Is a 24" barrel a waste of time for the 300WSM

I'm wanting a shorter barrel for the 300WSM I'm working on but wondering if I'm wasting my time with the 24" tube. Is it unreasonable to think one can reach 3000fps with a 175gr bullet with the 300WSM and a 24" barrel.

[LDO]

you should be able to reach 3000fps,it may just take fiddling with primer and powder combos.recently i have been working up loads for my friends 300wsm with a 24" tube and ran into all kinds pressure,i tried some diferent powders still pressure-decdided to switch primers from the 215m to the br-2 and pressure went away and velocity was where we wanted it.variances from rifle to rifle are the norm but with work im sure it can be done with minimal pressures-my-2-dave

[meichele]

It all depends on what you want to do with it. I like both 26" and 24" barrels. If you have to have the extra 40-75 FPS go with the 26" barrel. If you can live without it do the 24. I like 24" because they are shorter and stiffer. On the more negative side they offer more muzzle balst which I dont like for a variety of ballistic reasons. A 24" bbl with a brake will help solve this, but now you have an extra bit of length with the brake. For the 300 WSM a 24 or 26" barrel is going to offer alot of blast. You probably want a brake anyway.

I know a couple of shooters that get over 3000 FPS with the 175 SMK from a 24" barrel in their 300 WSM braked.

The nice thing about the 300 WSM is it is a very effecient case. Even with a 24" tube. For me a 24" tube would not be a complete waste of time, but if were going to build a 300 WSM I would be needeing somthing faster than I have now. I wouldnt mess around, I would go long and if I really didnt like it I could have it cut down to 24" [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Its hard to add 2" though!! Come to think of it I dont remember that being somthing the smith could do [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 01-21-2004: Message edited by: meichele ]

[dakotasin]

in my 24" 300 wsm, i get 3025 f/s w/ 180 sierras. i have taken this gun over 3100 f/s, but accuracy fell off...

i am using rl-19, win cases, federal mag primers, and 180 sierra gamekings. 3000 f/s shouldn't be a problem.

[Ol Bull]

dakotasin, what brand rifle are you useing? Rem, Win, etc? Thanks

[dakotasin]

this one represents my first ever winchester. before i got a chance to hunt w/ it, i picked up a win classic in 338... now that i had a chance to hunt 'em, no more winchesters! lol... oh well... needed to round out the rem collection a little.

[Brent]

With 73gr RL19 and 2.975" OAL, my Dad's getting 3270 in his 27" with the 178 A-Max, I damn well better get 3000 in the 24" I'm having done.

This load is safe in his, work up to it with caution in yours. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ 01-22-2004: Message edited by: Brent ]