Opinions on barrel length please

[huntoregon]

I have a little money burning a hole in my pocket and I want to re-barrel a rifle. The rifle is a Vanguard 2 300 Win. I have already set my mind on keeping the 300wm and having Bartlein make me a 5R 1:10 twist barrel but I cant decide on length.

1st option is 26"
2nd is 24" with a muzzle brake
3rd is 24" no brake-don't really see this happening

I will be hunting in Oregon and Idaho, lots of walking and hiking. I am pretty new to all this so I would love opinions. I have never modified a hunting rifle so I don't know the pros or cons to situations you guys might have.

 

[Edd]

My Opinion is......

If I was building a 300Win Mag, I would use a 24" long barrel with a 9" twist.

 

[FearNoWind]

What do you gain with the shorter barrel?
Two inches is likely to lighten the load by about 8 ounces .... increase barrel flip (muzzle jump) .... decrease muzzle velocity ....

 

[Edd]

What do you gain with the shorter barrel?
Two inches is likely to lighten the load by about 8 ounces .... increase barrel flip .... decrease muzzle velocity ....

Tell us more about barrel flip.

 

[TonyQ]

I would do a 30" barrel with a brake. That should have you sending 215 Bergers around 3000 fps.

 

[huntoregon]

I think 30" with a brake would be a little too much to be packing around. I don't even like the idea of a 26" with a brake.

 

[Edd]

What barrel contour are you going to use?

 

[huntoregon]

Bartlein #3

 

[TonyQ]

With a 24" barrel and a 180gr bullet you maxing out around 650yrds for elk. With a 30" and 215gr you with good till 1050yrds at 5000ft alt. I going to up grade my barrel also I have a 26" with a brake and no problem packing anywhere. I wil be getting a 30" with a brake for my Weatherby I should be pushing 230 bergers 3100fps.

 

[Rick Richard]

26 inch with Muzzle Break. I have no problems with this length while packing around the mountains or in the woods for Whitetail.

 

[Edd]

Bartlein #3

I would want a larger muzzle diameter for a 30 caliber with a brake.

 

[velvetant]

The 300WM is a great western rifle cartridge
I would go 26"
no brake

 

[ohiohunter]

If weight and handling are of no issue I would go 26"+, if you want to save a little weight and hit less limbs while shouldered 24".

I am currently building a 24 maybe 25" 300wm myself. I plan to shoot 215s.

 

[huntoregon]

I have been shooting junk factory ammo 180grn bullets. After reading this forum I need to get into reloading with some good bullets. Powder is near impossible to buy around me though.