Alright gents, time for a new custom long gun build... First .300 Win Mag I've built, so I've got some questions concerning barrel choices. I've settled on a Stiller TAC300 action and a Manners stock but wanted some input on barrel selection. Previously, I've gone with a Shilen or Kreiger and had good results, but all in .308. This is going to be a tactical build for use in a few competitions, etc. Based on performance in the .300 arena, what is the best barrel and twist rates to throw on the Stiller action? Thanks in advance for your input!
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Gunsmithing Custom Tactical 300 Win Mag build opinions!
- Thread starter Pagan4-1
- Start date
I don't think the action has anything to do with barrel brand or twist rate. That said, mine should be here soon from Mark at SAC. I had him do a Bartlein 1:10 twist mated to a Stiller TAC-300. I expect it will perform beautifully with all weights of projectiles.
I did a 300 win mag build last year and did a Rock Creek 1:10 on mine and I could shoot 168s and 208s. The other barrel I had was Bartlein 1:11.25 and I don't feel like you really need to stray into oddball twist rates to get the match performance you are after.
Depends how "far" far means to you.... I just built a Stiller TAC300 with a 27' Bartlein 1;9 5R twist. I like the faster twist for when I shoot in/through trans. range- It kicks up the stability factor way up. Remember there is no such thing as over stabilization.
I prefer a Mike Rock barrel. But those weren't available when my last 300 WinMag was built. I had to settle on a 1:10 26" Hart. It's been a real tack driver so far.
A friend I know and my Smith had the chance to sell me a Kreiger, or Bartlein in any contour I wanted. When I asked him his opinion he said Bartlein, even though it wouldn't have effected his wallet in anyway. You asked about barrel twist, so what type and grain of bullets would you like to shoot? If up to 180 some are fine with 1:11 twist. Me personally I would go with a 1:10 twist all day long. If you plan on shooting 210gr. bullets or in that area go 1:9.5. That is what I would do. I like speed for long heavy bullets. But others say their just fine with 1:11.7 with 175gr. bullets. Make your on wise decision. Do alittle research and educate yourself on optimum twist rates and remember VLD rounds require faster twists. You don't want no key holing at 1,000yds. Thanks, BullyDog
No finer commercial actions exist than the M70 CRF IMHO.
Last week set a new milestone for us. Some late nights, cussing, more cussing, and yet even more cussing were rewarded with some promising looking stuff. We shall see. . . .
Last week set a new milestone for us. Some late nights, cussing, more cussing, and yet even more cussing were rewarded with some promising looking stuff. We shall see. . . .
If you haven't read Bryan Litz book "Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting" Read it, Study it.... I reread and use it for a reference constantly. He is/was Berger's Chief ballistician and wrote the book on ballistics, literally. That book will change the way you shoot and answer most any question you can think of. I met him at Shot Show last year and what a great guy, took the time to talk to me and answer my questions even though he was so busy....
So many gunsmiths are great are stuck in the old school thinking, with all due respect. Twist is dictated by length not weight as I'm sure you know although they do often go hand in hand. High BC bullets are usually always longer so harder to stabilize thus a faster twist is needed.... You said it was a long gun build so I'm sure a high BC is what you'd shoot.
Good luck finding the correct/best info out there.
Stiller
So many gunsmiths are great are stuck in the old school thinking, with all due respect. Twist is dictated by length not weight as I'm sure you know although they do often go hand in hand. High BC bullets are usually always longer so harder to stabilize thus a faster twist is needed.... You said it was a long gun build so I'm sure a high BC is what you'd shoot.
Good luck finding the correct/best info out there.
Stiller
Since you are looking for something to use in matches you probably want to be able to mag feed, so if you can get any the 208 amax would be a good choice. Easy to load and relatively cheaper than most. The bthp shoots just as good and you can find those. Last time I shot both I think I was adjusting 2 clicks up 1/2 moa ffrom the amax to the bthp at 1k. 1 in 10 would do fine. Check out broughton barrels.
Brux is putting out some really hot barrels recently. Im a huge Krieger guy, but my last two barrels have been from Brux. 1:10 twist if you are going to shoot the heavier bullets. I have a 26in heavy varmint 1:10 on my winmag shooting the heavy bergers and AMAX, and it hammers
I have a Bartlein. It is a 26-inch 1:9 straight taper 5R with a Harrell 4-port brake. I shoot 240 grain Sierras at a bit under 2700 fps. Bartlein chambered it using their NSW reamer designed for Sierra 220s. The barrel is mounted on an old Remington long action, bedded into a McMillan A5 with Badger M5 bottom metal -- it has a magazine. Shooting from the magazine, it will shoot 0.5 to 0.6 MOA 5-shot groups at 100 all day with an occasional 0.4. I have one 0.3 group (but that was a fluke) and some 0.7s when I stopped paying attention to the wind. I have an 8-inch diameter 1/2-inch AR500 plate. Shooting prone at 500 meters, those long-ass bullets really bounce that plate around. I haven't tried it on my 6-inch plate yet. That barrel has about 900 rounds through it and it is still shooting. In my experience, every good round after 1,200 is a gift. I just found a place where I can put my 8-inch plate out past 1,000 meters and shoot at it. If I'm lucky, I might hit it once or twice. Its a 3-hour drive but I'm hoping for a bit of fun out there.
I have had a Schneider and several Harts on this gun. The Bartlein is the best of that bunch. I also own three Kreigers on other rifles. I have a Kreiger in 308 with a similar length and profile and it is also a shooter. When this barrel burns out, I will call both of those guys and take the first one who can deliver.
If you are looking at long range, I think you want heavy bullets. Heavy bullets are long so you need a tight twist. The 9-twist is right for those 240s, something else is probably good for 210 Bergers or 208 Amax. Settle on your bullet (or at least the general type and weight) and then talk to the barrel guys. They want you to be happy and they will give you good advice.
According to Brian Litz, those bullets are still going 1335 fps at 1400 yards. At that range, the up-click is about 40 MOA and the time of flight is about 2 seconds so I'm thinking that I could maybe hit a medium-sized building.
If you get a good barrel, the magic will be brass. I have some very good military brass with Winchester headstamps. I would be pleased to buy some more ... anyone? Bueller?
I have had a Schneider and several Harts on this gun. The Bartlein is the best of that bunch. I also own three Kreigers on other rifles. I have a Kreiger in 308 with a similar length and profile and it is also a shooter. When this barrel burns out, I will call both of those guys and take the first one who can deliver.
If you are looking at long range, I think you want heavy bullets. Heavy bullets are long so you need a tight twist. The 9-twist is right for those 240s, something else is probably good for 210 Bergers or 208 Amax. Settle on your bullet (or at least the general type and weight) and then talk to the barrel guys. They want you to be happy and they will give you good advice.
According to Brian Litz, those bullets are still going 1335 fps at 1400 yards. At that range, the up-click is about 40 MOA and the time of flight is about 2 seconds so I'm thinking that I could maybe hit a medium-sized building.
If you get a good barrel, the magic will be brass. I have some very good military brass with Winchester headstamps. I would be pleased to buy some more ... anyone? Bueller?
