.300 Win Mag questions

[memilanuk]

So... running an 'experiment' of sorts. Decided on the cartridge - .300 Winchester Magnum. Planning on running 200+ grain long range bullets fast and hot. I need a bit of advice on what twist rate I should get for running things like Berger 210 LR BT, Hornady 208 A-Max, 208 BTHP, 225 BTHP, etc. Do I need a 9 twist, or would a 10 twist cover it?

Next up is the whole belted magnum bit... this'll be the first time for me messing with such critters. Are the specialty dies like the Innovative Technology collet die really necessary up front, or something best purchased after the fact on an as-needed basis?

What would you consider the maximum useful barrel length? I've seen a lot of factory hunting rigs w/ 24" barrels on magnums, which seems like a waste to me. I was thinking a minimum of 28", possibly as much as 32 or 34" but since I'm not planning on using a barrel block that might be a bit much to hang off the receiver...

TIA,

Monte

 

[Minesweeper3433]

I am running a 1/11 twist krieger finished at 28" right now on my 300. Next barrel going on it is going to be a palma light at 32 without break. My 11 twist stabalizes everything I have put through it up to 220 grain round nose bullets. As far as having to have a barrel block for those barrels I have never had one and dont intend to start.

 

[40X Guy]

A 10 twist barrel will stabilize all the bullets you listed, and go with at least a 28 inch barrel. A Redding die set with FL bushing die will also work well for you. I have enjoyed 2 .300 Win Mags recently, but i made the move up to a custom .300 RUM set up for 208 A-Max. The .300 Win Mag is capable of very good accuracy. Also go with the Nosler brass, pricy but worked very well in my factory sendero .300. It is thicker in the neck, so you may have to neck turn. RL-22 is the go to powder with this cartridge and ignite your charge with Fed. GMM 215 primers.

Frank

 

[cmillard]

do not do a 9 twist! i shoot the 240 sierras out of my hart 30" 9" twist and it really likes those bullets at about 2720 fps +-. have taken them all the way up to 2900+ but i think the 9" twist was a little too much. next time i barrel for that i will go with a 10 or 10.5. i am shooting imr 7828ssc and retumbo.

 

[moparman]

I have a 10 twist bartlein heavy palma contour 30" long and have shot 210 vld's berger and 220 smk with no issues. Mine actually groups better with heavier bullets. I recently have been shooting only the 210 vld bergers and have good results with several powders. Running them "fast and hot" probably won't give you the best accuracy as I have found out. Backing down the load/velocity kinda of bummed me out but the results speak for them selves.

 

[memilanuk]

Thanks for the input thus far, folks. Sounds like most people have been pretty happy with the 10" twist even for the 220+ gn pills - which is great news

Now time to get the barrel on order, and start collecting dies, brass, etc. Too bad Lapua doesn't make .300WM brass anymore. Is Nosler the best option? At one point I'd heard it was basically re-branded Federal and a bit thick/soft...

TIA,

Monte

 

[40X Guy]

Nosler may be your best bet, it worked well in my .300 WM and will save you time and work as far as prepping/sorting brass, the only thing i did to the Nosler brass was uniform the primer pockets and load them. 2nd choice would be Winchester brass.

Frank

 

[mattdienes]

I have a friend who has RWS BRASS for 300 win let me know and I'll send you his #. And yes a 10 tw barrel will even stabilize 240 smk.

 

[people]

I shoot a 300WM with a 220gr bullet. I have a 1:10 twist and I am very happy. I am shooting a Lilja 3 groove barrel. I get about 3,000fps with it. A little more when hot and a little less when cool I am also using HBN on my bullets.