I am considering getting a new barrel for my Remington 700 270 wsm. if I get a krieger bull barrel and have it fluted it will add about one pound. Also want to add two inches to the length. Is the increased bullet velocity worth the loss of accuracy. I want to be able to shoot up to 500 yds for deer from a gun rest in a blind.
New barrel
- Thread starter Boomer79
- Start date
Keith Glasscock
Gold $$ Contributor
I agree with Alf...
A #5 is my max for a hunting gun. The additional 2" will not give you enough difference in velocity to be worth the weight of carrying it in the woods.
(A laminate stock, #5 barrel cut to 24", 17 oz scope and Rem 700 action runs right at 10.4 lbs - plenty to haul around. When I feel like fooling with people, I shoot it for F/TR (it is a 308 after all) at 600 yards as that rifle is just as accurate as my match rifle (a 16.5 lb behemouth).
I know that longer barrels are (slightly) more flexible than short ones. I think that people misunderstand the flexible barrel model. The additional flex from a longer barrel only really changes the tune of the rifle, not necessarily the accuracy potential. A longer barrel might give you a little more energy on target, but the cartridge is way more than enough for deer and elk with "normal" barrel lengths.
As this will be a hunting rifle that will probably last your lifetime and be handed down to another, do yourself a favor and really consider the overall weight of the rifle. You may find yourself on a guided hunt with that rifle one day. Sometimes, it takes some serious hiking to get in...
A #5 is my max for a hunting gun. The additional 2" will not give you enough difference in velocity to be worth the weight of carrying it in the woods.
(A laminate stock, #5 barrel cut to 24", 17 oz scope and Rem 700 action runs right at 10.4 lbs - plenty to haul around. When I feel like fooling with people, I shoot it for F/TR (it is a 308 after all) at 600 yards as that rifle is just as accurate as my match rifle (a 16.5 lb behemouth).
I know that longer barrels are (slightly) more flexible than short ones. I think that people misunderstand the flexible barrel model. The additional flex from a longer barrel only really changes the tune of the rifle, not necessarily the accuracy potential. A longer barrel might give you a little more energy on target, but the cartridge is way more than enough for deer and elk with "normal" barrel lengths.
As this will be a hunting rifle that will probably last your lifetime and be handed down to another, do yourself a favor and really consider the overall weight of the rifle. You may find yourself on a guided hunt with that rifle one day. Sometimes, it takes some serious hiking to get in...
Boomer - unless your .270 WSM is ailing - there's no reason you can't make that 500 yard shot from the blind with your factory rifle. It's a flat shooting cartridge with an excellent reputation for accuracy, and should make short work of a deer at 500 yards.
Of course, if you just want a cool new Krieger barrel on the rifle - I fully understand that!
I don't think you're going to gain all that much velocity from an additional 2" of barrel length though.
Two of my hunting rifles have varmint weight, or nearly varmint weight barrels: a .308 Win/Rem 700 with a 24" Krieger turned to the Remington varmint contour and a .300 WSM/Win 70 "Coyote" which still has the factory 24" stainless barrel. They're both a little heavy for general purpose hunting, although I've backpacked and hiked with each of them. Either one is easily capable of 500 yard shots, the .308 in particular exhibits very good accuracy out at 500 & 600 yards. It's gone through a few barrels now, and I keep coming back to the same contour.
Someday I'm going to need to re-barrel the .300 WSM too - and like you I've considered going longer and perhaps even heavier - but I don't think I'm going to do so. It's heavy enough for excellent stability.
Take your time, consider the intended purpose of your rifle. If it's purely for shooting from a blind, a little extra weight isn't going to be a problem. If you intend on doing some mountain hiking with it, or even anticipate a possible snap shot while walking to the blind, then a heavy barrel is going to be a bit of a drawback. It's all about trade-offs.
