Since I still live in charred California (and mainly hunt here, too, unfortunately)) where no lead projectiles can be used for hunting starting 2019. I'm getting a stainless 5R 28" barrel for my Savage magnum action. I can't use the 143 gr ELD-X, 142 gr Accubond LR, 140 gr Elite or VLD Hunter projectiles. The Barnes 127 gr LRX, 120 TTSX, Nosler 120 gr E-tip, or Hornady 120 gr GMX would be the lineup for being launched from the new 264 Win Mag barrel. This is a hunting barrel (deer), not a LR target shooting rig. The Sierra 150 gr Matchking requires a 7.5" twist, per Sierra. More heavy 6.5mm projectiles are coming, I think (I don't think that heavier homogenous, non-lead are coming though but I could be wrong). Should I use the 8" twist or plan ahead and go w/ the 7.5"? Your thoughts? -Mark

There is no disadvantage to the faster twist. Get it, keep your options open.

David

MarknMaggie,

All of the monolithic bullets you list are designed to stabilize in 1-8 twists in just about any environmental conditions, even from much slower rounds then the .264 Winchester. I sincerely doubt that a 1-7.5 twist would make any difference, but there's no reason not to use the 7.5 if that's what already on the way.

The 1in 8 twist will be fine. My 1 in 9 264’s will stabilize the Berger VLD’s just fine. I haven’t tried the copper 140’s in them.

Hammer bullets recommends a 1 in 7 for their heaviest 6.5 Mono VLD's but they are conservative and have terminal performance in mind as well as target stability. Some of the 155 Target VLDs's will do better with the 7.5 twist. The only down side is maybe some light thin jacketed bullets won't work out.

Well, I was 1) too late to change my order from the 1 in 8" twist I'd ordered (I was expecting a 8-10 week wait but they pulled my blank in 10 days) . 2) There was a typo on their website and they don't even have a 5R 7.5" button anyway, rather only a 7.0" button , which might well be overkill. The expected 3100-3300+ fps of ~140 gr projectiles from a 1 in 8" twist 28" 264 Win Mag barrel should be sufficient to stabilize them. Maybe enough for the occasional 150 gr. Sierra MatchKing... I don't feel bad about getting the 1 in 8" since I'll primarily use the lighter monometal projectiles anyway.
I appreciate the feedback.
Mark

I used the 120 grain TTSX in my .264 Win Mag this year....it has the standard 1-9" twist and it shoots fine and four mule deer can now (not) testify as to it's effectiveness. If you go with 1-8" you will be fine with longer bullets, but you'll find that there is little reason to use the heavier bullets when you use monometals....I wouldn't hesitate to use the same 120 TTSX bullets on elk.

My PRC was an 8 twist and it shot the 150 SMK's at a hair over 3000 just fine to 1850+.

Yep, been working with a 6.5 PRC and 150 SMK's, 8 twist has been working well out to 850. 3050 FPS.

There aren't many ranges around where I live that have a place to shoot far enough to even test a .400 BC bullet to it's limits. Where are you guys doing this testing?

Now I see why you feel you should judge other hunters who have the skills to shoot long range...Laffin at you! 😎

What's a range?

This is 3 miles from the front door:

When I lived in Wyoming we had a 600 yard range and I had zero problem hitting the steel with 150 grain Sierra boat tails. 165 grain Ballistic Tips were a small amount better in the wind but both bullets performed well. This out of a 30-06. We also used 270's and 7MM RMs with both factory loads and reloads, once we figured the wind and drop the standard flat based bullets did just as well as the others. I still say anyone that embarks on shooting at game animals farther than 450 yards is asking for a wounded animal due to reduced bullet performance/energy and the fact that wind deflection is hard to judge/guess over sage brush and in hilly/mountainous country. I know this because I have recovered many animals that did not drop on the spot and already had a 500 plus yard head start. But if you don't care about such things fire away.

Well then at what range does a .400 BC bullet stop being useful? And maybe you so called shooters should up your hunting game.

I have only killed elk out to 1102 yds with 8 twist so take it for what is worth.



Others in this thread have opinions.

JB very impressive. What is on the tripod? Looks like a range finder and a scope combo? More details? Bullet of choice and load?

842 yards 180g TSX...Wby 30-378. One DRT.



The 180g TSX recovered bullet, opposite side, under the hide.



532 yards 180g NAB 300 RUM...One DRT. Complete pass thru. Bullet was not recovered.



588 yards 180g NAB 300 RUM...One and done. Complete pass thru. No recovery.



Don’t judge others based on your experiences...I am a hunter...I likely shoot a lot more than you. Does that make me more ethical than you when making longer shots than you feel capable of making with one shot? Me thinks, probably... 😎