Originally Posted by
charlie b
Savage Axis, 22" factory heavy barrel, 1:9 twist, 77gn Sierra Match King's, 1000yds less than 2MOA. 600yds MOA. 200yds 1/2MOA.
So, yes, the 1:9 will stabilize the 77gn SMK's and Tipped Match Kings as long as you push them along well. I use 23.5gn of Varget which pushes them at 2800fps (Lapua brass).
There are a few of us on the Savage forum who have used the 77gn bullets and had good luck with them. One has a model 12 (also 1:9) and gets down in the .3's. But, all barrels are different and some may not like heavier bullets. Yes, we are aware that Sierra prints on the boxes that 1:8 twist is required. Just so happens that sometimes a 1:9 works as well.