Twist Rate Question For Custom .260

[Snareman]

Ok, there's companies out there that can custom make my .260 barrel I'm thinking of having made.  I see there are some that are already in stock... not having to be made.

I see a .260 barrel already made that has a 1:8 twist that is for larger bullets like 140 grains.  I'm wishing to shoot a lighter bullet than that.  I would like to shoot a 120 grain bullet.

What I like is that this barrel is already made.  If  I want it customized at a different twist rate, then we're talking approx. $50 more.

Is this a good twist rate for my 120 grain bullet choice?  By searching I would think a higher twist rate would be better, like 1:10. ??  A Federal 120gr. Nosler tip would fly around 2,950 fps.

I'm a rookie at all this stuff, so your opinions, advice, tips, etc, are most welcome.

Thanks,

Snareman

[BobT]

IMHO The 8 twist should work fine for your purposes, you could use a slower twist for lighter bullets but then if you decided in the future that you would like to shoot the heavier ones you would be at a disadvantage accuracy wise. Besides there is that $50.00 and the fact that you won't have to wait for a couple of months!

Bob

[Graybeard]

There is no disadvantage to having a twist rate a bit faster than needed and it helps if you use longer thus heavier bullets later. There is such a thing as "too much of a good thing" even in rifling twist rates but with a 6.5mm it would be way faster than a 1 in 8" twist rate to be too much.

My .260 Remington (a model 7 Remington CDL) should be sitting at the local gunstore waiting on me now I think. My plans for it are mostly to use the Hornady 129s, the Nosler 125 PT and Nosler 130 AB. I won't say I'll never use 140s as I might but that's not the intended use for it as that's what 7-08s are for in my opinion and if I need more than that well there is always the Model 7 .308 sitting around waiting its turn. But it I really want to make into a .338 Federal or .358 Winchester some day.

[Snareman]

My .260 Remington (a model 7 Remington CDL) should be sitting at the local gunstore waiting on me now...

I didn't need to hear that.

Just teasin' me aren't you?  Love the caliber!

Thanks for the replies gentleman.  Sounds good.  The wait time would be longer than 8 weeks.  LOL!  I'm likin' the fact I could get something already made up for less, plus no wait time anyway!

Snareman

[Lone Star]

The two .260s I've owned - an M7 and an M700 VLS - both had 9" twist rates and shot 142-grain match bullets just fine.  Those are match bullets, not hunting bullets.  Hunting bullets are shorter and easier to stabilize.  For your 120 BTs anything from 8" to 10" should work fine.


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[Joe58]

I shoot a 26" .260 Encore barrel from Fox Ridge with the 1 in 8 twist. I am using the Nosler 120 gr. BT  and can usually stay right around 1" groups with it if I do my part. I am still playing with test loads for the 120's as that is what I want to shoot too. I've tried the 129 gr Hornady's, and they shot well, and the 140 gr Core Lokts shot well too. All in all, I'm very pleased with it.

Joe

[HEAD0001]

I may be going against the grain, but here goes.  I have always had my best luck(accuracy) with heavy for caliber bullet's for hunting(and accuracy).  If you are wanting to shoot 120 grain bullet's then I would drop down to a 25 caliber cartridge.  The 25-06 would give you an advantage in velocity over the 260(or at least comparable), and the 257 Robert's or 250 Savage would give you a very pleasant rifle to shoot with 120 grain bullet's. 

I have loaded for four different 6.5's.  They all preferred the 140's. 

If you definitely want the 260, and you definitely want the 120's, then I would hold out and get that 1in9 or 1in10 twist for the 120's.   Just by saying that you are willing to compromise because of $50, or a faster delivery time leads me to believe that you are not 100% sure what you want.  Tom.

[Graybeard]

I didn't need to hear that.

Just teasin' me aren't you?  Love the caliber!

Nope not at all. The last time I was in the gunshop I priced it and told him to order it for me. I fully expect it to be there when I stop back in.