300 WBY

[elkhorn400]

I have a Winchester model 70, 300WBY cal. That only has a 24 in barrel. I want to replace it with a 26in. Hart or Krieger? Should I go with 300rum or stay with the 300WBY? Can the gun smith eliminate the free bore to a more conventional amount for the 300WBY?

[Michael Eichele]

If I had to choose between those 2 I would go Hart. I prefer Lilja though.

As far as caliber...what are you planning to do with it??

Either the 300 wby or RUM are fine calibers, just depends on how much "punch" you want. The 300 wby barrel life is longer, 300 RUM hits harder.

Yes a smith can make your new barrel have as much or little freebore you wish.

[Black Diamond 408]

A gunsmith certainly can eliminate the freebore. It would take a custom ground reamer for the job. If you remove the Freebore, your chamber pressure will rise. Factory shells may not fit the gun, (bullet will crush into the riflings) cause exsesive pressure build up. You will see an increase in accuracy over a standard chamber. But the whole theory with WBY was to shoot fast, more knock down power. I had a chance to visit with Roy WBY in the late 70's. Seemed the justification was to drive a lighter bullet as fast as you could. Use a heavier bullet and slow it down, your accuracy will be the payback. High BC bullets don't have them little parachutes that come out.

Just my .02 little experience too.

[REM 700]

I have 3 300 weatherbys 2 with freebore and 1 without. I had pac-nor put on a 26 inch 12 twist barrel with no freebore throated to a dummy round. After talking to Ed Shilen and then Chris at pac-nor i went without freebore as they both told me it can cut accurate barrel life in half and that i would lose only 100 fps. They were right about the velocity loss. If i were to build another it would be without freebore. http://www.shilen.com/#question3

[elkhorn400]

Just to let you know this is a hunting rifle. I use it for deer, elk and some times antelope. I like a gun that will reach out and touch them.

[Varmint Hunter]

Unless you intend on shooting a heavy rifle, with heavy bullets, at extreme range, I'd prefer the 300Wby.

While the 300RUM has the edge in case capacity (horsepower) it produces plenty of recoil, consumes more powder and will exhibit shorter throat life.

The 300RUM would also benefit from a longer barrel than 26" when shooting the heavy bullets. Looong barrels can be a real pain in the neck when brought afield.

Just my 2 cents

[BountyHunter]

Go with a smith that has a min SAAMI 300 weatherby reamer with min freebore.

Any factory will fit that chamber.
Will not regret it.

BH