Building a .300 Whisper

[Game_Stalker]

Okay, folks. I'm piecing together a bolt action rifle in .300 Whisper. The barrel will be from SSK, but I'm not sure which action to build it on. I know there's a lot of options out there, so I'm curious of what you prefer. I'm just looking for someplace to start comparing actions.

[Graybeard]

To me any full size action is just too danged big for the rounds like the .300 Whisper or any round on the .223 or .221 case. Over the years several companies have made miniature actions just perfect for such rounds. Kimber comes to mind, there are some mini mausers as well. Mark X imported them awhile and I think so did CZ and the new Remington rifle may be using that same action. Way back Sako imported some really nice small action rifles for them. They might still be doing so. The Ruger  77 Hornet action might be worth a look as well.

[Cknerr]

check what the local wildlife people and law enforcement types do when they see something like you are talking about. They tend to automatically think your are up to no good and will make life miserable. I made the mistake once of putting together such a rifle for a customer. It sits in some LE's office confiscation locker, never to be seen again I'm sure. Don't intend on inflicting that someone again. BTW, the rifle by law has to say what it is on a clearly viewable place. (up to you what a wildcat is called)

Please keep this in consideration.

Now for the adventurous types....

good luck,
Chris

[Robert]

In my opinion, there are a lot more diverse cartridges to use for 'Whisper' type chamberings.  For instance....what first comes to mind is the 7.62x39.  I have owned a JDJ Whisper before.  I traded it for something else, then I got a NEF in 7.62x39 for 'Whisper' experiments.  My SKS with light loads and large cast bullets was a lot quieter than the SSK offering.  The difference with using the 221 brass or 7.62x39 is that you can also load them 'hot' and have something realistic for hunting purposes.  The 300 Whisper is fine on deer if you can always get a 20 yrd shot.  Other than that...about the only thing I can see a use for a 300/221 is for shooting people.....  Humans are the only animal that will 'give up' and cry if maimed and injured.  Deer will not, they will run away,  and to use something that does not have any 'knockdown' power in my opinion is not a humane kill..

[blusmoke]

I am currently building 2 300/221's. 1 on a cz mini mauser x action w a 16 in bbl in 1in8 twist. The other is on an ar 15 platform w a 16 in bbl and same twist. There is a lot of info on http://www.quarterbore.com. Remember it is only a whisper if it was built by JD  Jones @SSK, if not it should go by the name of 300/221 or .300 fireball (t/c is the only exception through a deal w/ SSK but they only chamber in a 1in10 twist). Any short action should work, remember you need a .223 bolt face. Brass will be an issue also check out Mr Davis on quarterbore, great deal on quanity brass that is formed, trimmed and ready to go. Good luck with your project. Hope this steers you in the right direction.

[Mikey]

I could never quite understand the whole 'Whisper' following except for that posted by Robert.  If you want a subsonic 30 caliber rifle, Lapua has a nice subsonic 200 gn load for the 308 that only moves out at 1080'/sec.  That should do the job, don't ya think???  Mikey.

[gt40]

A friend of mine had one built on an Oncore action. Legal with his license. It is .45 ACP. The advantage is that you can use pistol bullets that are designed for fast expansion at 900 FPS. His has a red dot sight on it and we can consistently hit blocks of wood cut from a  2" x 4" x 8' that are 6" long. That is shooting off hand at 50 yards. The only sound you hear is the bullet when it hits the wood. He uses 200 gr. Speer Gold Dot bullets. They go completely through the wood and stop in a gallon milk jug of water. Perfect expansion all the way to the "Gold Dot". The suppressor is around the full length of the 18" barrel. I am amazed how accurate it is and absolutely no sound.