Ideal twist rate for .300WSM 168gr

[Hoogs]

Hi,

I'm just about to order a new barrel for my Remington 700 and have it re chambered from .308 to .300 WSM and was hoping someone could give me some advice on ideal twist rate?

I am looking at shooting 168gr Barnes Tipped TSX projectiles, and had originally planned to go for a 1:10 twist... However I have since been advised that twist is probably a tad savage for a lighter weight bullet.

Does anyone have any experience with these projectiles or any advice?

Cheers

 

[LoonWulf]

while 1-10 might not be ideal its certainly not going to cause any issues with a 168. While ive never used the x bullets ive run everything from 125s thru 208s out of my 1-10 .300wm with good results all the way around.

 

[GJgo]

I'd go 1:12. However, you've got other things to worry about if you're going to stick a 300 WSM barrel on a 308 action.

 

[Hoogs]

what other major issues am I gonna face?

I got an AI magazine the .300 wsm feeds from, and got my gunsmith refacing my bolt and truing/accurising my action... Essentially it's just a Rem 700 Short Action

 

[LoonWulf]

thats realy all that needs doing as long as your smith can get the gun to feed reliably your all well and good.

 

[Hoogs]

Thanks mate

 

[MCMXI]

My Remington 700 Alaskan Ti chambered in .300WSM with a 1:10 twist barrel seems to work just fine with 168gr SMK bullets. 5 shots into 0.632 MOA at 100 yards prone off a rest and no rear bag is good enough for a hunting rifle. I did adjust the zero after shooting this group during load development.

 

[NCsmitty]

A 1in10" twist has been shown to stabilize bullets from 110gr to 220gr in the 30'06 for the last 100 years.

The 300 WSM does not bring anything new to the table, and discussions here at THR have shown that the faster twists in many long range calibers do not affect the shorter, lighter bullets appreciably and gives the barrel the ability to stabilize the heavier, longer match bullets that are in vogue today.

Simply put, going to a 1in12" twist may limit your bullet choices.

I wish you luck in the endeavor, Hoogs.




NCsmitty

 

[desidog]

I find this one interesting, because i had thought that physically and financially a 308>300wsm conversion can't be done right....but my experience is with Mauser and m-70 type actions, so perhaps the Remington action is more accommodating? Might this be because of the push-feed (vs CRF?) and the small extractor?

Anything's possible for a price, and i thought that rebarreling, refacing the bolt, messing with the feed-rails/ramp etc. would run you more loot than just buying a nice used gun to begin with, unless you're going for something unique/non-OEM.

I'd like to hear more on the specifics of the job. That said, I have both 308 and 300wsm rifles; and i find the 308 much more enjoyable to shoot; the 2 300wsm's i have are light and kick like mules. It's about 30% more case-capacity for about 10% more ooomph...if i were to make changes with one of my rifles, i think i'd be going from 300wsm to 308...it is so hard to find a nice left handed bolt 308 these days, and ammo's easier to find and cheaper if you don't reload.

 

[Hoogs]

Hey Desi,

I was warned that the biggest battle I was gonna face with the project was getting the .300 wsm to feed. I have found an AI .308 magazine modified to feed .300 wsm (8rd as opposed to 10) so hopefully with a bit of tweaking, all should be good...

it will be built into a MAK Tube Gun stock...

 

[Maverick223]

Just about any twist will stabilize the 168gr. projectiles (most typical twists are 1:12, 1:10, and 1:11). I would caution against the .300WSM for several reasons. First you WILL encounter feeding problems because of the straight case (some factory rifles even exhibit this phenomena). Also you are looking at spending quite a bit of loot because the bolt face is different (unless you have a magnum chambered M-700) in addition to the cost of the new barrel and gunsmithing. Finally you are adding quite a bit of recoil for very little gain in effectiveness, especially if you are looking to extend your range (especially considering that the 168gr. doesn't have the best BC). Perhaps a re-chamber to .30-06 would be more feasible and effective?...or just leave it .308Win.?

