I want to rebarrel my Weatherby Vanguard to 30-06 Ackley Improved. MedRiver (thank you) referred me to Ragged Hole Barrels. They have Wilson #4 s/s .308 blanks for $195. w/free ship. They offer 1-8 & 1-10 twist barrels. Looking for recommendations as to which twist you'd choose. Probably be shooting bullets 165 gr. on up & what length would you recommend? I'm leaning toward 25-26" (depending on runout) or maybe 24" with a brake installed. I'm not worried about FPS anymore & would be happy to just have a good shooter that shoots consistent groups. Thank you & have a great day.

If you aren’t going to shoot super heavies (210+) then I would say 1-10. Also, I would recommend 22” for a better handling rifle.

VG LA's are rather trite in COAL. #4 is a pretty heavy contour to boot. Hint.

You'll have a loud/heavy rifle,that can't keep pace with 6.5 Kreed' Factory Fodder. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!...................

A #4 will need wheels on a cart to carry it a round, & it will never be a 6.5 Kreed.

But as for twist, especially in 30 caliber rifles, I've often seen best aaccuracy at a twist level that just stabilizes a given bullet.

I've had 30 caliber barrels with a 12" twist shoot 200 grain bullets from a 300 Mag very, very well.

A 10" twist in an '06 is just fine; end of discussion. But a 12'' will work fine too; I would not do an 8" at all.

MM

#4 contour will be extremely heavy in 30cal. I’d want no heavier than a 2 contour and prefer the #1 for any 30 and under bores. Definitely no faster than 10 twist for it. Mine has an 11 twist and like my 300mag rifles it handles the 200gr bullets just fine.

I've have and have had several Ackleys including the 30-06 AI, and my opinion is that Ackleys really shine when it comes to brass life and launching heavy bullets in front of slow-burning powder. Specifically, in your case unless you'll be exclusively shooting bullets over 200-grains, I would stick with the 10-twist and as I don't think you're buying 30-06 for potential handling qualities, I would recommend a 24-inch barrel to take full advantage of those characteristics you seek in the Ackley version.

Nimblehunter, I am going to throw this in. I urge you to consider a std 280 Remington, run 180 ELDM. Dies and brass are available. Ballistics are a game changer on this combo with only a little powder being used. Some things in life, you just have to see for yourself, real world. In the Std 280, I also shoot the 162's at 2900 with IMR 7828 and Fed 210's. Reloading manuals really dumb down the 280 due to pump and semi autos on the market.

https://raggedholebarrels.net/colle...ber-barrel-blank-1-8-twist-2-ultra-light

I have 4 Wilson barrels at this time, and am pleasantly surprised at their quality in bore scope pictures and uniform bore dia from end to end, measured with long grizzley rod and reamer pilots.

When the wind gets up, the 280 with the 180's just shoot circles around even 300 WSM, must less a 308 anything.

Treat yourself to a 280, you will never be without one again, and the .796 BC of the 180g Hornady ELD match shows out!

ON a small case, Like Stick said, the 6.5 creed with a 147g Hornady eldm is a beautiful thing where mag constraints are a consideration.

Concerning the twist rate consideration on the 308, like others have said, the 10T will handle up to 200g in most bullets, but throat length is a consideration for the heavies.

Your post had no indication what your current Wby Vanguard is chambered for. Assume std long action .473”. You give no indication of game animals you intend to hunt or consideration of terrain, distances, etc. The 30-06 Ackley gives at best about 50-80 fps increase in all bullet weights over the std 30-06. In my opinion, it’s not worth the effort. If elk size game is on the menu an 06 is more than capable, but if more is desired I’d just go to a 338-06 A-Square. It has a decided advantage shooting 200 gr and up class .33 bullets using a 1-10 twist.

If it’s deer and you want a 06 case based chamber you have the .25, .26, .27 and .28 calibers to choose from in 25-06, 6.5-06, 270 WCF and 280 Rem as well as the 30-06. Fast twist is a consideration in a new barrel. A 1-8 on a .30 cal would be required if shooting a 225, 230 and 250 grain with BC of .700 to .825+. That would require a big .30 caliber magnum to produce needed velocities to take advantage of those weights in a .30 cal. A 1-10 twist easily stabilizes a .30 caliber 210 grain bullet.

If you’re toting a rifle around all day in the field a std sporter weight with finished contour of .590”- .620” is all I’d have. The .620” has enough beef to chamber up to a .338 caliber. Anything heavier is a handicap for the walking hunter.

I have a wilson #4 24in. Chambered in 300 win mag. The barrel is fluted keep in mind but it's not that heavy at all. I have not weighed it for exact weight but it's comfortable.