i've seen a shop that's offered a .260 rem encore bbl in both 1:8 and 1:9 twist rates and wondered why the difference. i checked on remington's website and they use 1:9 for the .260 in the models 7 and 700. and on ruger's website (the only factory chambering the 6.5x55 swedish mauser) they use the 1:8 twist for the model 77. and i was wondering why the difference in twist for 2 very similar cartridges? is one better for heavier bullets than the other? what do you guys with the various 6.5's have as far as twist in .260 or 6.5x55, etc (encores, xp 100's, strikers...whatever)? thanks!

If you even think you would like to use the 140 class VLD (very low drag) bullets, then go with the 1-8 twist. It will also work with the lighter bullets.

If you intend to use predominantly longer bullets, choose the the faster twist rate. Here's a web site that helps to determine TR based on bullet length. http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/calculat...lculations.html

actually i would probably use 140's most of the time...maybe 120's occasionally esp. the barnes. cossack, the website you listed didn't come up...is it correct? thanks for posting it.

FWIW a true 1-9 twist will stabilize the 140 AMax.

Steve's 6.5-284 has a 9T Shilen and he shoots the 140 AMax just fine.

bisleyfan try this one
http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/calculations/calculations.html

I shoot a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. If I remember right the original Swiss military rifles had a 1 in 7.5" twist. The bullets were 160 grain and were stabilized at this rate. My TC Custom shop barrel is 1 in 8 and shoots 140 gr bullets very well, I've not tried the 160s, but I am soon. I would think the 1 in 9 twist is more suited to the 260 Rem as the standard bullet weight is 120 gr. If the cartridge is the 6.5x55 Swede, then choose the faster twist to maximize its ability to shoot heavy for caliber bullets extremely well.

Hope my opinion helps.

thanks chris. i was hoping to hear from you as i remember that you had the 6.5 swede and seemed to really like it alot. and the 6.5 swede is the cartridge i was considering. i used to have an old sporterized carl gustav mdl 38 rifle...this was the short barreled one. and it shot like nothing i've seen before or since and loved the 140 grain loadings by any maker...it wasn't picky at all. unfortunately, in a moment of brain fade i sold it and is the one gun that i want back of all the ones i've sold over the years. oh well, live and learn. anyway, thanks again...that's a big help.

Hey bisley, let me know if you get the Swede, maybe we can swap loads. This is a great cartridge that is mostly overlooked and underloved. Show it some TLC and it won't let you down.

Just curious, are you looking at a MGM barrel? I saw on their website they had one.

Try this then.

http://www.shortmags.org/shortmags/ref_data/TwistRateCalc.asp

that site worked...thanks cossack!

chris, i was looking at their website but all i saw were the 260's and a 6.5 wsm barrel listed. i didn't see one for the swede...at least in their inventory. i know they would make one, though. i'm going to get one, i just don't know from who. probably fox ridge...good quality and price.

I looked at MGM maybe a month ago and I remember seeing one, but I may be mistaken.
I bought my Fox Ridge barrel from Ed's Contenders . The price was right and the barrel has been great.

yeah i remember a while ago IKE posted on here that ed's contenders had gotten a few of them and sold 'em for 210 or so. i missed that boat, too.