 

[MCMXI]

I would caution against the .300WSM for several reasons. First you WILL encounter feeding problems because of the straight case (some factory rifles even exhibit this phenomena). Also you are looking at spending quite a bit of loot because the bolt face is different (unless you have a magnum chambered M-700) in addition to the cost of the new barrel and gunsmithing. Finally you are adding quite a bit of recoil for very little gain in effectiveness, especially if you are looking to extend your range (especially considering that the 168gr. doesn't have the best BC). Perhaps a re-chamber to .30-06 would be more feasible and effective?...or just leave it .308Win.?

Mav, my .300 WSM has never had feeding issues either in factory form or from AI magazines. Second, a vastly superior bolt can be purchased from PT&G for just over $100. This is a one-piece bolt and all three of my 700s now have PT&G bolts with Sako extractors. Third, the .300 WSM is much, much closer to the .300 Win Mag in performance than it is to the .308 Win so I don't agree with the "very little gain in effectiveness" comment. In addition, who says you have to limit yourself to the 168gr bullet. The 175gr, 178gr, 180gr, 190gr and 208gr bullets are all viable and effective. In fact, the 190gr bullet is now my favorite. Also, how about the 155gr Lapua Scenar for extreme long-range paper punching.

Hoogs, I modified a couple of 5-round AI mags for my .300 WSM. I removed the front plate and widened the feed lips slightly. No issues at all.

 

[Maverick223]

1858, I am not saying that it can't be done, only that it will require work. You had to modify your feed lips to get it to feed...this is what I am referring to. It can be corrected, but it will require some time and most likely gunsmithing fees (unless you perform the work yourself). Same with the bolt, it will require time and money.

WRT the effectiveness, all I am saying is that a .300WM shooting a 168gr. bullet doesn't give you appreciable gains over a .308Win. (which is far from my favorite cartridge). Other bullets can be used, but you want a fast twist to stabilize those heavier projectiles, not something that will limit you to lighter bullets just to gain a small amount of velocity (with added powder capacity from the lower pressure). I shoot .300WM (pretty darn close to the .300WSM) long range, I like it...but I wouldn't limit myself to a slow twist rate and light projectiles (FWIW I use mostly 190gr. SMKs, but also the 208gr. A-Max. and 240SMK)

 

[MCMXI]

Other bullets can be used, but you want a fast twist to stabilize those heavier projectiles, not something that will limit you to lighter bullets just to gain a small amount of velocity (with added powder capacity from the lower pressure). I shoot .300WM (pretty darn close to the .300WSM) long range, I like it...but I wouldn't limit myself to a slow twist rate and light projectiles (FWIW I use mostly 190gr. SMKs, but also the 208gr. A-Max. and 240SMK)

I agree with you here for sure but bending magazine feed lips is about as simple as it gets. The bolt requires a little more work but if you buy the bolt BEFORE your gunsmith cuts the chamber it'll save you A LOT of money and time.

 

[Maverick223]

I agree with you here for sure but bending magazine feed lips is about as simple as it gets.

I agree, but it isn't always that simple. I am not trying to discourage the idea, just want the OP to be informed about the potential cost and work involved in such a project. It could very easily exceed the value of the rifle, and potentially be less costly to buy a new one in the desired chambering.

 

[Hoogs]

Thanks all for your advice,

My smithy will be refacing my standard bolt and fitting Sako extractor. 30-06 is outta the question due to not wanting to deviate from short action.

As far as the box goes... I have a "Accurate Magazines" professionally modified AI 10 round mag for it (8rd in 300WSM).

Recoil is not to much of an issue... Is going to be a fairly heavy toy when finished, and has a Roedale muzzle brake. (1st centrefire rifle was a 300 Win Mag back when I was 18)

Will let you know how it goes

(p.s... going for the 1:10 twist)

 

[Maverick223]

30-06 is outta the question due to not wanting to deviate from short action.

Of course [smacks forehead], don't know what I was thinking there. I guess I was thinking about a Win. Mag. which would inherently have to be a long action.

(p.s... going for the 1:10 twist)

Smart decision. I look forward to an update when everything is complete.