300 WSM barrel length recommendations

[Fish30114]

Hello folks, I am beginning a project to re-barrel a couple of rifles I have in 300 WSM and I would like to get input on the best barrel length for this caliber, and reasons for your recokmendation. I am planning on using a Krieger barrel for these.

Any advice/input is appreciated.

After reading XTR's post I will add that this is for a hunting rig.

 

[XTR]

"Best" depends greatly on application.

If you are trying to wring the last 5 FPS out of it for F class, then probably about 32"; if you are looking for something for hunting, then probably about 26" is going to get max velocity and still approach practical for carrying.

 

[Fish30114]

XTR, I appreciate your input--I guess I should have stated that I am going to be building a hunting use rig. I was actually thinking if 25 or 26 inches was enough to maximize this cartridges power. Also what contour would you recommend.

Thanks--Don

 

[dkhunt14]

26 inches might make it. It would be as short as I would make it. 28 should surely get maximum velocity. Matt

 

[CharlieNC]

For hunting, if you have ever used a short barrel it doesn't take long to decide long barrels suck in terms of balance and carrying. My Tikka 300WM wears a 24" barrel. With a moderate load it pushes a 175vld at 2850fps, and a stout load moves 185vld at 2975fps. What ever is hit properly is quite dead out at ranges that I am willing to shoot, and another 100fps won't make it any more dead. I can push that same 175vld to 2650fps easily in my 20" 308 to achieve a proper terminal velocity within my comfort range, which is 600yd with a stable position and little wind. This may become my elk round next year. I'm less concerned with a little loss in terminal velocity than the other positives gained with a shorter barrel. Because my hunting rifle is setup much like my tactical rifles, it is second nature to be able to quickly and instinctively setup to make a successful shot on an animal.

 

[dkhunt14]

For hunting, if you have ever used a short barrel it doesn't take long to decide long barrels suck in terms of balance and carrying. My Tikka 300WM wears a 24" barrel. With a moderate load it pushes a 175vld at 2850fps, and a stout load moves 185vld at 2975fps. What ever is hit properly is quite dead out at ranges that I am willing to shoot, and another 100fps won't make it any more dead. I can push that same 175vld to 2650fps easily in my 20" 308 to achieve a proper terminal velocity within my comfort range, which is 600yd with a stable position and little wind. This may become my elk round next year. I'm less concerned with a little loss in terminal velocity than the other positives gained with a shorter barrel. Because my hunting rifle is setup much like my tactical rifles, it is second nature to be able to quickly and instinctively setup to make a successful shot on an animal.

I push 210 vld's at 2850 out of my 30 inch barreled 300 WSM. I could go a lot faster of I went to slower powder but the H4350 is so accurate. If your not going to put a long barrel to get the velocity, you might as well chamber a 30-06. Smaller capacity so you can burn the powder and not loose that much over the WSM. matt

 

[SheepDog]

Barrel length has a lot of variables. Do you use it in open country then a longer barrel will be fine but if you hunt in thick woods a shorter barrel will be easier to get on target. As for the contour, do you mind carrying a 10 or 12 pound rifle or do you need a lighter gun?
My needs have changed with a move to open country. In the past I have hunted in heavy woods and brush with a 24 inch barrel rifle. I prefer heavy guns and mine come in at about ten pounds. That is something I can put up with for the heavy barrels I prefer. For others a 7-1/2 pound gun gets too heavy climbing slopes and carrying it for a days hunt. I think a long skinny barrel is going to cause accuracy issues but that depends on how it is handled in the field.
You have to decide how much weight you can handle, how long and heavy you need in a barrel. As to switching to a different cartridge I ask why? A 24" 33 WSM will still provide a higher velocity than a 24" 3006. You want the magnum then fit the gun to your fit.

 

[Drop Port]

For me it depends on the weight bullet, for 180 and under I shoot a 25" S/A, for 210's - 215's a long FB long barrel long action. This cartridge can be two different animals.
My go to for 15 years has been a S/A 25" launching 175's @ 3050 fps and it has been perfect for deer, speed goats and hogs. It held its own at match or two also.

 

[civil82]

Contour would depend on specific hunting use for me. My longish range "critter getter" wears a Douglas 5A contour. With a 700LA and High Tech Specialties stock, it weighs 8lbs., sans optic.[/QUOTE]

 

[Fish30114]

Folks, thanks a lot for the input--I am not too concerned about weight, but I do come from the school that lighter is better for hunting rifles--having said that I am what I would call an accuracy aficionado and I am thinking I want a heavier contour than the factory Sako 75 300 WSM barrels. I have some rifles with 26" barrels and they are not encumbering to me from a length standpoint.

 

[IdahoCTD]

I have a 300wsm built on a Rem. 700 long action with a #5 Brux 26" long. It's throated long to shoot 215's and it runs them 2950fps with R-26. All up in a Game Scout stock, Talleys, and a VX-6 3x18 it weighs 10lbs 3oz.

 

[savagedasher]

26 " far better if your ever have to shoot off hand. Larry

 

[tuttlefarm]

I push 210 vld's at 2850 out of my 30 inch barreled 300 WSM. I could go a lot faster of I went to slower powder but the H4350 is so accurate. If your not going to put a long barrel to get the velocity, you might as well chamber a 30-06. Smaller capacity so you can burn the powder and not loose that much over the WSM. matt

This is my 24 inch barrel 300 WSM (plus 2 inches for the brake). I used one of my light gun barrels that was 30 inches and cut her back. 62 grains of H4350 and gets 2700 fps.

 

[FeMan]

One of my favorite hunting rifles is a Tikka T3 in 300 wsm. It had a 24" barrel, but I had a brake cut into it and now it is down to 22.5" effective length. I can shoot 200 grain ELDXs at 3000 fps in that rifle with RL26, but the H4350 load at 2835 shoots a quarter MOA and is very temp stable so I use that load for hunting.

The longest barrel I will hunt with any more is 25". I hate long barrels in the woods and what little ballistic gain you get for every inch doesn't come near to offsetting the aggravation caused by a rile that wants to flip over on me and catches every bush and tree branch I walk by.

As far a contours go, I use the 3 or 3B for my custom LR hunting rifles.

 

[Zero333]

I like 24" barrels for hunting with Short Magnums. Even with a 300 winmag I got 3,100 fps with 190 Berg. Hunt. 24" bbl. and IMR-4831.

I like my hunting rifles light and handy.

Unless you know for a fact you'll be trying to take down game at 600 yards, I would go with a 24" barrel.

 

[JLT]

Hunting rifles are carried way more than shot. 24" for a WSM should be fine. Magnum sporter contour or lighter . . . .

 

[Fish30114]

All good input folks, I appreciate it--I'm set to order my barrels and get rolling on these!

 

[dragman]

Minimum 26 for one if I was building one I really like them around 28-30" I have a few factory guns that are 24" that are great but don't really maximize the potential.

 

[BradMT]

Hunting rifle, 24"

 

[jfseaman]

Minimum 26 for one if I was building one I really like them around 28-30" I have a few factory guns that are 24" that are great but don't really maximize the potential.

I have a 300-WSM, the original barrel was standard factory at 24".

My preference is 26" or longer.

My current barrel is 28" Sendero profile Pac-Nor.

IMO you can get what you want from a 24". If a carry rifle that would be fine. I get what people say about the extra 2 inches in the brush. not LOL.