300wsm barrel length for hunting rifle

[yorke-1]

YEP YOU need to decide WHY you picked 300 wsm.
if it is for its performance, you will not get it with less bbl

It's not about getting 300 WSM performance in a 20-22" barrel, it's about getting as much performance as possible from that length barrel. A 300 WSM with a 22" barrel will hit 2900 fps pretty easy with a 180gr bullet. There aren't a lot of other options that will give you that performance in a 22" barrel.

As a general rule, when you cut your barrel length down you need to step up to the next class as far as case capacity. If I want the ballistics of a 24" 308 Win, but I want an 18" barrel then I'll go to a 30-06. If I want 30-06 ballistics in the short barrel then it's up to the WSM/Win Mag case capacity. If I want 300 Win Mag/WSM ballistics in the short barrel then it's time for the RUM/Norma cases. Those of us shooting 18-20" specialty pistols have been doing it for years with excellent results. My 14" 300 WSM would keep up with a 24" 30-06 and the 18" 300 RUM pistol would match or exceed the performance of most 300 Win Mag rifles.

 

[Rem7mm08]

#4 contour, 22" Kreiger 1:12 with brake on my 300 WSM. 165 BT @ 3050. Deer are DRT inside 800 yds. Does all I need it to. I will switch to a tougher bullet if I ever get the opportunity for an elk hunt. My .02

 

[tripdad]

If you want a little more velocity im running 3050 with 180 Bt or accubond out of 20" 300WM. Never shoot deer past 350 with it but hitting milk jugs at 600 gets boring quick.

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

Should you run a heavier contour with a shorter barrel?

actually just did a 300 RUM with a bart #3 zero stays same with or without can

 

[Longshotjames]

My buddy has a 300wsm with 20" proof barrel getting 2650fps w 225eldM

that's powerful medicine from a short package!!
James

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

If you ever want to use a suppressor 20 inches.....22 if you will run a brake only believe me 2 inches make a difference

 

[thunder12345+]

I had a 300WSM Winchester Model 70 barrel shortened to 20" and added a brake to it. I also had the barrel and bolt fluted along with the bolt and receiver lightened. That 20" barrel shot a house a fire. Factory 180 grain ammo at 3/4 inch. With my reloaded 180 grain at 1/2 inch. Fun to carry and it was very forgiven to shoot, a hammer on game. Thinking about building another one with these specs. but with Remington Model 700 action.