Help Me Choose a Twist Rate

[Bam Bam]

I am getting close to purchasing a Tikka in .308... However, I am stuck between 2 models, one with a 1:11 twist rate, and the other with a 1:9.5 twist rate. I plan to shoot 150, 165, and 175 grain bullets through it. Which choice is better for accuracy and barrel longevity? Thanks all.

 

[SticksMcKinley]

My T3 Lite in .308 is 1:11. I just zeroed it a couple of weeks ago with 168gr Silvertips and they were sub-MOA if that helps.

 

[D_Walt]

My son’s tikka t3 superlite .308 Win is a 1:11 and it shoots 175 SMK’s just fine out to 500 yards. But if I had to pick I’d go with the 9.5 to avoid issues with heavier bullets. I doubt there’s any barrel life issue either way. It’s a .308 so you’ll get several thousand rounds out of the barrel. Basically you can’t go wrong.

 

[ridn9high]

If you plan on shooting subs, I’d go with the 1:9.5. If not, the 1:11 will be great. I shoot 168’s out to 1k with a 1:12

 

[Keep on]

If you'd be looking to shoot heavier copper bullets maybe I'd worry about a faster twist, but shooting lead up to 175 1:11 should be fine.
I have a T3X .308 1:11 that shoots 165 lead and 150 Barnes TSX's fine, I also have a 300 WM T3X with a 1:10 twist that shoots 180 Hornady cx's very well.

 

[kodiakisland]

If it's for hunting or general shooting, the 11 is fine. If you are going to suppress it and shoot 220s, go 9.5.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Which model has a 9.5 twist? Never heard of that.

Either should work fine. I don’t think I’d shoot anything that requires more than a 11 twist in a 308 unless doing subs like folks mentioned and in that case I’d want faster than 9.5.

 

[Wild Bill]

I’ve got a 1:11 and it loves Barnes TTSX 168s, as well as Berger Hybrid Hunter 168s. No issues out to probably 550 or so.

 

[turbobrick]

There is an argument for faster twist adding more rotational energy to an expanding projectile with little to no loss in linear energy, especially with expanding monos. Personally, I'll always take the faster twist.

ETA: Keeping in mind I’m the guy that has a 1:5 300blk and a 1:3 8.6blk.

 

[88man]

There is an argument for faster twist adding more rotational energy to an expanding projectile with little to no loss in linear energy, especially with expanding monos. Personally, I'll always take the faster twist.

ETA: Keeping in mind I’m the guy that has a 1:5 300blk and a 1:3 8.6blk.

I am wanting a 8.6blk. Have you killed game with it yet? If so what bullet and speed?

 

[turbobrick]

I am wanting a 8.6blk. Have you killed game with it yet? If so what bullet and speed?

I have not killed anything with it yet, the state of Nevada has not seen fit to grace me with an appropriate tag. I have three projectiles that I'd use for hunting; 350gn Maker Rex, 345gn Cutting Edge, and the one I'll probably hunt with, the 280gn Discreet. The 300gn Sierra Matchking shoot really well out of my 8" bolt gun, great plinker load. I might take the 8.6 with me to AZ for my rifle javelina hunt coming up.

 

[Billinthedesert]

I'm with Turbobrick, preferring the faster twist if given a choice. It may not be ideal for the very lightest-for-caliber varmint-style bullets in a given rifle, but offers some insurance if you ever find a need for the heaviest weights.

 

[Bam Bam]

Which model has a 9.5 twist? Never heard of that.

Either should work fine. I don’t think I’d shoot anything that requires more than a 11 twist in a 308 unless doing subs like folks mentioned and in that case I’d want faster than 9.5.

Good question- I believe that the other model that I was looking at was made by Weatherby, not Tikka.