Rate of Twist

[Mike K.]

Can anyone tell me what the rate of twist is for a Winchester Model 54 Bolt Action? It is in 250-3000 calibre. I know I can check it with the cleaning rod and patch method but was hoping this route would be quicker.

Thank you.

 

[Superbrad]

Model 54's of all caliber were 1:16 twist...

Nice rifle, very collectable .... Post a pic if you get the chance

 

[Mike K.]

Thank you Superbrad. So is the slower twist better for the heavier bullets or the lighter ones?
Will post picture here asap.

 

[brybenn]

Lighter bullets. I highly doubt you could stabilize anything over 100 grs

 

[Mike K.]

That is what I thought but wasn't sure. Here are couple of pics. of the gun. It also has a Griffin and Howe Side Mount and a vintage Lyman Alaskan 2 1/2 power scope that is still extremely clear. Nice old setup but a little heavy !!

 

[1899]

I am pretty sure that nobody ever made a 1:16 twist 250-3000

I suspect it was the common, for the time, 1:14 twist rate for that chambering. Try 87 gr SP bullets of flat based 100gr bullets - the shorter the bullet length the better.

 

[brybenn]

That scopes looks like it's mounted very far back. Good thing there's very little recoil. Nice looking rig though. Great caliber

 

[Andy]

Can anyone tell me what the rate of twist is for a Winchester Model 54 Bolt Action? It is in 250-3000 calibre. I know I can check it with the cleaning rod and patch method but was hoping this route would be quicker.

Thank you.

It would have been much quicker and better yet, you would have been sure of the twist rate if you had done that. You still can't say for sure.

Once you know it, it's easy to find information on what weights of bullets your particular twist can stabilize. Any 25 cal barrel with a twist rate slower than 1:10 will greatly limit your bullet choices.

 

[Boomer]

Model 54's of all caliber were 1:16 twist...

Nice rifle, very collectable .... Post a pic if you get the chance

I'm pretty sure M-54s in .30/06 and .270 had 1:10 twists even in 1925. A 1:16 twist would have been about right for the .35 Whelen, and was probably the twist chosen for the special order .32 Special, but the rifle was chambered in too broad a range of cartridges for a single rate of twist to fit all.

 

[Mike K.]

That scopes looks like it's mounted very far back. Good thing there's very little recoil. Nice looking rig though. Great caliber

I had to move the scope back to get a full field of view in it. It was either that or knock an inch off the stock.

 

[Mike K.]

It would have been much quicker and better yet, you would have been sure of the twist rate if you had done that. You still can't say for sure.

Once you know it, it's easy to find information on what weights of bullets your particular twist can stabilize. Any 25 cal barrel with a twist rate slower than 1:10 will greatly limit your bullet choices.

Yes, it appears I will have to check it myself to be certain.

 

[Superbrad]

Agreed.... Gun digest was your source.... And painted all with the same brush....