[hiredhand]

There is a fairly specific relationship between bullet weight, diameter, rifle twist rate, and it's ability to stabilize. You're correct about this. I've got a rifle now (a Rem M-700 .243) that can NOT stabilize bullets any heavier than 95gr! Actually, it's not that it can't, but the velocity which is required to cause stabilization can't be safely achieved! It would probably stress the rifle and create unsafe pressure conditions.

You're also correct about 5.56mm rounds tumbling because of striking something prior to their intended target! This WILL and DOES happen! The .243 would do this too if I used FMJs, but I use mostly 85gr HP/BTs and they fairly disintegrate if I strike something prior to the target. I like this because it's fairly flat where we hunt, and therefore somewhat safer.

As I remember, Eugene Stoner warned the U.S. Army Ordinance Dept. about changes that they made to "his" rifle (the "AR"). Among these were deminsional changes made to the throat of the chamber, resulting in excessive freebore, which with semi-autos is largely responsible for tumbling projectiles at a distance. :-)

[yarddog]

I always wondered if one of the reasons the Swedish Mausers are so accurate is because they gave them a fast twist to stabilyze those original 160 grain bullets.

Probably something to do with the quality of the barrels, etc. too.

The twist was slightly faster than one turn in 8 inches.

BTW, I would say maybe 90% of Swedish Mausers were made by Carl Gustav and most of the rest by Husquarna. One of my first ones had the Mauser banner and was made by them. No better made than the others but still I have never seen another one made by Mauser.