Savage 16 Bear Hunter Info Needed

[1holeaddict]

I have been wanting to buy a Savage 16 Bear hunter in 300WSM. I have been waiting for some info on velocities from the short 21" tube. 23" with muzzle break but 21" of rifling.Does anyone have any experience with one of these. I am mainly concerned with the velocity. I am open for opinions also.

 

[cliffe]

shooting times tested a savage 300wsm model 14 with a 24" barrel. with a 24" barrel it shot winchester 150 ballistic silvertips @ 3290 fps, winchester 165 fail safe @3024fps, winchester 180 ballistic silvertip @2896fps.
they cut the barrel to 22" and 150s @3228, 165s@2947 and 180s @2844.
then they cut the barrel to 20" and 150s @3159, 165s @2915 and 180s @2782.
so with the 180s 2896 - 2782 = 114 fps and 114 divided by 4 = 28.5fps per inch.
most bear in wisconsin are shot at close range, the last one I shot was 12 steps away with a 270 win. seemed like plenty of gun. but if you can handle the noise ( muzzle brake ) and not much more recoil of a 300 wsm go for it. hope this helps cliffe

 

[cliffe]

 

[wboggs]

Some of the Hornady loads are loaded with a powder designed for short barrels. Check out their web site.
One observation. I don't know what range you are shooting but assume most of your shots are close. At ranges under 150-200 yds., the velocity isn't that important. Bullet placement and construction are the important things. Contrary to much popular opinion, velocity doesn't do the killing.

 

[bozo699]

Some of the Hornady loads are loaded with a powder designed for short barrels. Check out their web site.
One observation. I don't know what range you are shooting but assume most of your shots are close. At ranges under 150-200 yds., the velocity isn't that important. Bullet placement and construction are the important things. Contrary to much popular opinion, velocity doesn't do the killing.

I agree with this post except the last part of it,...Velocity is a contributing factor.
Wayne.

 

[wbm]

Contrary to much popular opinion, velocity doesn't do the killing.

Neither does the rifle, cartridge, or hunter.

But energy does and without velocity the animal bids you good day and goes on it's way. KE = (weight / 450240) x (velocity x velocity)

 

[wboggs]

Have to disagree with your energy theory. The thing that kills is destruction of vital tissue and a bullet properly placed does not need a lot of energy. Any central nervous system shot is usually an instant kill. A lung shot is not unless it is a very small animal. I once shot a goat at 25yds. with .300Wby, 180grs, 3302 fps, broadside through the lungs and he merely looked at me without so much as flinching. He walked about 20 yds. and dropped over. Take the same shot, with almost any caliber, and place it high on the shoulder through the spine and he would have dropped on the spot.

 

[wbm]

Have to disagree with your energy theory.

Duh? It isn't my energy theory. It isn't a theory at all. Just simple physics. No velocity, no energy, no energy no goat killing.

 

[wboggs]

You are correct, velocity is necessary. no doubt about that.

 

[wbm]

Have built and shot a lot of 300WSM's on Savage actions. Since I figure you have a short action, I wouldn't be concerned with trying to stuff a really long heavy bullet in that short case. I would opt for something in 165-168. The one factory loading that shot extremely well in all the 300WSM's was the 165g Federal Fusion. What are you planning on hunting?

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/15757-5.html

 

[1holeaddict]

I completly agree that velocity doesnt kill and i am not a velocity seeker. I am an accuracy seeker. The reason i brought the velocity question to the board is a 300wsm is struggling to achieve the ballistics of a 300win in a standard 24"-26" barrel. Now chop 3"-5" off the barrel and what do you got?If you are only getting 30-06 ballistics why not stick to the olde but goode.

 

[wboggs]

I believe you appreciated the intent of my "velocity" comments as opposed to some other members. You are on the right tract. A 30-06 round, properly placed is very effective indeed. Load a 180 gr. 06 to .270 pressures and the short mag gives about 200fps additional velocity at muzzle which is down to about 06 muzzle at 100-150yds. At extremely long range you gain a small amount in drop and wind drift, but not much. Many years ago I learned that there was no difference in killing power between the same bullet at 200fps faster at muzzle. Want more killing powder, then go to a larger bullet, say a .338 250gr.
By the way, I load for both a 300 Win mag and a 300wsm and you can get alittle more velocity out of the Win mag at equal pressures. There is no difference in killing power, using idential bullets, between them or the Weatherby.

 

[1holeaddict]

When i first held one of these Bear Hunters i fell in love. I have a 116 weather warrior with the same contour barrel and the same muzzle break but it is only 19" from the factory.The gun shoots amazing with practicaly anything i feed it from reloads to factory. I have been waiting for Savage to rerun this type of barrel again and here it is. I really dont have a need for another 300 being i own 2-300Wins,1-300Wsm,1-300Rsaum,and a custom Bobby Hart 300 Weatherby mark 5.Possibly i will step up and get the 116 in 338Win