doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com A question of twist

Having a custom re-bore barrel put on to a Mauser 98. This barrel will be in 9.3 x 57. I have a choice of twist rates and would like to solicit input from the experts as to the best rate of twist for bullet wts of 200 to 232 Grains in this caliber. I'm thinking 1 turn in 14 for these bullet wts but I am wondering if a a slower rate of twist, say 1 turn in 16 perhaps may be better for these bullet wts? What do the experts say? All input on this question is appreciated and thank you in advance, Jeff

I'm certainly not an expert but will risk an opinion anyway.

I assume you're planning a game rifle rather than a target rifle, and will use full loads or close to that level. IMO a 14" twist will work better for a game rifle with these bullet weights and will also work acceptably well for the heavier bullets. While a 16" twist will possibly/probably be slightly more accurate on paper, especially at lower velocities with the lighter bullets, it's my thought that you'll get better results overall with the tighter twist. The tighter twist will serve to better keep the bullet on path inside the animal and also do slightly more internal damage at the same time due to the buzzsaw effect. The increased rotation speed will also serve to better expand the bullet, possibly further increasing killing power depending upon the animal's size. Just idle thoughts FWIW.

I've never owned a 9.3 but HAVE had the experience of firing my 9.5x57 Mannlicher-Schoenauer with full handloads and 275-gr bullets. It continued to be a memorable experience EVERY time I fired it, mainly because of the steel buttplate and very light weight. I sold it and went to a 9x57 instead.
Regards, Joe

I have a husky model 146 with the FN action. Barrel twist on mine is 1x14" I Haven't tried any of the privi Partisan 286 grain round nosed soft points. Might make a good "piggy" rifle.