300 WSM build

[FTRinTexas]

I have a Montana Rifle Company short action mag bolt face action just sitting around and am thinking about building a hunting rifle for a sheep hunt. What barrel twist should I get for a 28" length barrel? Wanting to shoot heavy weight bullets in the 180-230g range.

 

[jghoghunter]

No less than a 1 in 10 otherwise you wont be able to shoot the 230"s. A friend has a 11 twist and it wont shoot the 210vld very well but hammers the 200smk.

 

[dragman]

No less than a 1 in 10 otherwise you wont be able to shoot the 230"s. A friend has a 11 twist and it wont shoot the 210vld very well but hammers the 200smk.

You are very correct! I have gotten 11 twists to shoot the 208's but you gotta push them hard to keep them stable. if you want to shoot the 230's or better I suggest faster than a 10 twist. My 10 will stabilize the 230's but I have a 9 twist being done now as it's a little better.

 

[Steve3]

What reamer?

 

[Geno C]

28" barreled sheep gun? Like others have said, the 1-10 will shoot just about anything. I have a 20" pencil barreled 300wsm for my mountain gun a few years ago. For 3 shot groups and cold bore shots you couldn't ask for a better shooting rifle. I strictly shot 210 hunting vlds.

 

[asauer]

What reamer?

That depends- do you plan on turning necks? I'm using Norma brass in mine. Spec'd a .340" neck. Brass measures around 0.338" with a bullet in it. My buddy and I built identical guns, so I figured it was a good compromise since he whined about turning necks... I didn't turn mine at first but now I'm running 0.336" to clean everything up and make myself feel better about having more clearance- I'd certainly suggest at least the same amount for a hunting gun, but better experts may be able to better advise.
What's the max loaded round length you can fit in the mag? That will be your biggest decision- the freebore.

 

[ESpringman]

10 TWIST....

 

[Steve3]

Thanks asauer. Would just as soon not turn necks. But I understand what you are saying. And it would be nice to have a rifle I could just buy a box of factory for if need be. Thinking of building rifle for 180 grain AccuBond bullet.

 

[asauer]

I believe most "SAAMI" reamers are around 0.345" in the neck.
A lesson I wish I'd have learned was to buy the dies first, then ordered the reamer to be a perfect fit (if you intend on buying your own reamer).
Sorry I'm not much help on your bullet choice. I just punch paper with mine. Best bet would be to buy the dies, brass, bullets. Seat a bullet in an empty case and play around. I highly recommend setting it up so the driving band (.308") area of the bullet is above the neck/shoulder junction, if that's the only bullet/longest bullet you intend on using.

 

[Drop Port]

I would first decide the max distance you plan on hunting. Although it is one of my favorites I personally wouldn't build a short action for heavy bullets. To take advantage of the longer bullets you need barrel length and free bore unless you don't mind stuffing bullets in the case.
With a short action I personally wouldn't go over 180 with my 2.980" mag box, and wouldn't bother with a long barrel. Just my .02 but as stated I like setting up a cartridge bullet combo above the neck shoulder junction.

With that said I've seen many shoot very well with bullets stuffed, if it gets you where you want to be.

 

[asauer]

Very good point. I missed that in his first post- mine is on a long action so I didn't have such constraints. I'd measure how much room you have to work with in the mag box and base your reamer to take the best of the situation you've been given.

I'd call first, but I believe most reamer makers have a comparator they can use to measure a dummy round with a bullet seated just to fit in your mag box if you send it to them.

 

[4xforfun]

I have two 1-11 twist tubes that shoot the 210 and 215 great. i also have a 1-12 that hammers with the 200 Hybrids.