Another stupid rebarrel question

WestCoastGhost

WestCoastGhost

“Anything accurate makes me tick”
Minuteman
Sep 2, 2020
36
11
#1
Howdy SnipersHide, thanks for always answering my questions no matter how stupid they be. I have another noob question. I am wondering if it is possible to rebarrel my 300 Win Mag to the lightest cartridge possible for that bolt face (in terms of recoil) right now from what I have read that would be a 257 weatherby.

I know the most logical thing to do would be sell the 300 and get something else. And normally I would, but-this 300 was a gift from a dear friend of mine, he custom cerakoted it himself just for me, and I would rather just let the rifle kick my butt than sell it.

After reading around I have seen that some people simply rebarrel to a different caliber. So my question is- how feasible is this? And is there a caliber that would kick less than the 257? It seems like thats the baby in the long action magnum group.

Any help is appreciated! Thank you!
 
#2
Do you reload? If so, you can always download the 300. Otherwise you could also have a barrel chambered in a short mag (6.5 prc, 270wsm, something along those lines). Otherwise, the .240 Weatherby shoots the lightest projectiles of any magnum that I’ve found (6mm).
 
#3
I do reload! I should just say that I have recently started reloading. I am building some down loaded 300s right now. Would Rebarreling and rechambering be a lot more work than rebarreling for a different caliber?

From what I read so far- going to a 257 weatherby would be as simple as swapping barrels. If its that easy for say the 6.5 PRC then I would definitely like to try that, my buddies rave about how the 6.5 PRC is the king (in their eyes)
 
#5
WestCoastGhost said:
I do reload! I should just say that I have recently started reloading. I am building some down loaded 300s right now. Would Rebarreling and rechambering be a lot more work than rebarreling for a different caliber?

From what I read so far- going to a 257 weatherby would be as simple as swapping barrels. If its that easy for say the 6.5 PRC then I would definitely like to try that, my buddies rave about how the 6.5 PRC is the king (in their eyes)
Click to expand...
When rebarreling for a new caliber, the most important dimension the case head. Most magnums share the same case head diameter, so putting a 6.5 prc barrel on a 300 min mag would be a simple barrel swap, as would any of the WSM’s or RSAUM’s for that matter. After some quick research, 257 Weatherby is the smallest Weatherby that would be a direct swap.
 
#8
The 257 Wby is an awesome varmint/hunting round but is not suitable for high volume shooting, unless you enjoy re-barreling frequently. Also, the newer high BC .257 bullets require a faster than default 257 Wby twist. Finally, the 257 Wby has the typical longer-than-usual Wby freebore, so you'll want to research that and specify a freebore more appropriate for the bullets you intend to shoot.
 
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#9
I don't know man... Maybe just keep it as is and relegate it to mostly safe queen status. That retains the sentimental value. Then save up and go buy yourself something more appropriate to your actual needs. Rebarreling to a caliber based upon the need to retain the bolt face just seems like an exercise in futility unless it happens to really meet your needs and it sounds like it doesn't.

Maybe someday you'll have an excuse to use the 300 anyway. That's a pretty versatile caliber and you might find it is not as bad as you thought as you get more into shooting it.
 
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#10
Bandit320 said:
is your barrel threaded? A good muzzle brake can do wonders. They make clamp on brakes for non threaded barrels and work well also.

Mike
Click to expand...

Alas my barrel is not threaded and is 24".
The Kahntrol muzzle break has definitely caught my eye. I see some benefits there- I wont have to switch all my reloading dies to a new size AND its a simple bolt on. That is a definite option for me! Thank you for the great suggestion. If you know of any other clamp ons that might be superior to the kahntrol let me know!
 
#11
mensajd said:
The 257 Wby is an awesome varmint/hunting round but is not suitable for high volume shooting, unless you enjoy re-barreling frequently. Also, the newer high BC .257 bullets require a faster than default 257 Wby twist. Finally, the 257 Wby has the typical longer-than-usual Wby freebore, so you'll want to research that and specify a freebore more appropriate for the bullets you intend to shoot.
Click to expand...


This is good for me to know, I have not shot more than 100 rounds through my rifle yet, but in part is because it is such a bear! I would like to shoot more for sure just to get better at the skill of doing so. Perhaps the 6.5 PRC will be the way to go over the 257 Wby- if the barrel life is better.
 
#12
cliffy110 said:
I don't know man... Maybe just keep it as is and relegate it to mostly safe queen status. That retains the sentimental value. Then save up and go buy yourself something more appropriate to your actual needs. Rebarreling to a caliber based upon the need to retain the bolt face just seems like an exercise in futility unless it happens to really meet your needs and it sounds like it doesn't.

Maybe someday you'll have an excuse to use the 300 anyway. That's a pretty versatile caliber and you might find it is not as bad as you thought as you get more into shooting it.
Click to expand...

That is sort of the boat im sitting in at the moment. I have a baby on the way so saving up might not be an option and I was hoping for a somewhat low cost (under a rifle price) solution to this but if its not in the cards its not in the cards. I would hate to be a guy that forces a bad idea.

