300 win mag & barrel length

G

Gsjcky

Member
I’m thinking of getting a Christensen Arms Mesa in 300 win mag. Barrel is 24 inches long, but that includes a muzzle break. The rifling will only be about 22.5 inches. Should I be concerned about the shorter barrel? If I use faster powder (for a 300), will that help with the loss of an inch and a half of barrel length? What do you think?
 
A friend had one that he cut to 19" from bulging with snow in the barrel. I think you will be ok, just wear some kind of ear protection...she is going to bark!
 
Or put a can on it.
I have an encore barrel in 300wm that i am planning on cutting down from 26" to somewhere between 18"-22" and have it threaded.
 
I shoot a 300WM with a 22" barrel and speed is no problem. I can get over 3200fps with a 165 grain bullet.
 
Resolved my problem. Picked up a Christensen Arms Mesa today, last year’s model NIB. With break barrel is 26 inches. 25 inches of rifling. We are good to go
 
Should be a fine rifle.

Yes, one can look at barrel length to get the most out of a particular round. With the larger magnums or ‘over-bore’ cartridges, that can be out to 26” or so. The other part of the equation is the type of hunting & average expected shot distance.

If hunting a Cedar swamp in the upper Midwest, a 26” barrel is a real handicap, especially for that average
 
When I cut one of my older 300 WMs down to 22" from 24" I lost right near 80-90 fps ! And it was loud.

All my 300 s since have been 24-26". The old 22" one barely out performed a 24" 06. I didn't try using a faster powder or different charge though. Good Luck
 
My M70 Classic has the BOSS on it, which means my barrel is around 22.5" I supposed I lose 50 fps or so, but all the elk, deer, hogs, and coyotes I've killed with it haven't complained.

I'd be pretty leery of a muzzle brake unless you like hearing loss or resolve to always carry ear protection and take a few extra seconds to don it before shooting.

My rifle came with two BOSS gizmos, one ported and one conventional. I've always used the conventional system because I'd rather have a slightly more sore shoulder than losing my hearing. My $0.02.
 
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Thanx for all the input. Haven’t gone to the range yet, but I’m going to try IMR 7828 with 180 gr Sierras to start probably this weekend
 
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