"new" 7/08 Stevens twist rate

[rsbhunter]

I am wondering if anybody on the forum has shot 160gr and heavier bullets out of their Stevens 200s? My son in law and myself both bought Stevens 200's in 7/08 and i was going to sell mine, or at least rebarrel it...but he took his out today for the first time to break in the bbl....shooting Winchester x 140gr. factory loads, printed 3, one hole, 3 shot groups at 50 yards....and then shot a one hole group at 100...maybe .400 ctc!!! if these shoot this good, mines getting a base, rings, and scope, as well as a trigger from SSS ordered, instead of being for sale in the classifieds!!!.....I have a 200 in.223 and it will consistantly shoot one hole with Berger 52gr. at 100yards....but i figured it was a "lucky" gun....any one shoot the 162, 168 grain bullets out a stock bbl? Thanks, rsbhunter

[rsbhunter]

Nobody shooting heavy bullets out of these? rsbhunter

[thomae]

I plan to purchase some heavy 7mm bullets and try them (Midway is having a sale on discontinued Speer bullets) but it will be a while before I get to shoot them.

Too many projects half completed! ???

[hunter2]

Don't buy too many. I think they went back to a slow twist.

[thomae]

Current Savage/Stevens 7mm twist rate is 1:9.5.
Shouldn't that stabilize most 160-175 bullets?

[m_freeman]

check the Berger website I think they want a 9.5 for their 168 VLD

[Cycler]

check the Berger website I think they want a 9.5 for their 168 VLD

I assume that 9.5" twist is a minimum and that a faster twist like 9" or even 8" works well too.

[powderburn]

My buddy has one. It does fine with the speer 140's but when he tried various heavier bullets it didn't do so well. Not to mind as the 140's are ideal imho for the 7mm08.

[Varget 7-08]

I shoot the 140 SGK out of mine, prints amazing groups.

[Cycler]

My buddy has one. It does fine with the speer 140's but when he tried various heavier bullets it didn't do so well. Not to mind as the 140's are ideal imho for the 7mm08.

Depending on when your buddy's rifle was made, it may have the 11.5" twist Savage used for 7-08 barrels for a couple of years. (Why? No one knows) Apparently they stabilize up to 140 gr standard jacketed lead core bullets ok but are marginal with anything heavier or with the longer all-copper or VLD configuration bullets.

[powderburn]

Sorry you are correct. I need to read more closely. Completely skipped over the "NEW" .