Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters ? for JB and GregR on twist rate for 338 Federal

Gents,

Having a custom 338 Federal built by our friends at Hill Country Rifle and am curious as to what you think is the best twist rate to shoot bullets in the 180 gr to 200 gr range?

Would probably do the bulk of my hunting with the 200 gr Fusion load.
Thanks for the help,

Tim

I'm one of the other JB's on this site but I know I'm not the one you're asking.
But to answer your question, back in 2000 I sent my 308 to Richard Nickel to be rebored into a 338-08 (basically todays 338 Federal).
Back then Richard was considered one of the best rebores in the business and came highly recommended. I asked him what twist I should get for this rifle shooting 185 to 210 gr. bullets. He recommended a 1/10 twist. I got the gun back and it shoots great. With my 200gr. Nosler BT it'll do 3 shot MOA more often than not. Not bad for a Model 88 lever action.
I don't know what the new versions of the 338 Federal come in, but I'm very happy with the 1/10 in my barrel.
This is what it did last Thurday. My flier was my last shot that ended up low in the X ring.

Tim,

Ask Matt B at Hill Country, but I am 99% certain I ordered it with a 1-in-10" twist. I'm at a conference in Virginia so will be slow to respond, but I'll have my assistant pull the build sheet if Matt doesn't remember.

Thanks Greg.

Tim,

Sorry not to get back to you sooner. I just measured the twist on my Kimber .338 Federal and it's 1-10. Since it shoots even the VERY long 225-grain Nosler AccuBond pretty well, it would do for any lighter bullet. In fact, mine also shoots the 160 TTSX really well, along with the 200 Hornady Spire Point, 210 Nosler Partition and 200 Fusion factory load.

Thanks JB, looks like the verdict is a 1-10.

Now all I have to do is wait 12-14 weeks for Pac-Nor and 20 weeks for Macmillan.....

Cheers,

Tim