I am having a new rifle built and need advise on rate of twist of barrel. The rifle is going to be chambered in 6.5x55. Shilen lists a recomended rate of twist of 1:9" for bullets up to 130gr and 1:8" for bullets over 130gr. I will be shooting the 139-140gr bullets in this gun. Is the shilen recomendation reliable?

Thanks

kbebout

I went with 1:7.5" for our custom BLR rebarreled to 6.5mm Swede. It will stabilize those long 160 grain Hornady's quite well.
TR

Also, what brand barrel would you recomend? Pac Nor? Douglas? Shilen? etc.

Thanks,

Kevin

PM Harry Snippe, He can give you all the info you need! Great guy. JP

A little additional food for thought:

My milsurp Swedes have 1:7.5" twists - have a decided preference for bullets in the 120 - 130 gr weights.

My 6.5-06 has 1:8.5" twist (a Shilen bbl, BTW) and wants only 120 gr bullets, especially Sierra 120 gr. Pro-Hunter flat based sptizers, to really perform.

I wouldn't go slower than an 8 twist for a Swede (having a long-range rig built on a Rem action myself right now: 1 in 8", 30" Pac-Nor) The fast twist will still work with the light 120gr bullets, while the 140 match bullets will work as well.

Eric