.300 WSM Model 70 Coyote on a backpack hunt in the Cascades. The laminated stock and slightly heavy contour barrel make it a bit of a chore for packing, but it does shoot well:
My ol' "Green Machine" .308 Win/Rem 700 - the center-fire rifle I shoot the most. Broke it out for whitetail hunting this year, and shot this little fellow from a blind. He was only 75 yards away, but I was scanning an area out to nearly 500 yards while in the blind:
These two are a tad heavy for general purpose hunting, but the extra weight is nice for stability when making a longer/precision shot. I've actually done pretty well in 600 yard prone (not F-Class) matches with the .308 too.
Don't be in a big hurry - figure out what you want before making the decision. Can you hit well with the factory rifle at 500 yards? Perhaps! It's really not that hard, particularly from a steady rest.
Best of luck - I like your project - it's got a specific goal. Deer at 500, from a blind. Cool.
Guy
Of course, if you just want a cool new Krieger barrel on the rifle - I fully understand that!
I don't think you're going to gain all that much velocity from an additional 2" of barrel length though.
Two of my hunting rifles have varmint weight, or nearly varmint weight barrels: a .308 Win/Rem 700 with a 24" Krieger turned to the Remington varmint contour and a .300 WSM/Win 70 "Coyote" which still has the factory 24" stainless barrel. They're both a little heavy for general purpose hunting, although I've backpacked and hiked with each of them. Either one is easily capable of 500 yard shots, the .308 in particular exhibits very good accuracy out at 500 & 600 yards. It's gone through a few barrels now, and I keep coming back to the same contour.
Someday I'm going to need to re-barrel the .300 WSM too - and like you I've considered going longer and perhaps even heavier - but I don't think I'm going to do so. It's heavy enough for excellent stability.
Take your time, consider the intended purpose of your rifle. If it's purely for shooting from a blind, a little extra weight isn't going to be a problem. If you intend on doing some mountain hiking with it, or even anticipate a possible snap shot while walking to the blind, then a heavy barrel is going to be a bit of a drawback. It's all about trade-offs.
.300 WSM Model 70 Coyote on a backpack hunt in the Cascades. The laminated stock and slightly heavy contour barrel make it a bit of a chore for packing, but it does shoot well:
My ol' "Green Machine" .308 Win/Rem 700 - the center-fire rifle I shoot the most. Broke it out for whitetail hunting this year, and shot this little fellow from a blind. He was only 75 yards away, but I was scanning an area out to nearly 500 yards while in the blind:
These two are a tad heavy for general purpose hunting, but the extra weight is nice for stability when making a longer/precision shot. I've actually done pretty well in 600 yard prone (not F-Class) matches with the .308 too.
Don't be in a big hurry - figure out what you want before making the decision. Can you hit well with the factory rifle at 500 yards? Perhaps! It's really not that hard, particularly from a steady rest.
Best of luck - I like your project - it's got a specific goal. Deer at 500, from a blind. Cool.
Guy
What about a Brux barrels standard Palma contour ? That's what I had installed on my 6x284. Its 30" long and much lighter then my former 26"Hart varmint contour. If you were to get one in 26" length,it would be awesome and light. Brux bbls seems to get a cut rifled bbl out the quickest . I had a Win Mod 70 in 270 wsm. Had it rebarreled to 7mm wsm 26" Brux #4 contour. Its "Bad to the Bone "
DCRYDER
Silver $$ Contributor
Sounds like you hunt like I do!!!! I think the extra weight really helps on longer shots due to recoil. My old 280AI had a #5 Shilen at 27". My next one will probably have a heavier barrel, and at least 26" long. I very much agree with the recommendation of the 150gr Bergers.
"Hey M700 Nice Rifles Man, What Scope is on the 300 WSM"
Both rifles have old one-inch tube 4.5-14x Leupold scopes. A few years ago I had Leupold add the M1 turrets to the one on the .300 WSM. They've been good scopes. The green painted one has been in use at least 15 years, maybe more like 17 as I recall. The black one is likely about ten years old. They just keep on working.
My general purpose rifles have fixed 6x scopes, but for these, intended for longer ranges & more precise shooting, I like the variables.
