Lmt308mws barrels

[.338fedfan]

 I am new here and wanted to start an up to date talk about the different barrels and any load development for the lmt308mws.   LMT advises 130gr. For .260 rem, 168 for .308, and 185 for .338 federal.  LMT is offering a .338 fed 20 inch barrel for only $275.00 so I couldnt resis .  I have been watching this forum for some time, and have seen how you treat greenhorns gently, yet not suffer fools gladly.  I hope to someday enter MY LMT in some rifle matches  and am interested in ranges of 200 to 600 yard ranges ,I think.  Having been a garand man all of my life, till recently, I now believe that the ar 10 is ready to compete against bolt guns and win.

[98Z5V]

What's the twist rate on those barrels they offer?  I ask, because I shoot 147gr in .260 Rem, 178gr in .308 (and I'm playing with 195s), and 225gr in .338 Fed.  All my .308 Win guns are 1:10" twist rate.  The .260 is a 20" Wilson Combat 1:8" twist rate.  The .338 Fed is a 16" Wilson Combat 1:10" twist rate.  Those barrels stabilize my loads excellently. 

[.338fedfan]

Lmt barrel twist rates are .260 20 inch 1:9 5r, 7.62 NATO chrome only 1:10  rh & 1:11.25  5r stainless. My 7.62 is 16 inch cm w/1:10 twist. My 338 fed is a 20 inch stainless w/1:10 5r rifling.  We got this rifle with the idea of actually someday building our own, and we are eager to learn.

 

[98Z5V]

On 11/2/2019 at 1:39 AM, .338fedfan said:

LMT advises 130gr. For .260 rem

168 for .308

185 for .338 federal

 

8 hours ago, .338fedfan said:

Lmt barrel twist rates are .260 20 inch 1:9 5r,

7.62 NATO chrome only 1:10  rh & 1:11.25  5r stainless

My 7.62 is 16 inch cm w/1:10 twist

My 338 fed is a 20 inch stainless w/1:10 5r rifling

 

Your .260 Rem in 1:9 twist might work with 130s, but I think LMT is behind the times on that particular recommendation (130 and 1:9").  I don't think LMT really knows that much about the 6.5mm projectiles, and what they're capable of.  That 1:9" will stabilize a hell of alot heavier load than that, and would do fine with the 147s that I shoot through a 1:10" twist.  It would be really good for the new Hornady 153gr A-Tip projectile, in that 1:9" twist.

On the 7.62, go with the 1:10 over the 1:11.25" twist.  If you want to shoot 600 yards, the 168 is good.  If you want to shoot 800 yards, the 168 give up too much to the 175s.  I'm playing with 195s through a 1:10" twist right now, and they're doing very well.  Skip the 1:11.25 twist completely.

I'm running 225gr projectiles through my 16"-barreled 1:10" .338 Fed gas gun, and it's fine with those - excellent, actually.  That twist will run a 185gr load well. 

 

Edited November 14, 2019 by 98Z5V