7mm-08 Barrel Twist ?

After searching and finding
http://savageshooters.com/SavageForu...c,19971.0.html

This was discussed, but not addressed or finalized, really.

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Savage 16FHLSS 7-mm-08 Twist Rate
« on: January 08, 2009, 11:50:02 AM »
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In early December I bought a brand new 16FHLSS (Hinged floor plate, left handed) in 7mm-08 Remington. After I ordered it, I got around to reading the 2008 Savage catalog in detail and found the published twist rate was 1 in 11.5" However, the web site claims 1-9.5".

Now a twist rate 1-9 or 1-9.5" is almost universal for any 7 mm. Remington, Browning and Winchester use 1-9.25" for every 7 mm they sell (7mm-08, 7mm WSM and 7mm Rem Mag.) and even Savage uses 1-9.5 for their 7 mm Rem Mag and 1-10" for the 7 mm WSM.

A twist of 1-11.5 seems abnormally slow for a 7mm, particularly a relatively low velocity round like the 7-08. I'm concerned it may not stabilize anything above 140 gr, if that.

So, I called Savage to see which twist was correct, 1-11.5" or 1-9.5", hoping it was the later. I called on three occasions and each time I was told it was 1-11.5" but no one seemed to know how they choose it.

I've tried to measure the twist using a tight patch on a cleaning rod and seeing how far the rod traveled for one rotation but the results have been ambiguous.

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I posted there but hit this: Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 45 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

So, here goes a first post. What is the twist rate for the Savage's 7mm-08 ? My concern comes from the Berger bullets website where they recommend a 1:10 twist for their target bullets 140g or over. Thanks !!

Is anyone shooting the Berger or SMK >140 gr target or VLD match bullets with any success ?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Does anyone know when they changed to the 11.5 twist? Either by date or serial #.

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 ?

they may be sitting on some .260s from when they did sell it as a normal production gun.

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.