Need 308 bullet recommendation

[Grego]

Hello gents,

Just ordered a 12 Benchrest rifle in .308. The barrel twist is 1:12. Would appreciate your recommendation/experiences with the best bullet weight for this twist. I plan to be shooting at 300 - 600 yard targets.

Thank'ee

[Fordoldfart]

One of the most accurate bullets for the 308 is a 168 gr. Boat tail. You might try to find some PPU 308 match 168 gr. It might just surprise you. For really long range a lot of folks use a 175-180 gr bullets. You will just have to see what it likes.

[jonbearman]

I too have had excellent accuracy with sierra and hornady and berger 168 grain bullets. If at 600 the 168's dont do it got heavier.

[charlie b]

Mine is a 1:10 twist so yours might like different bullets.

I find the best results with the higher BC 155's out at 600yd. Hornady ELD has been pretty good but I think the Berger's are a little better. Have not tried the Lapua Scenars yet. For the 1000yd I'd go straight to 175 SMK's. But, if the wind isn't blowing sometimes I do better at 1000yd with the 155s too.

You just have to see what your gun likes.

[jkv45]

Hello gents,

Just ordered a 12 Benchrest rifle in .308. The barrel twist is 1:12. Would appreciate your recommendation/experiences with the best bullet weight for this twist. I plan to be shooting at 300 - 600 yard targets.

Thank'ee
Does Savage offer different twist options in the same caliber?

Aren't most of the Savage .308s 1:10?

Isn't a faster twist usually better for long range? I would expect a benchrest rifle to be set-up for long range/heavy bullet.

[TORCHRIDER]

I bet the 155 Palma will work well. I run the 178 AMAX that I bought thousands of awhile back and they are freaking fantastic, but my barrel is 1/10. I think Hornady replaced the AMAX but it's basically the same bullet with a high temp tip.

[JeepsAndGuns]

Isn't a faster twist usually better for long range?

Yes and no.
A faster twist is better for heavy bullets, which are better for long rang.
Heavy bullets do better and long range than lighter bullets (not always, but most of the time). But to shoot heavy bullets you need a faster twist rate.

Never shot a 308 with that slow of a twist rate, so I am not sure if 175gr will perform well in it or not. The only way to know is to try it.

[gbflyer]

168 AMAX or ELDM or whatever they call it now is a slam dunk .308 Win projectile for your specified barrel and shooting distances.


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[shaffe48]

I think a 1-12 will handle most 180 grains. I shoot 180 even as a hunting rifle. My rifle is 1-10

[jkv45]

One explanation I found for the 1:12 twist on the .308 benchrest rifle was the long barrel (29") provided higher RPMs and stability than a more typical barrel length.

Sound right?

[shaffe48]

It provides more velocity and therefore more stability.

[Grego]

Does Savage offer different twist options in the same caliber?

Aren't most of the Savage .308s 1:10?

Isn't a faster twist usually better for long range? I would expect a benchrest rifle to be set-up for long range/heavy bullet.

I believe most Savage .308 are 1:10, but the benchrest was designed to shoot longer distances. I believe the 12 Palma is 1:13. Savage has reduced the number of the single shots in .308

[charlie b]

The slower twist is usually used when lighter bullets are the goal. But, when combined with a longer barrel then you can get higher velocities, which allows heavier bullets. So, when you have slower twist and longer barrel you could probably still shoot heavier bullets.

My 12BVSS has a 26" barrel and 1:10 twist.

FWIW, a faster twist alone is not better for longer range with the same size bullet. It does allow you to shoot a heavier bullet, which are usually better for longer ranges.