Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

[Cascade Precision]

So, my son is "inheriting" my trusty Winchester Model 70 30-06 that I have had for almost 20 years. Excellent rifle, really excellent.

Now is the time for me to upgrade, and I am torn. I am stepping up to a 300 win mag and really love Savage rifles. I have several, and all are tack drivers.

I want to shoot medium and large game (deer and elk), but have the capacity to shoot at distances of 600-800 yards and have the energy to punch through the vitals of my game. So, 300 win mag is the caliber of choice. I know there are many other options, but research has led me here. Now the tough part.

Model: 111 Long Range Hunter in 300 win mag

Model: 116 Bear Hunter

Am I giving up a lot on the caliber by shooting out of a shorter barrel? I am shaving a pound off the weight, but is that worth the loss in velocity? Or is it better, in this cartridge, to have that extra pound for recoil absorbtion? It comes with muzzle break, so felt recoil should be (marginally) lower. Perhaps in realm of 30-06.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would go into scope and rail options and all that jazz, but lets be real, I am throwing a BSA Sweet 223 on it!

Likely will be a Sightron in the realm of 8-32x56 on Warne Base and Rings (manufactured here in Oregon, I like Oregon).

Again, I guess I am asking if 3" is worth the loss of a pound of weight. Lets face it, it is not a light rifle to begin with.

Thanks (yes, I posted on LRH forums, just want opinions/real world experience on barrel length as I have no way to quantify it)

 

[jrob300]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

I'm going to sound like a broken record to some here, but my 300WM with a 22" barrel is getting 2870 fps out of my mild load from 208 Amax's. I have a load that I could hunt with (cold weather) that is on the warm side and it goes 2925-2950 (in hot weather I only get about 2 firings from the brass). This is in a match barrel. The factory barrels are typically a little slower.

This combo will punch holes in 1/2" steel at 600 yds. and has been accurate to over 2000 yds. I don't see you being undergunned.

John

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

Very bummed. Just found out that the Bear Hunter is a 21" barrel. No longer any advantages to it with that short of a barrel. Might as well just tote my 308 along.

Any other ideas on 300 win mag barrel length?

 

[jrob300]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

Hmmm... site says 23"

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/116BH

Where'd you get 21"? I would be so very surprised if a factory made a 21" WM.

John

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

Model 16/116 Bear Hunter: (Specs. From Dick Scorzafava) 21” bbl. Adjustable muzzle brake, fluted, medium-contour barrel, Mossy Oak Infinity stock, stainless. 325 WSM, 300 WSM, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag.

Savage Shooters Forum

 

[jrob300]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

Interesting. I didn't scale the photo, but I'll bet Savage counts the MB in the barrel length.

I'd still take a 21" 300WM over ANY .308 for elk, any day. You might be a little range limited, but I'm guessing you could get 2850-2900 easy from handloaded 180's over a little faster powder. That should be plenty for elk to 6-700 yds. There really aren't that many people who have any business shooting them any further than that.

There's only one way to know for sure. Interesting product offering. Hats off to Savage.

John

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

I have no business shooting any large animal (at this time) over 600-700 yards. What I dont want to do is limit my capability in a year and have to buy a new gun. I am going to get the Savage Long Range hunter in 300wm. For the foreseeable future of the barrel, it will do everything I need it to do. I can justify shooting that rifle and learning more with more trigger time.

Raise your right hand and swear after me: I promise that if I start to flinch, I will sell this rifle and buy a smaller cartridge so as not to wreck my shooting skills. This I solemnly swear.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ogreshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Raise your right hand and swear after me: I promise that if I start to flinch, I will sell this rifle and buy a smaller cartridge so as not to wreck my shooting skills. This I solemnly swear.

</div></div>

My Tikka, back in the day when it was a lightweight hunting rifle, weighed 6.8 lbs. w/o scope. 8.5 lbs. field ready. It was a little abusive. The first day at the range I think I shot 80 rds. It got a brake very soon thereafter.

That rifle with scope and field ready is going to be in the 10lb. range. With the muzzle brake, it should not be too bad, especially if you limit your ammo to 180 gr. The heavier bullets definitely push back a little harder.

John

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

I am looking at 180 grain for elk, 150-165 grain for deer but push it a bit slower, more in the 2700-2800 fps range so that the bullet has a chance to expand INSIDE the animal, not 8 inches past!

 

[jeepwilson]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

I think you will be happy with that.If it kills on your end put a break on it and only shoot once is the key.My son borrowed my 7mag because he is to tight to buy shells for his.He came in this past year complaining with his ear ringing after making two shots on two different deer.I tell him the smple solution is buy shells for your own gun.He`s had just one shell left for three years!Anyways the reason for the short barrels on bear guns is when you`re following dogs be prepared to go through the roughest terrain you possibly can and around here involves a lot of crawling.

 

[300winman]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

My brother has the same gun you are looking into, And recoil is modest. Him and I both shot elk this year. One at 550 and one at 602 with 168 Balistic Silvertips over 77.8 of rl22. My gun has a 22in barrel on it and they are going 3242fps @ 5200ft. Plenty of knockdown at that range!!

 

[pappy83]

Re: Barrel length ? for new 300 win mag

I had a Savage Tactical in 300wm had the barrel cut down to 20 inch. velocity with 168 barnes tsx bullets was almost 3000fps still faster then a .308 is going to do. I got greedy had it cut down to 16 inch, velocity fell right out of it. Was still accurate but much slower then it was at 20 inch. Same load lost around 250fps. I have special ordered a 300wm from Savage it is pretty much a PC, accustock, accutrigger, DBM, 20 inch PC/predator contour barrel, and oversized bolt knob. The price was right and I could not find a LTR in 300 saum.