Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Barrel twist on hunting 308

I'm looking at buying a Remington 5r milspec 308, it seems to come in 11.25 rate of twist. This will be a open field hunting rifle, will this rate of twist be good for 150-175 grain bullets? I'm looking for optimum accuracy from this gun, the best groups I can get out of it. I don't want to buy if it's not really made to shoot these bullets. I hope this makes sense, any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Please help me out, thanks. By the way my son handloads my hunting bullets, thanks

I bought one of the .308 5r Mil Spec Remington's a couple of years ago. I've fired it a good bit, trying a variety of bullets in the 150 -180 grain range, using mostly H4895 powder. My rifle also has the 11 1/4" twist rate. My only complaint with this rifle has been the factory throating and this may not the same on all such rifles. Some bullets that shoot very accurately, particularly the lighter ones, must be seated to an OAL too long for the magazine.

I've lately been shooting the Sierra 180 ProHunter seated to 2.81", just under magazine length of about 2.83" or so. I can't get 1/2" or 5/8" groups every time, but I've seen enough small groups to know this is a very accurate bullet in my rifle. Same for the 168 MK. The Barnes 150 TTSX BT is another good one seated to about maximum magazine length.

Pretty sure MontanaMarine member here has the 11.25tw heavy barrel remington - shoots 208 amax just fine .

I have one. The twist is no problem whatsoever.

That's good to hear, I have another 308 I use in the woods, micro hunter, we usually load 150s and 168 grain bullets and I'm hoping it will shoot these as well.

What is giving you the idea it wouldn't?

I don't know alot about this stuff, just trying to make sure I'm not buying a rifle that will not shoot hunting ammo. I know some twist are better for lighter varmint type rounds. I'm an older guy and looking for wisdom from you knowledgeable folks. I appreciate all the info, my son built him a rifle and I don't know enough to do that. I have been watching this forum hoping to find a I guess you would say, partially custom heavy barrel 308 hunting rig that's already a proven shooter but hadn't had any luck. I guess I'm too impatient, lol

You mentioned open field hunting. For deer? What's the length of the anticipated long shot?

No more than 250-300 yards, my eyes are not as good as they were and I'm not gonna shoot over that. I have a Sako 75 7mag that I have been using for probably 15 years. In Mississippi theres really no need for magnum guns on a whitetail so we are going away from reloading the 7mag. The 308 is plenty gun

Deer inside 300 yards or so, of course the 308 is plenty. I use several 308's for that very thing and I don't even handload them to full throttle most of the time.

That said, have you considered a 6.5 Creedmoor? Plenty of horsepower, less recoil and usually quite accurate. I've been playing with a new 5R Milspec in 6.5 Creedmoor and it's shooting exceptionally well.

I really haven't, every few years it seems like there is a new caliber that the gun manufacturers push on us and I try to not get caught up in the hype. I know alot of people that shoot it though.

It has been around since 2007 and it's firmly established well beyond the hype stage.

Yea, I was raised in the bigger the bullet the better era, lol.

I've loaded 200 grain accubonds in my 1:12 twists 308 and they were suprising accurate and a non issue. I'm thinking you'll be more than fine with a 11.25 twist and 180s.

My 11.25 twist Rem 700 tactical won't shoot 200+ grain bullets for sheet! Stick with a 1:10

Just because you consider yourself old doesn't mean you can't learn new tricks.

6.5 might be worth looking at for all the reason mentioned by mathman......and more.....

The last time I was at the range with my 5R in 6.5 Creedmoor I shot some inexpensive Federal hunting ammunition.

https://www.federalpremium.com/rifle/non-typical/non-typical/11-65CDT1.html

It performed very well, 1/2 moa at 300 yards when the wind would let up.

I have some accurate 308's, including a 5R, but this 6.5 Creedmoor looks like it'll shade all of them.

earney my feeling exactly when existing cartridges can duplicate the nkotb ballistics. anywho off the soapbox and not taking anything away from the 6.5 cm. but, if you don't wanna follow the herd but still are intrigued by the 6.5 ballistics and on game performance try a 260 rem or the ole man 6.5x55 swede and be unique in deer camp. another option would be a 7mm-08 rem as both the 7mm-08 rem and 260 rem directly compete against the cm market share. i'd personally suggest a tikka t3x in either cal or even a 308 win in a tikka unless you are set on a rem m700.
good luck with your choice fellow mississippian,
Big Ed

You're either missing or deliberately ignoring the fact that the reason for the Creedmoor wasn't just duplicating the old man on the block ballistics.