300WM Barrel Length

WyoRob

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Dec 26, 2016
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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

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Oct 22, 2014
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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

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Nov 13, 2017
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Texas
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

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Nov 20, 2013
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Townsend Montana
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

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Jun 18, 2018
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Mississippi
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
 
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Anything over 21" starts falling out of the brush guy category..

In classic western mountains I'd go 26"
 

elkguide

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Jan 26, 2016
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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

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May 8, 2014
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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

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Aug 26, 2012
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Coeur d alene, ID
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

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Jun 30, 2017
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Austin, TX
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.
 
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