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.

[Malaga]

I would go along with Spook on this. Baffle strikes can really ruin your whole day. Most would go with a barrel length that does not require an SBR build and the additional tax that goes along with that...

[WhisperFan]

Originally Posted by Spook

... 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.

I have always seen that longer barrels produce higher velocities when using the same cartridge. Why does the barrel produce 'drag'? Does all the powder burn up at exactly 16" and the bullet coasts out of any additional barrel length?

I re-read my post and I wanted to ensure you didn't tink I was being a smart ass. I really want to learn as much about this round as possible before I do my build.

I do have some trouble with your statement where you said

Originally Posted by Spook

... 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.

Why will the barrel get 'extra fouling'?

[pug]

Well I think what they are saying is that if you are talking about a subsonic load for use with a can then you are held to a limit of about 1100 fps in velocity. It is very easy to get there and you are right that a longer barrel produces more velocity and that is the problem. With a long barrel you must use a really fast burning powder or else the bullet will be surely supersonic. In fact you must burn up the majority of the powder way before the end of a 16" barrel or else the bullet will be supersonic. Pistol length barrels are subsonic in nature rifle barrel lengths are not. Your barrel will excel with supersonic 300/221 loads because of the length but to keep the loads subsonic the charge will be light and fast and the bullet will be "coasting" quite a bit towards the end of the barrel. Many feel that barrels stay cleaner if the gasses are still plenty hot coming out the muzzle. A clean burning powder will help both your barrel and can stay cleaner. Now if I could just get them to send me my 300/221 parts I could really speak with some authority on this subject. :)