308 for F/TR

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Is there any benifit in building a 308 for F/TR.... (14 twist, 30"-32" barrel)?

or

The traditional route 10 twist 24"-26" barrel that will shoot any weight bullet?

I willing to give up versatility for performance.

Thanks
 
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Why the difference in barrel length between the 14 twist and 10 twist. Availability???

1st thing would be to get the longest barrel you can get 30-32 the longer barrels give more velocity with less powder and pressure.
I have a 14 twist 32" barrel and it shoots the 155 great."problem" it only shoots the 155's i have few options with other bullet weights. As Terry has suggest the 12 will cover a wider range of bullets and right now the migration is towards the heavier one. like the 185 BT berger or the 210's.
If you check the BC of the three bullets the 155 is noticeable lower then the 185 and the 210.

I don't have enough time with the 14 twist to be able to tell you whether or not there I am losing out in the equipment race by choosing the 14 twist so we will see what my next barrel's twist rate will be. But I have observed with everything being equal competitor wise the heavier bullets seem to be losing less points then the 155's



Wind deflection is for a 10 mph crosswind at 1000 yards in standard conditions.

155 Scenar (G7 BC = 0.234)
MV = 3000 fps
Wind deflection = 93"

175 SMK (G7 BC = 0.243)
MV = 2823 fps
Wind deflection = 97"

175 VLD (G7 BC = 0.255)
MV = 2823 fps
Wind deflection = 91"

185 Scenar (G7 BC = 0.247)
MV = 2746 fps
Wind deflection = 100"

Berger 185 BT (G7 BC = 0.283)
MV = 2746 fps
Wind deflection = 82"

This bullet requires a 1:12" twist to stabilize, and is easy to find accuracy with since it's a tangent ogive (like the SMK) and not a VLD.

So then the question becomes whether or not you can manage the increased recoil with the heavies. the lighter the bullet the less the recoil. Heavier bullets have more recoil and you will lose accuracy. in the cases of "theatrical loss in accuracy with the 185-210 you may gain it back because they have less wind deflection. (unless the loss of accuracy is do to vertical)

Good Luck
Trevor
 
308 For f/tr

Thanks, Guys...

But for F/TR 155's is the max weight. So for a strickly F/TR use and only using 155's is the 14 twist the best chioce? And for this application what barrel length...32? Thanks
 
i would go with a 1 in 12 twist gives you a wide range of bullets to shoot,i am not sure why trevor says the heavier bullets are not as accured??they seem to work for me.if you go with a 32 inch barrel you better have some good mass to it,the longer the barrel the more whip it will have.remember if you are building an ftr class rifle their is a weight limit that you must keep in mind,this will have alot to do with your barrel lenght and diameter.also remember the rifle must be balanced you dont want to much barrel up front it will be nose heavy and not track well..Darin
 
A couple of things... First, Terry Perkins is one of the best FTR shooters in the world, and certainly in Canada. His advice should be taken above all others.

While 13 and 14 twist barrels are definitly good for Palma (154-156 grains) bullets, it does limit you in the length. a 12 twist will stabilize anything, including 180 and even 208 grain bullets.

10 twists are way overkill on anything 308. More torque equals less accuracy.

I would personally suggest a 30" medium palma profile (to keep your weight in line) and stick with a 12 twist.
 
I'm going to echo Terry. I'd go 1-12" at least. The 155 rule is out for F/Tr, and there's no reason not to shoot a 155 out of a 1-12" or even faster. Just be damn sure your chamber is perfect.
 
Yes - the bullet weight maximum in F-TR changed in 2009. Good advice on the 1x12 - it will do you well. Drop in and talk with the folk at the Bull Meadows range when they have a match day and they can show you some precision & F-TR rigs, etc.

Watch your overall weight - it's 8.25kg (18# 3 oz.) in F-TR class, with everything attached (scope, bipod, etc.).

Bill

Check out www.DCRA.CA for the F-Class rules.
 
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just to stir the pot a bit, 1-12" is proving to be a bit on the line if one is really serious about shooting the 208-210 hornady/bergers close to sea level, or cooler temps. you mihgt want to consider a 1-11" tube, if the really heavies turn your crank. Faster twist barrels can still shoot lighter bullets too.
 
308 Build

Is that correct that F/TR in Canada now has no limit on bullet weight? What about the th UK.

If so I think 185-210 bullets are the way for me to go.
I think I can get past the recoil and the bigger bullets will help compensate for my limited wind reading skills.


Thanks
 
I think I would go with a 12 twist. I shoot a 14 with 155's a bit and like it real well but I think the twelve gives greater versatility.
Regards, Bill.
 
US, Canada, UK, nationaly, and ICFRA have all done away w/ bullet weight for F/Tr competition. Many see the 185-210 range as the way to go, but most seem to lean toward the 185 side of things. Some top shooters have tried hard to make the 210 work and have had some issues, or at least seen diminishing returns. I can say that the 185 definatly workds very well. I havn't tried the 210's enouogh to have a firm opinion yet, but I certainly hvan't ruled them out.
 
Hey Bulldog

I have attempted my response several times on light vs. heavy bullets and can not adequately summaries what I am trying to say. I will attempt to find my source. Suffice to say as we shoot on .5MOA bull's any rifle ammo combination that is better then .5moa is more then capable of competing. As to the 185BT Bulldog knows what he talking about he has had a excellent season this year shooting the 185's, and he is one of the reason several of us are looking to make the leap to the heaiver bullets.


Trevor
 
The owner of that gun got lucky. It is no guarantee that all factory guns shoot that well, and furthermore, the stock is a poor design for prone shooting, and the barrel length is not optimal for F-Class distance velocities.

If I was to suggest a factory rife, I would suggest the Savage F-Class and Palma rifles. These are purpose built for that type of shooting.
 
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You have been very lucky in your post you got responses from the best .308 shooters in
F/TR in Canada. Terry & Matt,Darin & Trevor are fine fine shooters. don,t be listing or reading any other stuff. Take there advise it will take you some time to be able to shoot
like they can, but using there advise it won,t be long and you could be getting close to them. I am sure if you PM them for further info they all would be more than willing to help you,beleive me the are all fine gentlmen.
manitou



manitou
 
Hi
Since we are on this topic I have a question
I have Savage F/TR with 1/12 twist and I was getting some good results with 155 A-max and 168 BTHP from Hornady, most of the loads were in 43.5-45 Gr range and when I talk to other shooters they told me that is not enough powder to reach 900-1000 yard, I have not try to shoot those loads for a longer distance, I don't want to waste m time and bullets if that is a case, should I go for the hotter loads 45 -47 gr or stay with the ones that work for 100 yards, I was reading on the 6mmbr pages that Brad Sauve shoots 175 SMK with only 43 gr of Varget (that is a powder I'm using) with excellent results- any help would be appreciated

Paul.W
 
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