Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Why the 11-1/2 twist in the Stevens 7mm-08 ?

Well Guys, if I was going to build a 7-08 it would be with a 1-10 twist for 140 grain bullets. Had some very good groups with 154 & 160 grain bullets in a 9.5 twist, but have found that it was more difficult to get 140s to shoot well in a 1-9 or 9.25. 120's were fine, but prefer the 140s. As an aside my old Wby MV in 7MM Wby had a 1-10 twist and would shoot 160 & 175 Partitions under an inch with boring regularity. Perhaps Savage are on to something, time will tell.

Berger listed the 140g Match/hunting VLD as follows:

7 MM
7mm 140 Grain Match Hunting VLD 0.284 140 0.510 0.261 11

The last number on the list is the required twist rate

Years ago, I shot a Hart barrel in a 1-12 twist in 7/08, stomped on the gas hard and got benchrest accuracy out 140g Nosler Ballistic tips, a #5 taper, 24" long. Velocity in that barrel was right at 3000 fps, not bad for a 7/08.

Wind drift at the 550 yard ram was much less than the load I was shooting in the 308, seemed like half.

Oops ... been away. If you can find a pdf online (I cant remember where I found my copy) of the Savage bolt action owners manual, its right about the last page. Otherwise, PM me your email address and I'll email it to you.

For what its worth ... the silly 1:11.5" twist cost them another 7mm/08 sale yesterday ... mate of mine grabbed a 308Win instead. I love it when the R&D guys outsmart the buying public.
Cheers...
Con