Feeding WSM in a converted 308 family short action?

[ATH]

I'm coming up surprisingly blank on this one so I'll ask here since we have several smiths....

I want to build a long-range light carry rifle so I am using a Savage/Stevens action. I don't have it yet but already called Shilen and they assure me that a small shank 300WSM barrel from them is safe, so the cheapest way to acquire the action is a Stevens 200 in 308/243/7mm08. This would have a blind/box magazine.

I've build on Savage before but the one unknown is what mods may need to be made to feed 300WSM shells from a mag made to feed 308? I assume I may need a new follower (cheap), but will I have to modify the feed lips to work with the wider cases?

 

[mkg]

I've build on Savage before but the one unknown is what mods may need to be made to feed 300WSM shells from a mag made to feed 308? I assume I may need a new follower (cheap), but will I have to modify the feed lips to work with the wider cases?

ATH, I just checked my two model 12's, ( centerfeed 22-250 and 300WSM ) the followers look the same so that shouldn't be an issue.

Just one thought, why not build it on a long action (300 WM )? This would allow you to seat 208 / 210 grain bullets farther out ( saving case capacity ) and still mag feed. My 300WSM is a short action , when I tried the 208 A-max I couldn't get the velocity I wanted due to reduced case capacity. I'm currently running 185 VLD's and can still mag feed.

Mike

 

[ATH]

ATH, I just checked my two model 12's, ( centerfeed 22-250 and 300WSM ) the followers look the same so that shouldn't be an issue.

Just one thought, why not build it on a long action (300 WM )? This would allow you to seat 208 / 210 grain bullets farther out ( saving case capacity ) and still mag feed. My 300WSM is a short action , when I tried the 208 A-max I couldn't get the velocity I wanted due to reduced case capacity. I'm currently running 185 VLD's and can still mag feed.

Mike

You are correct, I could do that, but then I would just run the standard WM for which I already have components/dies. I know there is not a HUGE difference between a SA and LA but since this is meant to be a light carry gun I want to stick with a SA.

 

[geargrinder]

You are correct, I could do that, but then I would just run the standard WM for which I already have components/dies. I know there is not a HUGE difference between a SA and LA but since this is meant to be a light carry gun I want to stick with a SA.

But, you'd have a tough time seating a heavy VLD style bullets to the lands with a WM in a long action.

If you were using a short mag and the heavy bullets in a long action, you'd have plenty of room to hit the lands.

A centerfeed long action works real slick on the WSM's. I've built a few. The most current one switches between 7mm and 300wsm with the factory DBM.

 

[ATH]

But, you'd have a tough time seating a heavy VLD style bullets to the lands with a WM in a long action.

If you were using a short mag and the heavy bullets in a long action, you'd have plenty of room to hit the lands.

A centerfeed long action works real slick on the WSM's. I've built a few. The most current one switches between 7mm and 300wsm with the factory DBM.

However I hunt with 200gr Accubonds, not VLDs, and those have more than enough room in the mag. Once I have the gun I will determine max mag length and Shilen will throat the barrel to take advantage of whatever the mag can do. I appreciate the thought though.

 

[Auto-X Fil]

What's long-range for you anyway? In 300 WSM I haven't found a reason to switch to 200gr - mine likes 168gr BTs and 165gr AB, which are ballisticaly superior to 500-600yd anyway.

My model 16 take a pretty frickin' long round in the stock box. Without going VLD I can't imagine not getting enough capacity to get 2900+fps out of a 200gr AB.

Barrel length will be shorter on a carry gun which will limit your ability to use that case capacity anyway. 24", I assume?

I'll make some measurements of my .308 and 300 WSM model 16s this weekend and let you know if I find any key differences. This is a cool project, can't wait to see the finished product. My 300 is only 8.1lb with 4.5-14x40 VX-3 in Talley rings, so yours is probably going to be LIGHT!