.300 Blackout SBR project completed...

2bad4u2

2bad4u2

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Well, it's finally finished. Just picked up my Weatherby Vanguard .300 Blackout SBR project from the gunsmith. The donor rifle started out as a basic Vanguard sporter weight rifle in .223 Remington. I had the action re-barrelled using the remaining portion of a Shilen stainless steel heavy varmint contoured blank in .308" (1:8" twist). As luck would have it, there was enough barrel thickness at the chamber end without having to sleeve the barrel to the action.

I canibalized a Hogue overmould stock from a Howa Varmint that I'd just bought and used it for this rifle. Fit's like a glove and the barrel is completely free floated and I didn't have to do any trimming to fit the barrel channel. I didn't bother truing the action as I didn't think the expense was necessary considering how it will be used.

I wanted to buy a low magnification optic in the 1x-5x range for the Vanguard but I thought I'd try my Vortex SPARC on it first to see how I like it. I like how compact the package is and the diminutive SPARC doesn't add much weight either which is a big plus.

The barrel finish length is 11.5" and .865" diameter at the muzzle. Overall length is 32" and weighs 7.0 lbs. with the scope installed. Not exactly a light weight but not too bad either. It's well balanced and compact. It points very quickly when brought to the shoulder. I think an Eagle stock pack would be ideal in making my cheek weld perfect.

Here's a few pics to show the size relative to other rifles. The first pic is with my Remington 700 .300 Blackout with 16" Shilen barrel and the second is with my Bushmaster carbine with 11.5" barrel and the stock closed.

Not sure when I'll have the opportunity to try it out. Might not be til some time in the Spring with work considerations taking priority on my weekends.


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That's awesome, I was thinking of building something similar but decided on something else. Now you have me second guessing. Looks great and would be nice to pack around.
Look forward to hearing how it shoots.
 
Depends on the load. The .300 BLK reportedly burns all of its propellent in 9" of barrel length, so I suspect there won't be much in the way of velocity difference between my Remington's 16" and the Weatherby's 11.5". There'll be some difference but I don't believe it will be significantly less.
 
I hope you don't take too much of my post as insulting, it's nothing personal...cou:

300whisper (or blackout, whatever you want to call it) in an AR platform makes sense. It keeps the basic geometry of the AR with a larger, heavier round. That same system with a suppressor makes even more sense to me (and are quite sublime btw).

That same round in any other platform leaves one scratching their head and asking, 'since this gun isn't restricted to the geometry of an AR, isn't there a better round to use?' Not sure if you went through that exercise at all, but I'd like to know if you did, why? (not withstanding the obvious, 'because, it is fun and I can').

All that aside, looks like a pretty cool build!
 
^^^ No offense taken at all.

I built the rifle in .300 BLK for a number of reasons.

(1) I wanted a SBR in bolt gun. This .300 BLK is ideal for the application. The cartridge is highly efficient with short barrel lengths. The cartridge has the versatility of being able to shoot supersonics and subsonics at any practical barrel length from 8" to 16".

For this rifle specifically, I plan on shooting subsonics almost exlusively and primarily using cast lead bullets. Given the intended use, cartridges based on larger cases are unnecessary.

(2) As you can see, I own a 5.56mm Bushmaster SBR. While very fun to shoot, the noise and concussion of a 11.5" barrel in that cartridge is anything but fun. I don't need the noise or blast. Given my choise of barrel length, few options other than .300 BLK made sense.

It's simply a myth to say that you need a supressor in order to enjoy the benefits of cartridges that produce considerably less noise. Since we cannot legally own supressors here, it's moot point.

(3) I already had the barrel and it didn't cost me anything. If I was planning on a .308 Win. (which I wasn't as I already own several bolts in it). For any other cartridge other than .300 BLK, I would have needed to buy another barrel. Wile I'd like to try a 11.5" .308 Win., I wouldn't want to own one.

(4) The whole intent of the rifle was to have a short range, relatively light, and compact bush rifle that I could have the option to back pack with. Ease of carry and portability were key criteria.

(5) I'm already set up to reload for .300 BLK so from a logistics basis, it is a decided benefit.

(6) And because I can! ;)
 
Now THAT is a very cool project!

Looks like that puppy needs to be threaded for a flash suppressor (not that you need with the the 300 blackout) and a nitrided/blackened barrel! :D
 
If I may, where did you aquire the dies for this cartridge? I've been looking at building an AR in this cartrirdge but have not looked into dies or a chamber reamer as of yet.

Scott
 
Thanks for the kind words fellas.

lone-wolf said:
My short .22mag stevens has a red dot. I think it's perfect.

2bad, have you thought about changing to a detachable mag?
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Actually, I have. While, I may do so in the future I have no immediate plans. I wanted to keep the package as slim as possible for carry purposes. The detachable mag kit would look bad-ass though. Jerry @ Mystic Precision can get them in. They're a factory Howa/Weatherby unit that is very attractively priced.

m39a2 said:
If I may, where did you aquire the dies for this cartridge? I've been looking at building an AR in this cartrirdge but have not looked into dies or a chamber reamer as of yet.

Scott
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I ordered the reamer and gagues through Pacific Tool. The dies were sourced in the USA as well. I don't know of any Canadian supplier carrying them. I actually bought several sets of Lee Pacesetter full length re-sizing and seating dies. I would highly recommend them and a Lee Factory Crimp Die. I also bought a Redding neck sizing die which makes life easier on the brass.
 
Very cool project. Looks like it should be a fun lil gun. If you are still thinking of adding a stock pack, I would recomend the one from triad tactical. It's what I have on my Howa, it brings the comb to a perfect height for use with optics.
 
m39a2 said:
If I may, where did you aquire the dies for this cartridge? I've been looking at building an AR in this cartrirdge but have not looked into dies or a chamber reamer as of yet.

Scott
Click to expand...

Juan at North Shore Barrel, one of the site sponsers has dies. Check the EE under precision rifle parts for his ad.
 
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