New to 300 Whisper

[sparhawk]

Howdy All! I've been thinking about building a suppressed rifle for some time, and have finally decided that I need to have one. At first I was going to re-barrel my Remington 700 LTR (.308) with a 16 inch 1:8 and a Gemtech HVT with the QD mount. I was planning on using subsonic .308 from Engel. I already ordered the HVT. But then, I saw a guy at a local range a few weeks ago with a 300 Whisper on an AR-15. I don't know what kind of suppressor he had, but it sounded like one of my dog's farts! Just a whoosh with the metal sound of the bolt. So, now I've changed my plans for my 700, and I've ordered various parts to build my own 300 on an AR platform. I'm going to order the barrel later this week from SSK, I just haven't decided on the length. First of all (I know I've been a bit impulsive), will the Gemtech HVT be a good suppressor with the Whisper? Is it too big for the whisper? Is it better to have the biggest can I can get? What can I expect it to sound and shoot like? I'm basically going to be playing at the range, but I want an accurate shot at about 200 yards. I plan to use a Harris bipod. What are your thoughts on barrel length? My local class 3 guy says he wants to build one for himself with an 11 inch barrel. Isn't that too short - not to mention a 2 tax gun? I was thinking 16 inches was about right. Are there any suppliers of complete rounds? Or, am I going to have to learn to load my own? The Engel .308 ammo is soooo expensive at $450.00 for 100 rounds. The expense is the main thing that put me off of the subsonic .308 Engel/ Remington 700 conversion. What will the whisper ammo cost? Is there a difference in the way the subsonic .308 vs. 300 Whisper shoots/ sounds? What are the preferred bullet weights and barrel twists? Am I going about this the right way? I only plan to shoot subsonic suppressed with this rifle. Any input would be greatly appreciated, especially since I don't know what the hell I'm doing!!!