24" vs. 26" barrel for 300 win. mag.

[matts318]

How much of a difference will the 26" barrel make on a 300 win. mag? My dad is looking at getting a browning a bolt medallion with a 26" tube on it and hes real big on that barrel length. I like the idea of the 26" barrel also but how much difference will it really make?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[FOTIS]

Cartridge : .300 Win. Mag.(R)
Bullet : .308, 180, Nosler PART SP 16331
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch or 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch or 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-22

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-02.0 101 73.50 2993 3581 57636 12661 98.9 1.187 ! Near Maximum !




Cartridge : .300 Win. Mag.(R)
Bullet : .308, 180, Nosler PART SP 16331
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch or 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch or 660.4 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-22

-02.0 101 73.50 3054 3728 57636 11524 99.3 1.242 ! Near Maximum !

 

[nomosendero]

It may not be huge, but some difference. I have a 300WM Sendero with a 26" tube & have seen a diff. comparedto some I would say 60-80fps as a norm with some maybe 100fps. I know carrying the 26" gives me no issues, but neither does the weight, but some think my Lam. stock Sendero is heavy, to each his own.

 

[Big Squeeze]

For every inch that is lost in barrel length, figure around 15 to 30 fps. PER INCH lost in velocity!.............The 24" vs. the 26" will make absolutely no difference on whatever the game happens to be or the yardage for the shot! The only way to be 100% sure of any actual loss figures is to do chrono comparisons between two 300 Win. Mags............I happen to have a 300 WSM in a Ruger Frontier compact with the short 16.5" barrel. My chrono results when compared with the 24" 300 WSM`s, show about a 3.5% to a 4.5% velocity loss given the same components! When you do the math, that translates into between 15 to 30 fps. for every inch lost......I can assure you that my little Frontier will do anything, on any game, at any range, just like the full sized 24" 300 WSM`s or any 24" 300 Win. Mag! So! A 2" difference in barrel length is, as far as I`m concerned, a very mute point and nothing to worry about!!!.........Potent power houses can come in small packages!!!

 

[JD338]

I think individual barrels can have more of a variance than +/- 2" of barrel length. I would think you would be looking at 50-75 fps difference. A 26" barrel can always be cut down if it too long for ones style of hunting too. Like Big Squeeze said, the 24" vs. the 26" will make absolutely no difference on whatever the game happens to be or the yardage for the shot!

JD338

 

[matts318]

Thanks guys, I didnt believe it would be a huge difference but my dad is real big on the 26" barrel, but that just limits his options to a few guns since most have 24" barrels. But so far I think we both like that A Bolt Medallion! There was a Tika T3 there with the grey laminate stock and 24" medium weight barrel, only problem was the gun was to light in the butt of the stock, is there a way to add weight to that part of the gun?

 

[JD338]

You can add weight by drilling 1-2 holes in the end of the stock and fillinf with lead. The recoil pad will keep it covered and out of sight.

JD338

 

[nomosendero]

I think individual barrels can have more of a variance than +/- 2" of barrel length. I would think you would be looking at 50-75 fps difference. A 26" barrel can always be cut down if it too long for ones style of hunting too. Like Big Squeeze said, the 24" vs. the 26" will make absolutely no difference on whatever the game happens to be or the yardage for the shot!

JD338

Yea, I buy that. I have not had a shot at a game animal as yet with my Sendero 26" that could not have been made with a 24" if that rifle was equally accurate. And individual barrels are "fast" or "slow" in a given barrel length for some reason. I did not check a bunch of 300's but the
26" was a little faster like I said, but one Browning with a Boss, was dang close. I like the weight & the length is no biggie because I am not short, everything is relative. I think I will keep the 26" for now thank you, but I cold get along very well with a 24" Alaskan like my buddie's.

But going from a 26" Sendero to a stubby 300WSM and saying I could shoot just as far, well I am glad some can, I doubt I could. Most people I
I have conversed with at LRH & other places feel that the WSM is close to 300WM at factory velocities because the WSM is loaded to higher pressures, but with reloads with 180 gr. bullets & higher the 300WM pulls away 100fps or so with the longer 180 gr bullets like the Acc. that rob
the squatty case. Then with the 200Acc the spread will be more than 100fps. Add the 3.5%(105fps from 3,000) or the 4.5%(135fps) to the case cap. difference that BigS. mentioned & it is not quite equal to me.

To each his own I guess.

