300 win mag

[merv444]

Looking to buy a new bbl. maybe in 300 win mag (want 30 cal.) for my encore handgun and want one that has 400 yd.range for deer.Can anyone help with velocities I can expect with maybe 150 to 165 grain bullets(I like nosler BT).I reload and shoot in IHMSA so used to shooting long ranges,and used to recoil now shoot a 444 marlin in 10" bbl.

Thanks for the replies

[Redhawk1]

Figure about 40 to 50 fps loss of velocity for each inch. If you got 3100 fps from a 22 inch barrel you will be at about 2750 fps with a 15 inch barrel.  Just a guess. Hope this helps.

[xphunter]

Know a couple guys on another site that use the 300 WM in the Encore but don't remember the MV's.  I think they were using barrel lengths from 16-17 inches.
A 30-06 will get you to 400 yards but for better LT performance I would personally avoid the magnum head size and go with an 06 Improved.

[GatorTC]

 
I have a 300WinMag that is 15-1/4" long with an internal machined in brake. 
[url][http://brooker16.com/Contender/300WM150-1.jpg/url]


A lot of fun, but still need to work on accuracy!

[merv444]

Thanks gator tc.How long have you had the 300 and have you made a kill with it yet?Is this a max load in yours?What kind of scope I'm looking at the Burris 3x12 plex.Might as well get a scope to match gun potential to may of thinking anyway.

[GatorTC]

   Working crazy hours!
I have had the barrel for 2-1/2 years.  bought as a 26" Heavy barrel rifle and used it like that for aqbout a year.  Sent it to Mike Bellm for the brake and have shot it for about four hundred rounds.  Have shot mostly nosle Ballistic tips in it.  Have tried 125g, 150g and 180 Accubonds.  Acuubonds are pricey.  Sierra matchking 190's shot well too.  The only thing we have shot with it yet has been a large hog at around 125 yards with the 150Nosler BT.  Need a heavier bullet for hogs!!  I use an older burris 3x9 pistol scope now.

[merv444]

Nice group.Nice looking gun.think i've about made up my mind on the 300 win mag my go with 16" bbl.though and brake,unless someone can bring something better to table and it don'nt look like it.

[southern utah]

I went thru all this a few years back. I ended up with a  Virgin Valley 16 1/4 SS in 308 win. Not that much less velocity and I didn't want  brake noise during hunting. same taper as factoryheavy barrel and wears a rifle forearm with hanger bar. the 308 as I have been told was developed for a 18 inch barrel and doesn't lose much over a rifle. The 16 1/4 barrel allows me to use the rifle buttstock and rifle scope. the one big factor was the NO muzzle brake. I had one hunting rifle in 30-06 with brake and only took it hunting once and will never use  hunting again.

Did a little checking today on the 300 WM. Close friend who is a top 10 in the nation benchrest shooter gave me a few answers. All magnum bullets use a slow burning power and need all the barrel they can get to get complete powder burn and high velocities. He tried some years ago down to 22' an found a sizable velocity loss. Also a reduction in powder charge made an even worse velociety often less than the 308. He said that the 308 is still used up to 600 yards in compotition. The recoil between the 300wm to 308 is not worth the few hundred feet per second. Also the muzzle blast from a pistol barrel with a muzzle brake is not worth the hearing loss even with hearing protecton. Sure there will  be those that will go for the 300wn but......is it worth it.