Max bullet weight in .358 bore using 1-20" twist?

[EdK]

Yes, I'm aware this bore diameter typically is set up with a 1-14" or 1-16" twist rate. Anyhow, I spotted a barrel blank for a project with the twist rate of 1-20". I was wondering how heavy a bullet could be stabilized? I know it isn't an exact science so any empirical evidence from the field is just as applicable (if not more so) than applying a Greenhill formula, etc.

I certainly wasn't looking to stabilize 250 gr. bullets but would the cutoff be 180s, 200s, etc. (@ approx 2200 fps)?

Thaks for any help, Ed

[trotterlg]

You will probably be surprised at how heavy a bullet will shoot good out of it, most barrels over stabalize bullets.  I had a 1 in 17 22-250 that would stabalize a 55gr bullet to at least 100 yards.  It is really the length of the bullet that matters, so a nice round nosed one with a flat base will be the best bet.  If you have excel spread sheet on your computer you can try running the numbers on this online program.  Larry

http://www.22-250.com/bullet/bulletstabilitycalc.xls

[Cat Whisperer]

The maximum is the maximum LENGTH (closely related to maximum weight, but not EXACTLY the same).

The Greenhill formula (do a google search) is a good place to start.  It ASSUMES a simple flat base and pointed nose (with perhaps a 2r ogive).  It relates diameter, length, velocity and twist.

As a point of reference, I have a Rem 700 in .35 Wheelen with 1:16 twist.  It will not stabilize a 280gr cast bulelt (Lyman 358009). 

More velocity helps, that's a trade-off for me as I want the heaviest cast bullet, but not great velocity.

That's a starting place.  There will undoubtedly be someone who has one of the calculators at his fingertips who will run it for you.

[EdK]

Thanks for the input and I do stand corrected: it is indeed length I should have mentioned instead of weight. Of course we don't commonly say "my Rem Whelen has a tough time stabilizing anything greaterthan 1.150" long" but, right or wrong, rather "my Rem Whelen is only good for around 250gr or so.

Anyhow, using Greenhill I determined all bullets up to 180gr and round nose to 200gr(by plugging in length) should be OK. Around 200g but certainly by 225gr many spitzers may prove problematic (theoretically).