21" 300 Win Mag anyone?

[TTundra]

So, I've always loved carbine length rifles, its a sickness. Recently followed another thread on here about a cut down 375H&H, 22" from 24". Now, I have a 700 in 300 Win with a 22" Krieger heavy palma that is a laser and has never complained, but alas, it still feels too long for some down and dirty stalking...

So, this project came about, TC Encore frame, 26" TC 300 Win barrel, cut down and re-crowned to 21". Why 21", (odd number) A friend did a barrel cut down test and he found that 22" was optimal for a short barrel 300 and since I already have a 22" barrel, I wanted a little shorter, so 21" it was. Overall length on the rifle comes to 35.5", about 8-9" shorter than a 700 with a 24"-26" barrel. This thing makes a sweet pack rifle. Best part is, first shots with Factory Federal 190 Gold has averages at ~2775, with a few groups at ~2800+. Very excited to work up a few loads and hoping to get it back up to 2900+.

Some may say this muzzle flash is killer, but honestly, its not at all. Recoil? Flex stock really does tame it down, but I'm a fan of bigger bores anyway so its never bothered me.

I'm excited to take this honey out in the field next month. Leupold 2.5-8x36mm en route.

 

[allivak]

wow thats awesome. very nice

 

[jogar80]

It's nice, for sure. I just think, at the velocity you're getting with a 21" barrel, may as well stick with a .308 or 30.06.

 

[TTundra]

That tends to be the first thought, getting similar ballistics out of a non magnum, lighter cartridge, etc. However, my intention for this rifle is to be a workhorse with stopping power, and this will be putting out quite a bit more lbs than a 308, 30-06, etc.

I might also throw a fixed 35X Leupy on there and see what my load development can do at 1000 yards. And when you have 300 Win brass, its good to use it.

 

[jogar80]

And when you have 300 Win brass, its good to use it.

Ahhh.....well, now THAT part makes sense to me..LOL

 

[H&Hhunter]

The new definition of the Eargasplitinloudenboomer!!

 

[jmr40]

It's nice, for sure. I just think, at the velocity you're getting with a 21" barrel, may as well stick with a .308 or 30.06.

He should be able to get at least 2900 fps with 180's from a 21" barrel, maybe 2950.

I've seen some hot 30-06 loads that would get 2850 from a 24" barrel, but most are in the 2700-2750 fps range. A 308 with 180's is in the 2650 fps range.

It'll be louder, but it'll still easily beat 30-06 or 308 speeds.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I have 26" .260 Rem, 26" .308 Win, 26" 7mm Rem Mag and 24" .300WSM. If you buy a fast caliber magnum or long distance caliber, why get rid of the fast? I am curious, mellow?

Harry

 

[adcoch1]

Wow that is a pretty little pack rifle! I am also addicted to carbines, I would love one like this but in 338 win.

 

[rbernie]

It's nice, for sure. I just think, at the velocity you're getting with a 21" barrel, may as well stick with a .308 or 30.06.

Neither will push a 190gr bullet at better than 2750fps out of a 21" barrel, methinks....

 

[Gtscotty]

I get right at 2800 fps with 180 SGKs with .5 gr under max in my 22in 30-06. If he gets 2900 fps with 190s in his 300, that will be a step up from what could probably safely be done with a 21in '06.

 

[jogar80]

He should be able to get at least 2900 fps with 180's from a 21" barrel, maybe 2950.

I've seen some hot 30-06 loads that would get 2850 from a 24" barrel, but most are in the 2700-2750 fps range. A 308 with 180's is in the 2650 fps range.

It'll be louder, but it'll still easily beat 30-06 or 308 speeds.

I know neither the .308 nor 30.06 can match it. It's just that to me, the performance difference is not substantial enough to justify the setup. But like the OP said, he already had .300win brass...... Reason enough for a new rifle, lol.

 

[TTundra]

Little update:

Weight of rifle without optics is 5.9 lbs, looking like just under 7 lbs with optics, base, rings. (keep in mind this rifle has a heavy barrel) Loving it even better for carrying around in the bush. Between the weight and the shorter length, this guy will make me a happier hunter.

Cooked up some loads with H1000 and will be trying them out tonight. 190's and 200's. I think Ill break 2900 easy with 190 and 2800 with the 200's on this first load. We'll see tonight.

Still, this boy packs a faster and much harder punch than a 308 and is a hoot to shoot.

 

[RevJim]

For sheer stopping power I bet you could work up a stomper of a load with the Woodleigh 240gr and slow powder! I got 2400 out the one made for the '06 velocity and a 24" Mod 700 30-06. Of course, you would have to keep it under 2400 or it would likely come apart. Woodleigh does make a 200gr Protected Point for the 300 wm, 2900 is its limit. Heck, 200 Nosler would be awesome too, good luck to you.

 

[Orcon]

Have you ever heard of the .338 Federal?

 

[TTundra]

Have you ever heard of the .338 Federal?

Only have a fraction of the offerings in bullets compared to 30 cal offerings.

 

[Orcon]

Only have a fraction of the offerings in bullets compared to 30 cal offerings.

Fair enough.

 

[gamestalker]

I'm a fan of achievable, and as well typical velocities with cartridges that are known for their magnum potential.

I load for two different 300 WM's, one's a Rem 700 26" barrel. 180's scream at better than 3100 fps, gerat long range elk gun. The other is a 24", it shoots the same load at just a tad slower, but still makes good for long shots on big game.

So for me, I would feel it wrong to diminish the awesome external ballistic potential of such great magnum cartridges, and those capable of 3000 fps + performance with a standard production length barrel. I start to feel under barreled when it is shorter than 24".

GS

 

[TTundra]

Update from the range:

1. I made no friends firing this rifle at the indoor range.

2. Good results below


190 gr- 3 load workups (don't have book in front of me now) Best average was 2924. Nothing really Hot rodded, so maybe a little more room

200 gr.- 2 loads shot, better group average was 2810. Little bit more variance on this one, so I'll be doing a few more loads.

But, the kicker was the 180's. 180 partitions, which is what I'll use as my hunting load, 2976 average best load. These guys were loaded up, not much more I can do, but I'll take that to the bank.