Everyone on this forum offers such good help. I thought I'd cast this blob out there and see what solutions are possible :D
 
#14
WestCoastGhost said:
Alas my barrel is not threaded and is 24".
The Kahntrol muzzle break has definitely caught my eye. I see some benefits there- I wont have to switch all my reloading dies to a new size AND its a simple bolt on. That is a definite option for me! Thank you for the great suggestion. If you know of any other clamp ons that might be superior to the kahntrol let me know!
Click to expand...

I used a Witt brake on my 300 WM before I put a new barrel on. You give them measurements on your barrel diameter and they machine it to fit. Very secure and quite effective.

Mike

Clamp-Ons - Witt Machine

Clamp on adapters for unthreaded barrels. Threaded adapters to allow quality muzzle devices to be attached to your unthreaded barrel.
www.wittmachine.net
 
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#16
Try the limbsaver pad from Pacmyer (I can never spell it). Much more spongy. Also try a slip on recoil pad (one you wear).

Yeah 300 WM is stout, but not un-manageable. I bet double pads solves it. I did that very same thing with my light hunting rifle. Solved that problem right quick. The Limbsaver is enough by itself--also if you live in colder climate--winter (think fluffy coat) helps. I live in TX so its t-shirt. no joy.

You can also have the barrel threaded and put on a brake-get a re-coat to to keep the looks the same. Still cheaper than a new barrel.
 
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#17
300wm is a big cartridge. A brake or suppressor helps a lot but I’m not a huge fan of brakes due to concussion. The Limbsavers are great and I’ve heard the ‘Air’ version of them is even a step above the normal ones. It will help a lot.

I shot my buddies suppressed lightweight 300wm and it was easier to shoot than my .308 AR-10 (overgassed for that round)
 
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#20
DocRDS said:
Try the limbsaver pad from Pacmyer (I can never spell it). Much more spongy. Also try a slip on recoil pad (one you wear).

Yeah 300 WM is stout, but not un-manageable. I bet double pads solves it. I did that very same thing with my light hunting rifle. Solved that problem right quick. The Limbsaver is enough by itself--also if you live in colder climate--winter (think fluffy coat) helps. I live in TX so its t-shirt. no joy.

You can also have the barrel threaded and put on a brake-get a re-coat to to keep the looks the same. Still cheaper than a new barrel.
Click to expand...


youre 100% right- sort of looking at cost management now- I would like to save a few $$ if possible. :D
 
#21
WestCoastGhost said:
Howdy SnipersHide, thanks for always answering my questions no matter how stupid they be. I have another noob question. I am wondering if it is possible to rebarrel my 300 Win Mag to the lightest cartridge possible for that bolt face (in terms of recoil) right now from what I have read that would be a 257 weatherby.

I know the most logical thing to do would be sell the 300 and get something else. And normally I would, but-this 300 was a gift from a dear friend of mine, he custom cerakoted it himself just for me, and I would rather just let the rifle kick my butt than sell it.

After reading around I have seen that some people simply rebarrel to a different caliber. So my question is- how feasible is this? And is there a caliber that would kick less than the 257? It seems like thats the baby in the long action magnum group.

Any help is appreciated! Thank you!
Click to expand...

My thoughts? Sell the rifle, get something else.

The reasons?

My guess is if you hate shooting it, you haven't shot out the barrel and someone will buy it from you.

A short action will likely offer much better options for you in terms of caliber without feeling like you have to because you have a long action and a certain bolt face.

Less powder, greater ammo availability, lower recoil, and greater barrel life are all arguments for selling and getting either a short action or short magnum.

For the cost of rebarreling you can likely pick up a used gun of your choice.
 
#23
WestCoastGhost said:
Does anyone have any suggestions for a good barrel for a 6.5 PRC conversion?
Click to expand...
Bartlein, Krieger, Proof, Brux, Shillen, Lila, I could keep going but I think you get the idea. There’s plenty of quality barrel manufacturers. I believe any of them will need to be installed by a gunsmith, given it’s a factory Weatherby action.
 
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#24
SonoranPrecision said:
Bartlein, Krieger, Proof, Brux, Shillen, Lila, I could keep going but I think you get the idea. There’s plenty of quality barrel manufacturers. I believe any of them will need to be installed by a gunsmith, given it’s a factory Weatherby action.
Click to expand...


Thanks again for the great info :D My plan as of now is to go clamp on break - and once i shoot this barrel out - convert this bad boy to 6.5 PRC
 
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#25
So - I’ve thought long and hard about it and am going to start putting some acorns away for the PRC barrel conversion. New stock with pachmeyer decelerations pad comes in tomorrow. I shot it Sunday and had a blast- even with the recoil, it doesn’t beat me up- I just need practice to be more effective with it. I have a 30 year old 270 that I shoot ultra tight groups with, the win mag is next.

with that being said-when I order my PRC chambered 6.5 barrel- would you guys recommend getting the Howage barrel Nut system or just getting it standard thread?
 
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