Squeaky 135 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Hello: I've noticed two versions of a Savage 10 .308 rifle. I wonder why they exist and if there is any real difference in accuracy. Both have 24" barrels. The first version has a straight, heavy barrel with a 1:10 twist. The newer version has a threaded, slightly tapered heavy barrel with 5R rifling and a 1 : 11.25 twist. My question is why would the twist rate be changed? Doesn't a faster twist rate stabilize a bullet more and therefore is more accurate? Just wondering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Some projectiles may perform better with a slower twist. If I were spending money on a bolt rifle, I'd likely put more weight in it having a detachable box mag than an exact twist. Savage makes a great bolt gun and would be my first choice. Easy to work on too. Some hate the Accutrigger, but it is ok once you get used to it. Whatever the twist rate, you will likely have to try a at least a few different loads before you nail down one that it really loves, no matter the twist rate. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Generally a slower twist rate will not stabilize heavier bullets as well, but can handle bullets lighter and faster than one would normally push. Say a .308 with a 110 gr. bullet will theoretically perform better in the slower twist rate barrel at 3270 fps that a 180 gr. bullet at 2300 fps. In smaller calibers such as .223 you'll see twist rates as slow as 1:14" for tiny 40 gr. bullets that are moving so fast they would spin apart from a 1:7" twist rate barrel. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Incidentally, 24" gives you a scosch more velocity, but 18" is going to be a shade more accurate in a 308 generally speaking. Shorter barrel = a proportionally stiffer barrel. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
patriot 7,197 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Start with Federal Gold Medal Match and see how that shoots. That stuff shoots better than any handload I've worked up in my Savage 308. My 223 likes my handloads better. Consistently WAY under 1 MOA. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HB of CJ 1,263 Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 Might be something as simple as what barrel blanks were available at the time of the production run? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 The 5R rifled barrel may behave as if it had the faster rifling of a button rifled barrel. That may be the reason for the slower twist. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IndyArms 10,186 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 http://faxonfirearms.com/blog/what-and-why-5r-rifling/ I saw this...thought it was informative and interesting... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 http://faxonfirearms.com/blog/what-and-why-5r-rifling/ I saw this...thought it was informative and interesting... Hmmm, I guess one can reinvent the wheel, or at least customize it. Here's a couple more links: http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifling_twist_rate.htm http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_barrel.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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