New barrel length and Twist input 243win

I'm considering getting a new 243win barrel for a Savage 110. Looking more for a range, maybe field gun. Not too concerned with weight, as if going out it won't too much walking or hiking. Would use a SSS recoil lug, Timney trigger and hopefully a Manners EH4 or MCS-T if I can get in a group buy.

Thinking SS maybe Shilen or Apache gunworks, any other recs?
Wouldn't like to go past 24" and maybe even 23", though 22 wouldn't bother me, unless velocity drops too much. Also thinking Varmint contour or Savage heavy sporter - Differences?
I'd like to shoot bullets in the 80-105grain range, so from what I've read a 1:8 or 1:9 would be ideal. Is 1:9 better suited?

Thanks for your opinions

Most savage factory 1:9.25 twist is able to stabilize the Amax, so a 1:9 would be fine.

I use a 8.5 twist barrel on my .243 and shoot the Hornady 105 BTHP very accurately. 8 will shoot 105-115s but seeing as you want to stick with 80-105s then i say go 8.5. I like longer barrels, 26" now and my old one was 27", so I don't have to push it hard to get velocity. With H4350 I easily get close to 3100fps and found a very accurate load at 3080fps. If you aren't worried about weight then go with a little longer barrel and stick with a Varmint or Med Palma contour.

1-8 for the heavy bullets as some 9 twist barrels won't stabilize the longer bullets. Mind you I said some. Well Rob beat me to it

You would be much better off if your were using 1/8 you would be able to use 100, 105, 107's with no issues at all.

Get an 8 twist.....no doubt about it

Now that 1:8 is set for the twist, barrel length is up to you. If you want a 23" then get it. I will tell you that if you cannot hit what you are aiming for with a 23" barrel inside of 1000 yards it is not because of the length. Now, if I was building a dedicated 1K rifle then it would have at least a 26" barrel on it because I suck at reading wind and any little bit of velocity helps.

+ 1 0n the 8t I would go a #5 conture

Thanks for the info guys. When it happens, I will go 1-8 and may stay at 22", as that is what the gun has now, though may go with a little heavier contour to allow a bit more shooting before it warms up. Not sure 23" will gain anything but weight.
I will likely stay with bullets in the 95-105 range, more than the 80s. Currently shoot 95gr BTs, and I don't think I will shoot 115s. And for sure I don't have anywhere to shoot 1k, so I'll stay with reasoble and practical for now.

My other centerfire is a 7mmRM, so along a 22LR, I have pretty much everything covered with the 243.

You can figure for every inch of barrel length that you add, will be 100-200 fps, (Estimated gain). 24" or 26" work very well, myself I like 26-28 inch barrels, little more weight to slow recoil down, the extra velocity which will allow for the slower powders to burn at their full potential. And last but not least, with the longer barrel you can set it back once or twice and get the maximum barrel life.

Respectfully
Mike

"100-200 fps" per inch ???

I'll go with about 25fps per inch.....

Two handy thingies....
http://www.shootforum.com/forum/bulletdb.html
http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

Bill

Gun Shack has a Mcgowen 24" 1-8 sporter in stock.

What about for shooting the heavier 105-115 gr bullets? Would 1:7.5 be better?

I keep hearing the 105s are optimally suited for a 1:8, whereas the heavier 115 Target VLDs and DTACs are better suited for the faster twists. I'm trying to meet somewhere in the middle so that I'm able to shoot both (115s when I can find 'em, 105+s when I can't).

Go with a 7.7 twist. Will work great for both.

Thanks Rob, figured you might have a say. That's what I will do.

In my experience I have been able to stabilize the 115 DTAC in my 8 twist barrel, but if it wasn't a true 8 twist it would be questionable. If going down to a 22" barrel I'd go with a 7 twist in order to still stabilize the heavies even with lower velocities. Both 105's and 115's run well in a 7 twist. I will be going be to the 7 twist after I burn up the other 8 twist on my shelf. I run a 26" Heavy Varmint, Would probably stay pretty close to the same contour even if running a short barrel.

Hodgdon has load data for 105gr and 107gr with a 10 twist in 243

Dean