24" or 26" 300wm barrel for elk hunting

I am new to the sport of hunting elk, but I understand that alot of hiking will be involved. I am not sure of the areas or terrain that I will one day be hunting. I would like to know the length of barrel that would be best for most elk terrains. Keep in mind that weight difference would be minor because I will be purchasing a proof carbon fiber barrel. However, I would be adding a brake, which would add about 2" to the barrel length. Would the 26" + brake be too long for the rougher terrains or should I go 24"+brake?

I went with a 24" on my 300 WM hunting rifle and added a Vais brake. I don't think I would like it much longer unless I was sitting and overlooking mostly.

I would drop down to 22 inch barrel, for all practical ranges, the 300 WM paired with a 22 inch barrel makes for a handy woods rifle and can be stretched out past most guys comfortable range.

I would rather have a packable rifle that was easily maneuverable and lose 100-200 yards from the slower velocity.

just my own opinion.

I will go the opposite and say 26" minimum for my wants in a .300 elk rifle. My .300RUM is actually a 28" plus brake. My 7RM is 26" plus brake. My .280AI with Proof barrel I am currently building is 26" plus brake.

If your 0-600 yards 24" is lots.
Also if it's not a bench gun forget the brake. Strictly hunting rifle I don't see the need for a brake.

How far do you see yourself shooting at,am elk while hunting? What grain bullet would you like to hunt with? I personally like a 26" because I like heavy bullets and want good velocity. I'd rather a 30" so I feel a 26" is a good compromise.

83, I'm 67 and hunt elk with a 26" with a 2" brake. I'm pretty pumped by the time a hunt starts and I don't notice the weight of my rifle. The 26 makes the velocity and is my preference. In the end it's your choice. Good luck.

I agree that the max distance you want to be able to shoot plays a role. I'll just say I carried a 26" barrel 338 Win Mag on a Colorado elk hunt a few years ago and was really missing my 24" 7mm...

I have a 300 with a 24" barrel and no brake. When it gets a new tube it's going to be at least 26". I hunt in Michigan for whitetail and terrain is everything from wide open fields to heavy cover. When I'm in the heavy stuff I don't bother with the WM as at 24" it's still too long. I carry a 12ga with an 18" rifled barrel.

Trm82 said:

If your 0-600 yards 24" is lots.
Also if it's not a bench gun forget the brake. Strictly hunting rifle I don't see the need for a brake.

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My .300RUM pushes a 230 Hybrid at 3060fps. A brake is a shoulder saver.
My 7RM is 9.5 lbs with scope pushing a 180 Hybrid @ 2996fps. My petite daughter uses it for elk. A brake sure is nice to have on that too.

I think EVERY tool that helps you shoot more accurately is needed on a huntiing rifle. Brakes definitely fall in that category. Less recoil = more comfort = more accuracy.

You need a 26 to burn all the powder, so I'm told. I go with 25 or 26 on my 300's. I also really like a brake, not for hunting but for sighting in and practice.

AZ Wildcat said:

I agree that the max distance you want to be able to shoot plays a role. I'll just say I carried a 26" barrel 338 Win Mag on a Colorado elk hunt a few years ago and was really missing my 24" 7mm...

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Was it because of the extra weight or the 26" getting snagged on brush that made you want the 24"?

My .300wm is 25" plus brake. It is a Brux Sendero contour tube with a Kampfeld brake. It is pleasant to shoot, but loud (I don't shoot it w/o ear protection). I wouldn't change a thing. It is long enough to be efficient, yet still fits in a normal size case (Plano AW hard case).

I'm pushing Berger 210vld's at 2990 with 77.5gr of H1000. It is hot, but the gun shoots very well at this node and the downrange trajectory and energy is phenomenal...

I'm in the process of a 300WM build. I'm going with 25" as a compromise between 24-26. also, I didn't want to get too long as it will be suppressed all the time, and that adds another 8"+ to the overall length. I figure I can get a 200gr ELD-X up to or around 3000fps with RL26, so that's right where I want to be.