Barrel Twist

Interesting ! Who is your gun maker ? and what does Ron Smith the barrel maker say ? is he in agreement with your Gun Smith ? RJ

Not only Ron Smith advocates left twist rifling, he also champions the gain-twist with the left twist. My gun maker is a precision gun maker who is also a machinist that profiles barrels and manufactures muzzle-brakes. He works closely with Ron Smith because he builds his precision/sporting rifles with the Smith barrels. He's been in the business for over 30 years.
 
This is exactly why Ron Smith is making left and right twist rifling, that the rear stock/cheek rest would torque onto the shooters cheek. It's said that right and left hand shooters mostly pull their shot, resulting in a group either to the left or right of POI. Left twist for right had shooter, right twist for left hand shooters counteracts this issue.

If there was any truth to this, every reputable precision barrel maker would be making mostly left hand twist barrels, and every precision rifle builder , would build their target rifles accordingly. But that doesn't seem to be the case.
 
If there was any truth to this, every reputable precision barrel maker would be making mostly left hand twist barrels, and every precision rifle builder , would build their target rifles accordingly. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

Bartlein sells more precision barrels than any other barrel manufacture. They have left twist barrels, and sell a multitude of gain-twist barrels as well. I think the British started the left twist, therefore, if anyone has a British rifle, maybe check the twist to confirm a left or right twist.................. I think the Lee Enfield or a BSA would be a good start. It's great to get thoughts and opinions this subject.
 
Bartlein sells more precision barrels than any other barrel manufacture. They have left twist barrels, and sell a multitude of gain-twist barrels as well. I think the British started the left twist, therefore, if anyone has a British rifle, maybe check the twist to confirm a left or right twist.................. I think the Lee Enfield or a BSA would be a good start. It's great to get thoughts and opinions this subject.

British engines run backwards; i guess it stuck.
 
In the old days (late 1800's to early 1900's ) offhand target rifles were often made with a left hand twist so that the rifle would torque into the shooters cheek which allegedly made things more consistent. One of the top barrel makers of this era was Harry Pope and he was a big believer of this idea from what I understand.

I'm a lefty and shoot right hand twist rifles so I guess I get the same advantage :).

Chris.

The trouble with that theory is that right hand twist barrels torque to the left. Sir Newton make sure of that when he got that equal and opposite law passed.
 
Bartlein sells more precision barrels than any other barrel manufacture. They have left twist barrels, and sell a multitude of gain-twist barrels as well. I think the British started the left twist, therefore, if anyone has a British rifle, maybe check the twist to confirm a left or right twist.................. I think the Lee Enfield or a BSA would be a good start. It's great to get thoughts and opinions this subject.

I have an old BSA in 270 Win at home, I'll take a photo of it tonight and report back (if I remember)
 
Bartlein sells more precision barrels than any other barrel manufacture. They have left twist barrels, and sell a multitude of gain-twist barrels as well. I think the British started the left twist, therefore, if anyone has a British rifle, maybe check the twist to confirm a left or right twist.................. I think the Lee Enfield or a BSA would be a good start. It's great to get thoughts and opinions this subject.

Yes Bartlein offers some left hand twist barrels but they offer far more right hand twist barrels. Kreiger and most other barrel makers also choose right handed twist as their standard twist.
 
I tried the left twist barrel after being told it will be more accurate for me as I'm a right hand shooter and it would help compensate for a right handed shooters tendency to torque their grip on the rifle. I would also venture a guess and say it was probably from the same guy you are having do your work. It was a Ron Smith bbl as well. The left twist rifle shoots NO DIFFERENTLY than all my right hand twist barrels do. As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing magical about a right handed shooter using a left twist barrel. I regularly shoot to 700 yards plus and have notice zero difference at that distance either. IMO, both twists shoot the same.
I've seen this debate brought up on a few other forums and it can get quite heated. There are people out there who very strongly believe in the left hand twist giving them an advantage. I say if you believe that it will give you an advantage, knock yourself out. Myself, I found zero difference between the two.
 
Not only Ron Smith advocates left twist rifling, he also champions the gain-twist with the left twist. My gun maker is a precision gun maker who is also a machinist that profiles barrels and manufactures muzzle-brakes. He works closely with Ron Smith because he builds his precision/sporting rifles with the Smith barrels. He's been in the business for over 30 years.

By that account I would go with what they SAY ! Both know more then any of us ! RJ
 
I tried the left twist barrel after being told it will be more accurate for me as I'm a right hand shooter and it would help compensate for a right handed shooters tendency to torque their grip on the rifle. I would also venture a guess and say it was probably from the same guy you are having do your work. It was a Ron Smith bbl as well. The left twist rifle shoots NO DIFFERENTLY than all my right hand twist barrels do. As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing magical about a right handed shooter using a left twist barrel. I regularly shoot to 700 yards plus and have notice zero difference at that distance either. IMO, both twists shoot the same.
I've seen this debate brought up on a few other forums and it can get quite heated. There are people out there who very strongly believe in the left hand twist giving them an advantage. I say if you believe that it will give you an advantage, knock yourself out. Myself, I found zero difference between the two.

I don't recall mentioning anything about accuracy, nor was I advised by my gun maker that a left twist would be more accurate. What I understood is, the left twist for a right hand shooter will align the point of impact, hence right had shooters generally pull, having the bullet hit to the right of the intended bulls-eye/POI. The left twist is to counteract this phenomenon.
 
Krieger sells more precision barrels and dominate BR CF matches. Can't say between Bartlein and Krieger which is superior, but most top shooters say that they are equal. Not aware of any FClass, Palma or BR top competitors using LH or gain twist, although there may be a minimum.

Best regards,

Peter
 
Last edited:
Krieger sells more precision barrels and are used to place and win more BR matches than all others put together. Can't say between Bartlein and Krieger which is superior, but most top shooters say that they are equal. Not aware of any FClass, Palma or BR top competitors using LH or gain twist, although there may be a minimum.

Best regards,

Peter

I didn't look into it to much, Peter, after talking my gun maker I took his work for it. Re-barreling a rifle can be expensive, stainless steel barrel alone is $500, then there is the profiling, chambering, reamer, bedding and hot bluing. For a standard cartridge I would of ordered the conventional right twist, however it's a .30 cal magnum (super-thirty) which may help if I'm pulling.............what the hell, life is short, try something different.
 
Used to hear about left handed cigarettes around now and then but they are legal now so nobody talks about them anymore
 
Back
Top Bottom