If you were to build a .300WM for hunting…

[bigngreen]

If I were doing this I'd go to the WSM for the chambering on the same action, throat that bugger long, I've done a few of them and it's just a better fit for a short barrel suppressed rig while having that magnum performance!!

 

[ArmaHeavy]

I don't think terminal performance is the issue (say for example, an elk at 700). It'll die quick if you hit it in the right place. So no, terminal performance is not a big variable between a 20 and a 22" tube. What matters most is external ballistics. At "long range" your biggest variable, which is always partially an unknown, is wind. Higher speed and better BC reduce your margin of error while making a wind call. While no slouch, the 300 WSM isn't the world's best long range hunting cartridge. If that's your sole aim, you'd be better off with a giant 300 (think Norma AI with a 245 gr.) or a hot 7mm. The 300 WSM will do it, but I'll take the speed advantage that a few more inches of barrel offer IF your intention is take game >500 yards.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I have a 26" barrel, 10lbs 3oz 300 WM with a direct thread Jaeger 30. Recoil with 215s is stout. So stout that the HNT26 pistol grip slams back into my hand and is not comfortable at all (like leaves bruises).

Just took the suppressor off a 338 Lapua and put just the brake on and now it is happy, happy.

Suppressors are nice, but you gotta get the right one. Anything magnum and it's still a magnum...

 

[ATH]

My first centerfire rifle was a Remington Sendero in 300WM. That was the most rifle I was comfortable shooting without a brake. Recoil was stout. All-up it ran 12.5lbs.

A couple years ago I pulled the Sendero apart. Added a lighter (but not pencil) McGowen barrel still in 300WM, 24". Dropped it in a McMillan Edge stock. Same optics it's now 9-9.5lbs.

The great thing about suppressors is there is no longer any downside to a brake. The gun wears a 2 port Griffin brake to which the suppressor attaches. Since I never shoot it without the suppressor, the brake doesn't add noise. Since it's inside the suppressor, it doesn't add barrel length. The gun now recoils more like a 308 despite all the weight I took off.

I did go down to 20" on a 223AI I built specifically as a suppressor host, but I definitely gave up speed.

 

[Upnorth1]

Thanks for all the info!
Watching a number of videos on YouTube, I'm curious about the 7 mm PRC.
One could live with a 24" barrel in a platform of Sig S. Cross Sawtooth that has a folding stock. Easily attached to the backpack. At 62 I use trekking poles so I think it would work well for me.

 

[southpa]

How short can the barrel be before it's too short using silencer, and what weight should I keep the gun under? Thx.

I think its really tough to generalize the answers to your questions. Essentially everyone's idea of weight, barrel length, magnum cartridge selection etc. is privy to them.

I don't ever find recoil or "blast" an issue with a 300wm sized cartridge but my rifles aren't ultralight. Under 9 pounds is light to some and heavy to others. My dad's 22" winnie is an absolute joy to shoot braked. Put a spressor on it and I takes that joy away for me. But others don't mind it. I guess my point is I had to try it myself to figure it out.

For me a 22" around 9 pounds would be what I'd shoot for.

 

[PopNFresh]

Had a client with a Sauer 404 with a 300wm barrel a few years back, it got cut back to 18" if I remember and I just checked my notes it was sending a factory 180gr ttsx at 2775 with an ultra 9 on it

this last whitetail season I was using a 20" 300wsm and it was pushing a 170gr tipstrike at 2800 and that wasn't anywhere near a max load

everyone I know that's cut their mag down only regrets they didn't cut it a little shorter. cut it short and imagine it's a really long 30-06

 

[ducky]

Thanks for all the info!
Watching a number of videos on YouTube, I'm curious about the 7 mm PRC.
One could live with a 24" barrel in a platform of Sig S. Cross Sawtooth that has a folding stock. Easily attached to the backpack. At 62 I use trekking poles so I think it would work well for me.

I'm not saying to not get the 7 PRC, but there had been some disappointment with that round as well on YouTube. Factory Hornady ammunition not as fast as advertised, recoil in light rifles, and the carbon ring that builds up quickly in the chamber leading to pressure signs. As long as you know what to expect with the cartridge, I doubt you'll be disappointed with the 7 PRC.

I use trekking poles as well, but am only 52. I have a leg injury that the extra stability they provide is welcome. However, I'm not a fan of carrying the rifle on my backpack out of reach or unable to get out without taking off my pack. If you're packing in before season it's okay attached to the back of your pack.

I'm a bigger fan of the Kifaru Universal Gun Bearer. It keeps the rifle attached to your pack, but where you can easily access your rifle without having to remove your pack. Attaching to you hip belt and shoulder strap.

 

[Cajun LR Rookie]

I don't think terminal performance is the issue (say for example, an elk at 700). It'll die quick if you hit it in the right place. So no, terminal performance is not a big variable between a 20 and a 22" tube. What matters most is external ballistics. At "long range" your biggest variable, which is always partially an unknown, is wind. Higher speed and better BC reduce your margin of error while making a wind call. While no slouch, the 300 WSM isn't the world's best long range hunting cartridge. If that's your sole aim, you'd be better off with a giant 300 (think Norma AI with a 245 gr.) or a hot 7mm. The 300 WSM will do it, but I'll take the speed advantage that a few more inches of barrel offer IF your intention is take game >500 yards.

 

[Cajun LR Rookie]

I thought the 300 WSM had the 1000 yd record ?

 

[shootist7]

Just because, might load up some of the Barnes 110gr TTSX to see how accurate they are in my 1:9.25. Use is NE WI deer where 100 yards is a long shot on my property (very thick cedar swaps and mostly dead green ash bordered on 3 sides by huge ag...