300WM barrel length question

[VYD]

Hey guys, might be a dumb question but any of you know at what point the OAL becomes counterproductive in .300 WinMag? I will be trying to get maximum velocity with 190 SMK or 208 A-Max on a man-size target out to 1500 yards, that's about the farthest I will be shooting. I do like long barrels though. This rig is NOT for all day carrying, only long range plinking, so I told the builder that the weight and OAL are not the issues. I will, however, have a muzzle brake which will add another 3" or so. So, what is the longest barrel one can have in this chambering without getting to the point of deminishing returns? I was thinking 27" but I also hear some guys are running 28-30" barrels on their 300WM rigs!
Thanks.

 

[Rob01]

Re: 300WM barrel length question

24-26" would work with the heavy bullets and slow powder. I lke mine at 26".

 

[300sniper]

Re: 300WM barrel length question

personally, when i rebarrel my 300wm, i'm going with a 30-32" barrel. it will be a dedicated beyond 1000 yard rifle. i won't be hiking far or moving around much with it.

if i were planning on moving around with it, i think i'd stick to a 26-28" barrel.


edit: what brake are you going to use that adds 3" to the length?

 

[snipedogg]

Re: 300WM barrel length question

For what your going to do with it, I agree with 300Sniper, Go as long as you want to. I'd probably go with a 29" or 30" since your break adds that extra 3". This will keep you at 32-33" OAL of barrel.

 

[jrob300]

Re: 300WM barrel length question

It depends on what powder you choose. I'm running H1000 behind 208 Amax's and my Winchester load is running 2900 fps. That's about 75 fps slower than Rob01. My barrel is 22" and his, IIRC, is 26". I've had no problem hitting at a mile and cold bore hits at 1500 yds. are not uncommon. In this case, other than slightly improved wind, barrel length is not a factor. But if it's a dedicated range gun, there's really no reason to not go longer.

Joe Starnes 300WM on QL with a very similar load, shows 100% of powder burned by 24".

So, with this particular powder 24-26" would give you the most benefit. If you were to go to Retumbo, RL25 or other slower powders, you may benefit from the longer barrel length, but may not be able to get enough powder in the case to equal H1000/RL22 performance.

John

 

[Sandbogg]

Re: 300WM barrel length question

I replaced my 26 inch barrel on my Savage with a 30" pac nor and gained 100 fps velocity. With 190 smks this was a huge gain ballistic wise. If I were to do it again I would absolutely do a 30".

It did throw the balance off and I had to add weight to the buttstock but it was worth it!!

If you are going to hunt or carry it alot than a high quality 26" tube would be a good compromise. 300 win mag is a great ELR choice.

Good shooting and let us know what you choose!!

 

[chain]

Re: 300WM barrel length question

I have a re-barrel job in the works on my 3000 win. I hunt with it so I decided on 26".

 

[VYD]

Re: 300WM barrel length question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 300sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">personally, when i rebarrel my 300wm, i'm going with a 30-32" barrel. it will be a dedicated beyond 1000 yard rifle. i won't be hiking far or moving around much with it.
if i were planning on moving around with it, i think i'd stick to a 26-28" barrel.

edit: what brake are you going to use that adds 3" to the length? </div></div>


No, no moving around. Just a bench and prone stationary shooting.

Not sure what brake, but it's a tri-port and there are few to choose from, I will check with the builder on that.

Thank you all! I know I will not go any shorter than 27" that's for sure...

 

[desertHK]

Re: 300WM barrel length question

26" is what I have. Anything longer is a bit cumbersome to maneuver around, unless you just do BR.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: 300WM barrel length question

I put a 29 in barrel on my Model 70 300 WM. Its a HP 1000 yards rifle so no "run-dodge-and-jump". There are two matches I shoot it in, both 1000 yards, Any rifle-any sight and Any rifle-Iron Sights. I like the longer sight radius the 29 inch gives me for the Iron Sight Stage.