300 whisper barrel

[Barsmash]

I just got my Remington 700 action in and I am going to be sending it out next week to have a 300-whisper barrel put on. I have one question for all your guys out there. I have been reading and getting mixed results on barrel length. What if any advice cans you give me? I have seen 16" all the way up to 24". Please help as this is the first custom rifle I am building and I want to make sure it is right the first time.
Andy

[spmorgan]

Andy, I just built mine and I machined the barrel to 20" which sits very comfortable when walking with it. It basically splits the size you have been hearing of 24" and 16". Shane

[Gelandangan]

Hi Andy,

The reason I am using 24" is because:
a. I could always cut it down if it is not suitable
b. Whenever I want to use it with supersonic ammo, the extra length may (or may not) help me get a few extra fps.
c. I am hoping that with subsonic ammo all the powder burned within the barrel before the bullet exits so there will be a bit less muzzle blast and no flash to speak of. Bear in mind where I came from silencers are not obtainable legally.

So there is my two cents.

Gelan

[Artful]

I have 16 inch as the can adds length back onto it and I didn't want to spend the Tax Money to register as Short Barreled Rifle.

[Spook]

Its been my experience there's not much to be gained chambering a Whisper for a barrel much longer than 16". If you consider the cartridge was chambered in Contender barrels as short as 10" and performed well at that length.... ( I would have inserted a "No Brainer" emoticon here but there isnt one)

[WhisperFan]

I am having a Remington 700 turned into a 300 Whisper as well. I am going with a 20 inch length. That way, when I add the can, it isn't too long to manage.

I personally think that a full size bolt action rifle with a 16 inch barrel looks funny.

[Spook]

Originally Posted by WhisperFan

I personally think that a full size bolt action rifle with a 16 inch barrel looks funny.

If you think thats funny, wait till none of the published data for subsonics (the reason you're going to get a can) produce their published velocities because the last 5 inches of your barrel is producing drag on your projectiles. Funnier still when the cold end of the barrel gathers extra fouling and slows them down even more Your can will sure be quiet though, provided the reduced/ erratic velocities dont produce too many baffle strikes.
I personally think when you go out of your way to chamber a rifle for a "specialty cartridge" your barrel should compliment the catridge's characteristics.
Using appearence as logic to determine barrel length is analogous to taking a Mercedes to a tractor pull. I think Michael Jackson looks funny and I'd never chamber him in 300 whisper either.