I have a Model 70 classic stainless in 325 WSM sitting in a Bridges McMillan I picked up and am getting ready to call PacNor for a barrel.

Rifle weight is 6lb 11oz stock with Dead Nutz mounts BTW.

Going to set this one up to shoot heavies, specifically the 180ELDM. Have 200 on hand, along with 180 Bergers and 175 Partitions, along with a pile of brass.

I have other 7mms from 7X57 up to and including 7mm Rem Mag in the safe which shoot 140s - 160s well, so not looking to replicate.

This may just be a rifle I shoot paper with, or it may go afield, not sure yet.

Hornady suggests a 7.5 twist.

Any reason not to go with an 8 twist for the bullets listed?

An 8 twist is about perfect.

I just started a similar project - my Kimber 8400 325 WSM is getting a Lilja 1:8 chambered in 7mm SAUM with the plan to shoot 180 Scenars. My gunsmith concurred on the 1:8 as ideal for that application.

Tag,
interesting

How about 8.5 twist? Seems Ruger has adopted this now. Wonder if it will stabilize the 180 gr ELDX?

Factory twists often rely on tradition and not common sense.

Although 8.5 isn't terrible.

I don’t know what’s available in 7mm ROT from different manufacturers and recognize Jordan’s experience here so not being a smart a$$ at all but didn’t you answer your own question here?

Or maybe a better way to say it would be to ask whether there is a down side to going with a faster than necessary twist?

For reference, I built a 7x300 WM on an 8.5" twist Bartlein, and ran 195 EOL Bergers to 2K in it just fine.

A 7.5 twist wouldn’t hurt anything, but an 8” twist achieves super stability (SG of 1.5, which maximizes the BC value) with the 190 ATip and 180 ELD from the 7WSM at sea level and -40 F weather.

Jordan, what effect, if any, would the 8 twist have on the Scenar and ELDM?

When discussing twist rates for the 7mm SAUM/180 Scenar with my gunsmith, 1:7,8 and 9 were my choices from Lilja. When I mentioned to him I didn't think I wanted to go slower than 8, he responded he wouldn't personally choose 7. So 1:8 it is...

It’d shoot just fine, and would achieve super stability. I shoot the 180 ELD-M at 2950 fps from 8” twist barrels with no problem.

Thanks all.

In the absence of any reasons not to use the 8 twist, that is the plan.

You'll love the 8 twist. My Mashburns have been 8's and there isn't anything they haven't shot well to be honest. From 120 TTSX's to 195 Bergers. Throating them right is the trick with the 7 WSM, but man, when my 9.5 is worn on my WSM, it'll get an 8 as well.

A dirty "secret" is 9" will do it. Hint.

I just "happen" to have (3) 7 Whizzum's on Montucky's and "probably" shoot it in 700 too and have had 70's chambered same. Hint.

On a schitty fhuqking Winchester build,I'd go 8".

Hint.............................

No issue with the eld or Scenar from my old 7 wsm and it’s 1:8 twist bartlein

PacNor, Krieger, or Lilja?

I ran 1:9 and it did fine with 180s.

I'd grab whatever Greg has on the shelf,which connected the most dots for the project. No point waiting on a spout,when splendid wares are ready to roll and his plate runneth over with 8" RPM blanks. Hint...................

Of those, I’d probably go PN.