300WM Barrel Length

[WyoRob]

What's the sweet spot for barrel length on a 300WM where it's going to be long enough to provide adequate velocities yet short enough to want to carry in the mountains?

 

[Formidilosus]

What's the sweet spot for barrel length on a 300WM where it's going to be long enough to provide adequate velocities yet short enough to want to carry in the mountains?

There isn’t a “sweet” spot. I have had them from 16”-30” and you do not loose as much velocity as people think. A 20” doesn’t bother me, but in general with magnums I go 22”.

 

[Dusty2426]

I have a 20 and a 26” velocity loss unnoticeable to any animal I’ve shot. If your normal mountain hunting 500 yard and in you’ll never know the difference. if your poking holes at long range 8-1000 yards go longer barrel. but at normal hunting ranges I take my 20 nearly every time

 

[Broz]

Figure 22 fps per inch from 22" to 30" and compare the wind drift and impact velocity for your bullet at your longest shot you will take. I typically build 28's, but a 26" is pretty impressive with the right powder and a 215 Berger.

Jeff

 

[msstate56]

24” is pretty much the industry standard. Most ammo manufacturers use a 24” barrel for velocity numbers. But I also shoot mine out to 1,000+, if you’ll never shoot past 500 of so it really won’t matter

 

[Ndbowhunter]

Anything over 21" starts falling out of the brush guy category..

In classic western mountains I'd go 26"

 

[elkguide]

I have 22", 24" & 26" - .300 Win Mag rifles. My go to has always been the 24" barreled rifle but this year since I have an elk tag in an area where a 1000 yard shot may be an option, I'm carrying my Cooper, with a 26" barrel.

 

[mcseal2]

I went 23.5" plus a fairly short brake on my custom 300WM. I'm getting 2900fps with factory Nosler E tip ammo 50fps below their advertised velocity. I've never seen Nosler factory stuff meet advertised velocity in anything I shoot though regardless of barrel length, that's closer than most. My reloads with 81gr of H1000 and a 180gr Accubond get 2956fps. The Nosler book with a 24" barrel shows 3123fps. I don't feel like I'm missing much, I'd probably go 23" if I was building it again today.

 

[Msowa]

good friend has been running factory Nosler trophy grade 180gr ammo out of a 22" 1-10 twist at 2870fps...a guy can get a lot done with those numbers imo. always a trade off though. I'll be cutting mine down to accommodate the added length of a can.

 

[ATX762]

26" is nice if you don't run a can, definitely more velocity, also a little less boomy, and a little longer barrel usually hangs on target better. 22" if you are going to run a can.