15" * Special for bullets up to 70 gr.

.257
- 7" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 9" for bullets heavier than 100 gr.
- 10" for bullets up to 100 gr.
- 12" for bullets up to 90 gr.
- 13" * for bullets up to 80 gr.

6.5mm/.264
- 7" * for bullets heavier than 130 gr.
- 8" for bullets heavier than 130 gr.
- 8" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 9" for bullets up to 130 gr.

.270
- 8.5" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove consult your bullet maker
- 10" for all bullets
- 11" * for all bullets - 4 groove

7mm/.284
- 8" for all bullets-customer discretion 180 gr. VLD
- 8" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 9" for bullets up to 170 gr.
- 11" for bullets up to 140 gr.
- 12" * special for high velocity

.307
- 13" * Special size and twist

.308
- 7" * for heavy VLD bullets and/or subsonic ammo.
- 8" for bullets heavier than 220 gr.
- 8" Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 10" for bullets up to 220 gr.
- 10" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 12" for bullets up to 170 gr.
- 13" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 14" * for bullets up to 168gr.
- 15" * for bullets up to 150 gr.
- 17" * for bullets up to 125 gr.
- 17" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove

7.65mm/.311
- 10" for all bullets

8mm/.323
- 10" for all bullets

.338
- 8" for all bullets
- 9" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 10" for all bullets

9mm/.355
- 10" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 14" for low velocity wad cutters
- 16" for all other bullets

9.3mm/.365
- 12" for all bullets

.38/.357
- 14" for low velocity wad cutters
- 18" for all other bullets

.358
- 12" for all bullets
- 14" for all bullets

.375
- 7.5" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 9.5" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 12" for all bullets

10mm/.400
- 16" for all bullets

.411
- 14" for all bullets

.416
- 14" for all bullets

.44
- 20" for all bullets
- 16" for low velocity wad cutters

.451
- 16" for all bullets

.458
- 14" for all bullets

* Stainless Steel only



Black Powder Barrels (1.250" x 30"):

.32
- 14", 16" .320 groove

.38
- 20" .379 groove

.40
- 20" .403 groove

.457
- 20" .457 groove



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