[Darkker]

So slumming around I notice that the Savage 10FP and Remy VTR both claim Tactical in description.
What I don't understand is the twists.
.223 = Both guns are the 1-9
But in the .308 the Savage is 1-10, where the Remy is 1-12.

Given the 1-9 Twist in .223, they want you to be able to take advantage of an extremely wide range of bullets. However the 1-12 Twist in .308 assures that at most, you have to stomp on the 175's to keep stabilization.
Why the apparent gearing towards lighter(or not full range) bullets in 308?

 

[lumberjak]

Why the apparent gearing towards lighter(or not full range) bullets in 308?

For the tactical purist, a 12 twist is thought by many to be ideal for the 168gr bullet. Keep in mind that many police agencies that might use these rifles shoot factory ammo and do not know or care about bullet weights, they just want to sling the "tactical ammo" accurately. You can also find 11 and 11.25 twist barrels in the tactical class.

 

[MZ5]

As I recall, Darkker, you get over 2700 fps out of the 175 SMKs in one of your guns, don't you? I believe that a 12-twist will stabilize that bullet adequately at that speed? Recent preliminary testing in my 308 (22" sporter) only gave me 2530 ~ 2620 from the 178 A-MAX, using the former M118LR powder & charge.

Anyway, my point is that if you can get the kind of speed you see with that weight of bullet in a 308, then I don't see a decent reason to twist harder than 12? I realize that not everyone will agree, but I personally see nothing to be gained by going heavier than a 175 SMK from a 308. I even see something to be lost. Myself, I see the 155 - 168 weight range to be 'best' for the 308 in the hands of production-rifle shooters like me.

I also envision lumberjack's comment about people wanting to shoot the "tactical ammo" (as in-- factory ammo) accurately to be right on the mark. My personal guess is that most of at least Remington's customers don't think about this kind of thing. They're either shooting what their department gave them, possibly at ranges that a 155 would serve them better anyway, or else they just want to be part of the "in" crowd and look cool in their own minds.

YMMV

 

[Tang]

Believe it or not, I've altered my pursuit of a SRH or a .243, to find me a nice heavy barrel .308. But a 20" tube is all I want.

 

[Darkker]

To answer the Q, yes I can best 2700 fps in Old Painless.
As sad as it seems to me, I think you are right in the "tactical" being more of a fan boy deal...

MZ, if you want some more speed, sans pressure trouble; look no further than 3 digits from Florida. Old Painless is only a 24" pipe.