Viper
This is a question on the same plain as "how long is a string".
When achieveing the accuracy that is demanded to be competitive in 100-200 yard Benchrest, the entire "combination" has to work together. That includes everything from the scope sitting atop the Rifle, to the bags and rest that the Rifle is sitting in.
As to your specific question. In Benchrest, everything takes a back seat to the combinations agging capability. Velocity is really a non factor. A load combination that will produce sub .200 aggs at 3200 is certainly superrior to one that produces .300 aggs at 3450. And Vica-versa. The reason many of us shoot in the upper load window is that we have found, with our combination, that is where the best aggs lurk. It has little to dowithn the bullets "wind bucking" capabilities.
Many of us have found that barrel length means very little, as far as accuracy is concerned. I have a Unlimited barrel thatis now cut clear back to 18.5 inches that shoots quite well. I also have them at 22.5 that shoot the same. That old magic "21 3/4" comes out of the Houston Warehouse shoots. But then, there were a bunch of bold statements proclaimed out of that exercise that are do not pan out in the real world. My favorite was, "Powder selection and weight didn't seem to make a difference".
As for bullet length in a given twist, it is a given that if a bullet never stabilizes, it darned sure isn't going into the group. So you do need enough twist to stabilize what ever length bullet you are shooting. The general consensus has always been that the most accurate twist will be the one that just stabilizes the bullet, and no more. Winning aggs are shot with twist from13.5 to 15, using the conventional 65-68 grn Benchrest Bullets built on .825 jackets.........jackie
