Shortening a 300 WSM barrel; effects on velocity and accuracy?

338x

338x

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Have anyone experienced shortening a 300 WSM barrel? Effect on velocity and accuracy? I just built a Savage model 10 Precision Carbine with switch barrels (308 and 300 WSM) and just love how the 308 20" shoots. For hunting purpose I have a 24" standard weight 300 WSM Savage barrel. I'm thinking of shortening the 300 WSM barrel to 20" just like the 308. Does anyone ever experienced the effect it had on velocity and accuracy?

Thanks, Fred.
 
I have a custom built 16in. Remington 700 for quite long time now, must say i didn't loose any accuracy, i MAY have lost some FPS, but, critter don't worry...
I also use Hornady Superformance in my Kel-Tec RFB for hinting
If you use little bit lighter bullet to compensate for the little velocity lost, that should be good
In the mean time:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_barrel.htm
 
I have a magazine with an article about this subject, a 300wsm was cut from 24" to 20". 150gr. win silvertips went from 3290 to 3159fps and 180 gr win from 2896 to 2782fps. Not a large drop in velocity with the short cases and powder used, accuracy will depend on several factors but a short stiff barrel should be as good or better than a longer whippy barrel. Lots of info has been written about the difference in velocity and accuracy of a short vs long barrel, it is a standard article of the gun mag writers every so many years.
 
dead meat said:
I have a magazine with an article about this subject, a 300wsm was cut from 24" to 20". 150gr. win silvertips went from 3290 to 3159fps and 180 gr win from 2896 to 2782fps. Not a large drop in velocity with the short cases and powder used, accuracy will depend on several factors but a short stiff barrel should be as good or better than a longer whippy barrel. Lots of info has been written about the difference in velocity and accuracy of a short vs long barrel, it is a standard article of the gun mag writers every so many years.
Click to expand...

Based on Sendero's link and your magazine article, a faster bullet will loose more velocity when the barrel is shortened than a heavier slower moving bullet. The velocity loss is any cases is not much. Interesting... The 300 WSM is strickly for moose hunting and this rifle will be for carrying so having a 20" barrel could be very handy... Thanks for your feedback and information.
 
bcsteve said:
You'll end up with a loud, hard kicking .30-06.
Click to expand...

But shorter than a 30-06 of the same ballistic capability. Unless you are questioning the point of WSM cartridges which is a valid point I think.... If it began as an '06 it would be even slower with a shorter barrel. Thus the proliferation of 20" 338LM discussions online. Reference the discussions about how ethical hunting ranges might reasonably be limited to 7-8 hundred yards and suddenly there is not a great need for a 1.5k ballistic performer other than range fun. A rifle with enough power to reliably drop any game at 7-8 hundred yards while being short enough to carry in thick brush, fit easily in boat/quad/truck/airplane etc... Plus short barrels are stiffer and so more likely to be accurate all other things being equal. As far as the loud issue; if you don't use hearing protection when shooting animals you are living in a dream world. My basic '06 is seriously loud without protection. Not everyone wants to carry 48" rifle.
 
emerson said:
But shorter than a 30-06 of the same ballistic capability. Unless you are questioning the point of WSM cartridges which is a valid point I think.... If it began as an '06 it would be even slower with a shorter barrel. Thus the proliferation of 20" 338LM discussions online. Reference the discussions about how ethical hunting ranges might reasonably be limited to 7-8 hundred yards and suddenly there is not a great need for a 1.5k ballistic performer other than range fun. A rifle with enough power to reliably drop any game at 7-8 hundred yards while being short enough to carry in thick brush, fit easily in boat/quad/truck/airplane etc... Plus short barrels are stiffer and so more likely to be accurate all other things being equal. As far as the loud issue; if you don't use hearing protection when shooting animals you are living in a dream world. My basic '06 is seriously loud without protection. Not everyone wants to carry 48" rifle.
Click to expand...

That's the point, i'am in the same boat, for few years, i was carrying my TRG42 in 338LM for hunting and even if i was hitting steel plate up to 1.5km, i was limiting my shot to 1500-1700 feet on moose...
800 yards is a FREAKING shot on a moose, shure it can be done, shure some have shoot greater range but a LOT of game have been lost at closer or longer range, and, that's NOT what i whant, my NEXT build will be a short, lightweight hunting rifle with MY personal limit of 500 yard, it will probably be a 20in barreled rifle in 300 WSM
Keep me in touch of your results please
Respectfully
Marc
 
sendero said:
That's the point, i'am in the same boat, for few years, i was carrying my TRG42 in 338LM for hunting and even if i was hitting steel plate up to 1.5km, i was limiting my shot to 1500-1700 feet on moose...
800 yards is a FREAKING shot on a moose, shure it can be done, shure some have shoot greater range but a LOT of game have been lost at closer or longer range, and, that's NOT what i whant, my NEXT build will be a short, lightweight hunting rifle with MY personal limit of 500 yard, it will probably be a 20in barreled rifle in 300 WSM
Keep me in touch of your results please
Respectfully

Marc
Click to expand...
I am on hold for budget; probably for some time. When the time comes I'm looking at a custom build 18" braked 338LM, detachable mag in a Cadex chassis.
 
I was also looking for the CADEX but man, this piece of art is so heavy !!! (around 7 pound) so for me, there was no advantage for a short but heavy rifle
What i'am ordering is a carbon fiber XLR chassis, carbon fiber 20in barrel for 300wsm and titanium action, hope it will be all done for this winter !!!
That's why i have a interest in this thread :)
But the 18in 338lm project is VERY interesting too !!!! My 26in barreled 338lm is blasting like hell, the 18in should be canon like blasting lolll
 
This is the whole point about the 300 WSM built. I have a 338 UM with #7 contour 26" barrel for the long shots. So far this not any area where I hunt that would allow 500+ yards shot except accross the lake.
 
Anyone tried the Nosler Long Range Accubonds? I'll be trialing loads with 4350 & 4831SC with the 180 & 200 gr. regular Accubonds but still waiting for the LR to show up anywhere. I'll will not venture in any other bullets as the this be a hunting gun only.
 
Gents

I am a little late to this thread, however, I must say I like what I am seeing and reading.

I received a Savage 300 WSM in trade, and my thoughts were originally to spin it off.

However, I have started to do some research, and the more I read about it, the more I like this cartridge.

I really like the idea of shorter, hence stiffer barrel for this cartridge.

As for muzzle blast, I would like to share a thought.

In the AR world, short barreled (read 16") AR's in 308 can have quite the blast. They have developed Linear breaks/muzzle treatments that throw the blast down range, away from the shooter and bystanders, and have little to no effect on point of impact, or barrel dimension other than making it 2" or so lonnger. I have seen these personally, and they are really effective.

With this in mind, one wonders if such a technology could be adapted to short barreled 30 cal bolt action rifles in 300 WSM.

Just food for thought.

Further, If any of you have proceeded with your short barrel builds, please do share your results, good or bad.

Thx in advance

AbH
 
You're not late... I've purchased a 2nd barrel for my project. Now I have a 24" and a 20.5" both are fitted with the same muzzle break. I've not experienced velocity trials since i was mostly concentrating on working a load for the 24" barrel for moose hunting that will start in 10 days. I'm getting a fixture made in order to clamp the action so i can easily change the barrel. All this, makes doing trials a bit complicated. If I'd be retired and having every day to go shoot and it would be a different story. I'll post more information later....

Best hunting load so far: 180 gr Accubond , 63.5 gr H4350, Norma brass, COAL = 2.915" (0.005" off the lands). Average : 3001 fps (24" barrel + muzzle break).

Cheers!
 
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