barrel length for 215 Bergers

[TackDriv3r]

Hi guys, I am having my .300 Win Mag built very soon, something has been itching me about barrel length. Most of my hunting rifles use a 26 inch barrel, and I was hoping to use a 215 Berger on this .300 Win Mag if I plan to hunt big game, if that is what most of you guys are using for barrel length for long range hunting in the 300. I checked Quickload and I see that the node is best with 180 bullets but not for the 215 Bergers if I use a 26 inch barrel, but the 24 inch barrel shows the node with 215 Bergers. What do you guys recommend on barrel length? Hoping to get the correct length so I won't regret it later if I get the wrong length.

Do I get to choose bullet weight that I plan to use to get correct barrel length in relation to use the perfect node? If I decide to use 180 grain bullets, then I need to use a 26 inch barrel and if I want to use 215 Bergers, then I need to stick to 24 inch barrel? I am a bit confused and hope for some insight. Thanks

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

26" would be my minimum, i don't know what powder youl be using but with whats available to me i could get the "higher" node with my 24" WM barrel and 215s.

 

[RonAKA]

I am not a believer in the QL "node" prediction theory. QL has a lot of good uses, but I don't believe that is one of them. Choose your barrel length based on the velocity you want to achieve. A short barrel is going to cost you velocity. It is also going to limit how much you can alter velocity to find the real sweet spot with a ladder test. I would not go less than 26" and 28" would be better with a big case capacity cartridge like the 300 WM. The only "free" velocity you will ever get is from a longer barrel.

 

[FatBoy]

I've shot some of the 215 hybrids side by side with my go-to 230 OTM load. DOPE was within .5 MOA from 100 yards to 1250 yards. That's with .3gr more Retumbo under the 215s. the 230s are jumped .030" but the 215s had to be jumped .065" to mag feed and they shot superbly.

26.5" 1:10 twist.

I'd go 26-27. It's a hell of a lot cheaper to take a couple inches off than it is to add it back on.

 

[Zero333]

I found 26" 300winmag barrels easier to tune than 24" ones.

 

[Gb300wm]

I have a Sako 75 with a 24 3/8" barrel 11 twist. I shoot 210 vld hunting bullets in mine with rl25. No problems and very accurate. My throat on the older model 75 and magazine allows me to have an oal of 3.630". Velocity is right at 2900 fps.

 

[smoooth]

Any barrel length will work, the compromise is velocity. If you plan to shoot suppressed while hunting you will be adding an extra 8"-10" onto your already long barrel making for a cumbersome, front heavy rifle.

What make action, barrel, contour and twist rate will you be choosing? You could go slightly shorter with a faster twist, say 1-8.5.

Best of luck!