I think the data from the 43rd. Lyman Handbook makes good sence to me & found here: http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_barrel.htm

Basically they say that vel. per inch lost from 26" will be as follows for
given VELOCITY RANGES:
2,501-3,000fps each inch changes 20fps
3,001-3,500fps each inch changes 30fps
3,500-4,000fps each inch changes 40fps
This mirrors what POP showed in his post & this also mirrors what 6mmbr showed in the 308 article for the vel range of the 308
http://www.6mmbr.com/308win.html

 

[Big Squeeze]

Nomosendero..............................I read your last post. I believe that you missed my point or may have gotten confused. I did not say in my last post that my little Frontier 16.5" barrel would shoot as far as a 24" or 26" barrel......However, I did say, that in the hunting fields, my rifle with it`s 16.5" barrel would be just as effective on game as the 24" and 26"s........Most if not all of the shots for hunting, will always be within 500 yards! The realistic average distance would be more like 150 to 300 yards. That is what counts; not the full range of the bullet when the rifle is pointed up at a 33 degree angle, fired and then travels 2 or 3 miles or so! If that is what you were referring to as "shoot as far",, then of course, a bullet from a 24" or 26" barreled rifle with more velocity will travel further as for a total given distance!......I was referring to realistic hunting ranges! A 200 gr. Nosler A/B chrono`d @ 2828 fps. MV from my Frontier, has nearly a ton of down range energy at the 500 yard mark! You could have 3000 lbs. of downrange energy coming out of that 26" Sendero at 500 yards, but if you misplace the shot and don`t hit the vitals??? Guess what!!.......Nearly a ton of down range energy, will take care of any elk, moose and most, if not all bears, with a well placed shot!! Given the same bullet weights, the only difference that a hunter needs to do between a short barreled 300 WSM and a 26" 300 RUM??? AIM A LITTLE HIGHER!!!...........Depending on the rifle and given the same barrel length and reloading components, the reloaded 300 WSM will equal in every way, the ballistics of the 300 Win., UP TO and including the 180 gr. bullet. Heavier bullets than 180 gr. in the 300 WSM will have reduced velocities when compared to the 300 Win., because of the case capacity!.........I owned a 24" 300 Win. for 35 years along with many years of chrono experience with that caliber! I have also chrono`d other 24" 300 WSM`s and compared those results with my shorty Frontier!......I will gladly trade ANY TIME, a small 3.5% to 5 % of total velocity loss, in return for the benefits of hunting with a more lighter and shorter barreled compact rifle!................Yes! You need enough velocity! But what is more important is proper shot placement, knowing the bullet trajectory and the down range energy of your given load..........My chrono findings for my 16.5" barrel averaging 4% to a 4.5% of velocity loss, also backs up Dick Metcalf`s findings when he chrono tested a 7mm/08 Frontier in his article now on "shootingtimes.com" under the "long guns" section entitled "Short Answer About Scout Styled Rifles."..........If you haven`t read it yet, it is a great read!!........The shorter barreled capabilities just may surprise you as they did me!

 

[JD338]

Good points gentlemen.
Usually higher and more consistant velocities can be obtained from premiun barrels, the bores are more dimensionally consistant than factory grade barrels.

Big Squeeze,

Short barrels can shoot too. I once had a Remington 742 Carbine 30-06 with a 18.5" barrel that would shoot MOA with the right hand loads.

JD338

 

[nomosendero]

If I was confused, then I was confused because I read what you said. Here
it is: "I can assure you that my little Frontier will do anything, on any game, at any range, just like the full sized 24" 300 WSM's or any 24" 300 Win Mag". This was the reason for my response.

Now you state that "I was refering to realistic hunting ranges". I would have never questioned that statement & even though it covers a lot of ground, I doubt that I would have made a comment. BUT, It is not up to me or you to determine "realistic hunting ranges". Some hunters are more proficient at 600 yards than others are at 100 yards. The 300WSM vel. may be "close enough" for you but it isn't for me, to each his own.

Yes, I read Lane's article & I also know that each inch lost in a smaller case like the 7-08 will make less difference than it would in the 300WSM.

I do not intend to argue, but I know I would not say that i can shoot just as far accurately as anyone with any 300RUM or other round, I will only say that my comfort level is 600yards or so under the right conditions & the 300WM handles that well. If I grow that distance with more practice then I may go for a RUM or a 338 Edge. My skill will determine that.

 

[Big Squeeze]

Nomo.................Perhaps, I should have been a little more specific and clarified "hunting ranges" in the 1st place!.....Even when I hunted with my 300 Win., although very capable, I would never try a 600+ yard shot! Some do and that is ok! I would be hesitant with even a RUM and would wait until I could get closer for a better shot!...............Yes! Every hunter makes his own determination as to what the realistic hunting ranges are. That`s up to the individual hunter! A 600 to 800 yard shot on deer or elk? Not impossible by any means and very realistic. It has been done!.................Dick Metcalf is the author of the article I was referring to, not someone by the name of Lane.....He does state that any caliber chambered in the Frontier, 300 WSM or otherwise, should come to within 95.5% of the 24" tubes! My chrono results confirm that!!!..........Happy Shooting!

 

[nomosendero]

More specific would be cool just like me saying Dick M. instead of thinking of Lane Simpson would have been cool. :grin:

We have different taste & you & I understand what your carbines & my rifles will do. I knew it before this thread stated just as you did as well.
No problem with that. Have a good one.

 

[matts318]

JD338 I will tell him about that, we only have about 2,000lbs of lead in our garage! I didnt even think about that! He just has a 270 A Bolt feather weight and it kicks like a mule, it jumps up on both of us real bad, gets both us in the cheek and its not pleasant to shoot! He just doesnt want a gun that does that, which is why the lighter Tika turned him off. BIg 30's are not a problem, can take the recoil, but its a lot easier to take recoil in the shoulder rather than the cheek!