300 Wby - what would happen if I...

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rick_reno

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I have a 300 Wby Ultra light weight. It's light, but I'd like it lighter.
What would I give up if I have a couple of inches chopped off the barrel? I hunt in heavy timber (N. Idaho) and could use something "handier". I was also thinking of reducing the amount of free bore in it - developing a load for it I found it difficult to find where the bullet hit the lands. I'm not convinced I ever found it.
 
SFAIK, Weatherby's published data on velocities comes from 26" barrels. I'd guess that being an overbore case, the velocity loss per inch of barrel would be on the order of 80 to 100 ft/sec/in. (Everything I've ever read on the '06 sez around 75 ft/sec/in. The '06 case is only slightly overbore.)

But you'll gain db.

:D, Art
 
weatherby's were/are designed w/ freebore. this is mostly to help get the high velocities. most handloaders load to the lands for peak accuracy, so i don't think the freebore necessarily helps accuracy all that much.

as far as chopping the barrel down...you'll lose velocity, the rifle will get louder, and recoil will sharpen.

i guess i would reccomend trying to get a different rifle a little more suitable for your purposes. i think trying to make a hot-rod weatherby mag into a woods rifle really isn't going to end up being the desired end-product....

good luck!
 
Quick OT question.... is the 300 wby a worthwhile cartridge? I know nothing about it, but some websites call it the most versatile round ever.
 
what would happen if I...

You pose an interesting question. You could cut the barrel by
1.5" and still have .5" of barrel before getting into the fluted part.
This would save perhaps two oz. of heavy and give you 1.5" more handy and you wouldn't lose that many fps. You could get this done for 50 bucks or so.

You could have the barrel set back and re chambered for less freebore. Less freebore would mean that you really shouldn't run Roy's intended velocitys in your rifle. I have no idea as to the velocity loss but you should be able to work up a load. Cost for chamber work would be around 100 bucks if a special reamer is not needed to re cut the chamber with a shorter throat.

Messing around with this rifle would be kinda like messing around with a winning factory race car.

IMHO Leave her be and get yourself something like a Ruger #1 in 45 70 for your Northern Idaho hunts.
 
wquay-
the 300 weatherby produces some impressive ballistics, that's for sure. however, is it worthwhile? that depends... it is only a short step ahead of the 300 win mag, and though i don't know for sure, i think it is probably a short step behind the 300 ultra mag. as for most versatile, i think a strong case could be made for any cartridge starting w/ the 7mm rem mag on up to the 338 ultra mag...
 
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