Re: 7mm-08 Barrel Twist ?
My shooting buddy just bought a 7mm-08 stevens 200 with 11.5 twist. I gave him a handful of odds and ends 7mm bullets that I had ranging from 139 gr to 160 gr some pointed some round nose. He reported they all shot within about a 3-4 inch circle and individual weights grouped from 1" to 1.5" . Moral I wouldn't worry, Just find a bullet that shoots how you like and go hunting.
Re: 7mm-08 Barrel Twist ?
Thanks Powder. I called Savage this Am and expressed my concern that 11.5 was the wrong twist. They asked wrong for what ? And I said 150 g SMK and Berger 168g. She got another staff who said his barrels are indeed 11.5-inch, and shot up to 140gr. Nosler partitions very well. He said they do NOT shoot bullets greater than 140gr, i.e. my bullets of interest. Or, any HC high ballistic coefficient heavier bullets. >:( They do not make another twist .284 cal barrrel. Since they don't make a .264/6.5mm either, I see a gap, a huge gap in long range target caliber guns fom Savage between 6mm and 7.62. I think it rules out purchasing a Savage for me. Has anyone shot any Savage in this range of bullet calibers at distances where high BC is critical, i.e. 600 and 1,000 yards ? What did you shoot ? They seem to have missed a whole market segment here. Oh well.
Re: 7mm-08 Barrel Twist ?
The 11 twist is fairly new to the Savage/Stevens line. The older Savage's and Stevens had 1-9.5. Don't even know why they changed the 7x08 unless they figured most people would be shooting 140g bullets or less.
Re: 7mm-08 Barrel Twist ?
They bumped up the twist a full 2 inches. Thats a huge change. And shot down all the historically useful high sectional density long bullets that made the 7x57mm a big game round, and decapitated the round for high ballistic coefficient long range target work. I haven't shot a 7mm-08. So whats left is 120, 130 and 140 gr hunting bullets ? Thats .260 Rem and 25-06 country. No viable Long range target bullets. Anyone who has shot this caliber see where I am going ?? Has anyone shot the Berger 7mm 140 Grain Match Hunting VLD ? Thats still an ballistically inferior bullet than a 100 year old 140gr 6.5 x 55 FMJ Swede bullet.
Re: 7mm-08 Barrel Twist ?
Does anyone know when they changed to the 11.5 twist? Either by date or serial #.
Re: 7mm-08 Barrel Twist ?
The edge is a "no frills entry level hunting weapon". Savage told me on the phone yesterday that their 7-08 barrels are all 11.5 twist. Yet when I spoke with them previously, when I was thinking about .260 cal, they said they can make a 11 series with a .260 barrel for about $75 additional. So they make custom barrels ? Or a limited range of optional chamberings ? Can they make a 9 or 10 twist .284 cal barrel for $75 ? Their 7mm mag is 1:9 twist. ??? That cant be easily set back to 7mm-08, the case diameter is too big (?) So aftermarket barrels start at over $200, not counting any chambering finish work. Anyone know for sure ?
Re: 7mm-08 Barrel Twist ?
they may be sitting on some .260s from when they did sell it as a normal production gun.
Re: 7mm-08 Barrel Twist ?
I have both of these barrels and I plan on testing them out to 800 yards with 140's in both of them. In the 9.5 I will also try some 162 Amax's. If the 11.5 does not do good with the 140 then I'll go lighter down to a 120. I believe if twist was a big issue for me I'd by the Savage and by an A&B barrel from Midway that is 9.5 twist and 24" long and smile all the way to the range. ;D If Savage hear's from the consumer enough times they may do something to reslove the issue. I bought my 9.5 SS 22" barrel off of 6mmbr, once in awhile they pop up or you can simply post for one an asked to be pm'd.