Regards, Guy
Both rifles have old one-inch tube 4.5-14x Leupold scopes. A few years ago I had Leupold add the M1 turrets to the one on the .300 WSM. They've been good scopes. The green painted one has been in use at least 15 years, maybe more like 17 as I recall. The black one is likely about ten years old. They just keep on working.
My general purpose rifles have fixed 6x scopes, but for these, intended for longer ranges & more precise shooting, I like the variables.
Regards, Guy
I hunt with two different deer rifles. One a 308 model 7 Remington, it has been trued and is wearing a 20" 1:12, 5R, #4, RockCreek barrel, in a pillar beded tupperware stock, that has the lug glassed in and the barrel free floated. It is now wearing a Sightron SIII 3.5 X 10 X 44 Illuminated scope. I shoot this rifle at deer to 600 yards. I have a Leica 1600 range finder and have pre determined my bullet drops in 10 yard increments. At 600 yards this rifle will shoot sub .5 MOA. groups if I do my part with 150 Swift Sciroccos.
My second rifle is a Trued Remington 700 in 300 Win Mag., wearing a #2, Gary Schnieder 1;10 barrel from many years ago, and a Canjar set trigger, in a McMillian A2 stock, with 5.5 X 22 X 56mm Night force scope. I am shooting 180 Swift Sciroccos at 3150 fps sub .5 moa out to 1000 yds if i can do my part. .
A good rifle in the hands of a good experienced shooter can shoot much further than most shooters have ever thought about. Most hunters lack truly good rifles and good shooting skills. There is nothing like load development and trigger time at real distances.
Nat Lambeth
My second rifle is a Trued Remington 700 in 300 Win Mag., wearing a #2, Gary Schnieder 1;10 barrel from many years ago, and a Canjar set trigger, in a McMillian A2 stock, with 5.5 X 22 X 56mm Night force scope. I am shooting 180 Swift Sciroccos at 3150 fps sub .5 moa out to 1000 yds if i can do my part. .
A good rifle in the hands of a good experienced shooter can shoot much further than most shooters have ever thought about. Most hunters lack truly good rifles and good shooting skills. There is nothing like load development and trigger time at real distances.
Nat Lambeth
Truer words were never spoken. "There is nothing like load development and trigger time at real distances.
Nat Lambeth".
This statement holds true to not only hunting, but punching paper as well, and I feel is vital when developing a new load. The load that shoots little knots at 100 yds. might only hold minute of back stop at 1,000 yds. If I get a load that is in the velocity range that I'm looking for, and the ES numbers are low, I don't waste my time admiring my little groups at 100 yds, but rather take that load to the range and confirm the results at the distance I'm going to compete or hunt at. To further prove this point, my partner was fireforming brass at the Nationals at 800 yards because he was running short of formed brass and wanted to keep them for 900 & 1,000. Secondly, he had confidence in that load because he had fired 150-200 of them in practice prior to the match. If memory serves me correctly, he either cleaned 800, or dropped one point with a very good “X†count.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
Nat Lambeth".
This statement holds true to not only hunting, but punching paper as well, and I feel is vital when developing a new load. The load that shoots little knots at 100 yds. might only hold minute of back stop at 1,000 yds. If I get a load that is in the velocity range that I'm looking for, and the ES numbers are low, I don't waste my time admiring my little groups at 100 yds, but rather take that load to the range and confirm the results at the distance I'm going to compete or hunt at. To further prove this point, my partner was fireforming brass at the Nationals at 800 yards because he was running short of formed brass and wanted to keep them for 900 & 1,000. Secondly, he had confidence in that load because he had fired 150-200 of them in practice prior to the match. If memory serves me correctly, he either cleaned 800, or dropped one point with a very good “X†count.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
Why not just go with a Pac-Nor 26" # 4 fluted have your action blue printed and squared and stock of your choice and be done. I have done this with two of my Remies. one being a 280 AI and the other being a 338/06 AI both are shooters and you never notice any difference in the field especially in your case shooting from a blind with a rest .The way I see it your in a no loose situation with what ever barrel combo you go with just practice ,practiced,practice those long shots and you'll have a freezer full of your harvest!
8)
8)
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.