What would be the optimal length of barrel for shooting sonic and subsonic loads. I am shooting 168gr up to 240gr bullets. I think a 1:7 or 1:8 would be a good twist rate. But is there any disadvantages or advantages in a shorter barrel. I would like to stay under 18 inches. This will be used on a bolt action savage and at no greater distance than 500 yd. This will be my fist time building a .300 bolt gun any info would be appreciated.
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Gunsmithing .300 fireball or whisper question
- Thread starter Loopm5
- Start date
Re: .300 fireball or whisper question
I've had good luck with 1:8 twist Mike Rock 5R barrels on the whisper for heavy subsonic bullets. For lighter bullets at higher velocities you can get by with a 1:10. Powder is pretty fast burning and in most cases reaches a full burn in under 16". The short barrel would obviously be lighter and stiffer and, depending on the contour, might balance better as well (especially with a suppressor). I don't think I've ever built a whisper over 18" to be honest. Most have been in the 16" range. I love the caliber.
Cecil Self
ArrowDynamics-PWS
I've had good luck with 1:8 twist Mike Rock 5R barrels on the whisper for heavy subsonic bullets. For lighter bullets at higher velocities you can get by with a 1:10. Powder is pretty fast burning and in most cases reaches a full burn in under 16". The short barrel would obviously be lighter and stiffer and, depending on the contour, might balance better as well (especially with a suppressor). I don't think I've ever built a whisper over 18" to be honest. Most have been in the 16" range. I love the caliber.
Cecil Self
ArrowDynamics-PWS
Re: .300 fireball or whisper question
10 1/2" is the way to go but to be legal with out a stamp 16"
10 1/2" is the way to go but to be legal with out a stamp 16"
Re: .300 fireball or whisper question
AKA-SPOOK has built several and quite knowledgeable about 300 Whisper . You could also check at Quarterbore forum - 300 Whisper section .
david
AKA-SPOOK has built several and quite knowledgeable about 300 Whisper . You could also check at Quarterbore forum - 300 Whisper section .
david
Re: .300 fireball or whisper question
I have built 2 on the stevens 200 action (exactly same as savage short action except no accutrigger). My first one was built with a pac-nor 1in7" twist 17" barrel and I used that to shoot 168gr. a-max at super sonic velocities--about 1700fps. I built another one because I needed to shoot 180gr. lead bullets (no jacket) so that one has a McGowen barrel 1in11" twist 20" barrel and is shot open sights for our local silhouette straight walled cartridge competition. I shoot them at 1900fps. We shoot up to 300 yards (and at that range open sights shots at the chicken target are not easy) nor is it easy knocking down buffalo's at 300yards (that buffalo steel target is HEAVY). I won with the second rifle. Both rifles are a blast to shoot. I shoot the first rifle with a scope and the second rifle with open sights.
I have built 2 on the stevens 200 action (exactly same as savage short action except no accutrigger). My first one was built with a pac-nor 1in7" twist 17" barrel and I used that to shoot 168gr. a-max at super sonic velocities--about 1700fps. I built another one because I needed to shoot 180gr. lead bullets (no jacket) so that one has a McGowen barrel 1in11" twist 20" barrel and is shot open sights for our local silhouette straight walled cartridge competition. I shoot them at 1900fps. We shoot up to 300 yards (and at that range open sights shots at the chicken target are not easy) nor is it easy knocking down buffalo's at 300yards (that buffalo steel target is HEAVY). I won with the second rifle. Both rifles are a blast to shoot. I shoot the first rifle with a scope and the second rifle with open sights.
