opinions on a new ultralight arms build

lazzeroni-fan

December 07, 2013 18:13

i am having a new ultralight arms rifle built in a 6.5x284 norma and am looking at a second rifle build. i want a short range thumper and i have decided on a 450 marlin and was curious if anybody had any tips/ideas on rate of twist and barrel length. as of now i am thinking 1-14 twist and a 18 or 20 inch barrel. i plan to use the hornady lever evolution 325 gr ammo. any ideas/opinions appreciated. thanks

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  Hawk Carse

  December 07, 2013 18:30

  Sounds like a lot of twist.
  Marlin thinks 20" is enough, most .45-70s are 18" for400-500 grain bullets.
  The .458 Win Mag uses 14" twist but they want to stabilize a 510 gr steel jacket through an elephant's head.

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  lazzeroni-fan

  December 08, 2013 06:18

  i currently have a steyr big bore 450 marlin and like it pretty well, but am selling to a friend to help fund the new ultralight build. it has a 1-14 twist and is extremely accurate with the lever evolution ammo. thats why i think the 1-14 may be the way to go, but it has a 23 inch barrel. i am thinking i would like to get a shorter barrel...A for weight reduction, and B for compact maneuverability while tromping through the woods chasing bear dogs. so by dropping to a 18 or 20 inch barrel should i consider the 1-20 twist? or roll with the 1-14?

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  Hawk Carse

  December 08, 2013 07:22

  You have shot a 14" twist, stay with what you have confidence in.

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  nononsense

  December 08, 2013 08:06

  lazzeroni-fan,
  
  This is the list for button-rifled barrels at Pac-Nor:
  
  458 Rifle (.458")
  
  3 groove 13", 14"
  
  6 groove 8", 22"
  
  8 groove 10", 14", 15", 18", 20", 22", 26"
  
  This as opposed to Shilen's button-rifled offering:
  
  .458- 14" for all bullets
  
  Now, if you work it as a ballistics problem you'll see that the slower 1:22" twist will stabilize that short 325 grain bullet given the velocities attainable. But to assure better performance with the longer and therefore heavier bullets the faster twist rate of 1:14" is pretty much a standard with easy availability.
  
  Personally, if 'short range thumper' is your goal, I'd opt for other cartridges, some that offer up to 1,000 ft.lbs. more than your 450 Marlin yet in a short action.
  
  The 20" barrel will work fine but limit your powder selection.
  
  Best.

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