What do you think would be the net result of a 300 WSM in a 16" barrel? Most mag barrels are 24", so w/ 8" less barrel, would you lose 400 fps on a 180 grainer...3000 fps down to 2600 fps?

Been thinking about picking up a Ruger Frontier, but with that extremely short barrel, I might just end up having a 308 with a big muzzle flash and big boom.

Try it and see, we can all speculate on the velocity loss, but each barrel responds differently. I have seen shorter barrels actualy shoot with higher speeds than longer ones with the same ammo. My cousin's 375 H&H with a 20 3/4" barrel chron'ed the same speed as my 24" barreled one and mine was useing 3 Grains more powder to keep up with the shorter barrel.

I suggest making some loads consisting of VV N 540 , I dont think you are gonna loose 400fps with the short mag. They tend to do very well in the short barrles along with maintaining there speed as well.

With the right powders it might be worth a shot. I can see huge fireball & blast potential but would like to be proven wrong. I think 20" is as short as I would want with any rifle cartridge magnum & like 24" a lot better. I doubt many manuals have loads worked up for 16" barrels but some of the hand cannon folks probably could start you in the right direction.

What do you think would be the net result of a 300 WSM in a 16" barrel?

Hearing loss. I can't imagine how loud this would be! :eek: Nor would I really want to hunt with that combination.....

What do you think would be the net result of a 300 WSM in a 16" barrel? Most mag barrels are 24", so w/ 8" less barrel, would you lose 400 fps on a 180 grainer...3000 fps down to 2600 fps?

Been thinking about picking up a Ruger Frontier, but with that extremely short barrel, I might just end up having a 308 with a big muzzle flash and big boom.

You are probably right, but it is your hearing not mine. So give it a try and let us know. I would not want a .300 WSM with a 16.5 inch barrel.

Hearing loss. I can't imagine how loud this would be! :eek: Nor would I really want to hunt with that combination.....

good point...may have to bore out the barrel for a 338 or 358 WSM wildcat!

What do you think would be the net result of a 300 WSM in a 16" barrel? Most mag barrels are 24", so w/ 8" less barrel, would you lose 400 fps on a 180 grainer...3000 fps down to 2600 fps?

Been thinking about picking up a Ruger Frontier, but with that extremely short barrel, I might just end up having a 308 with a big muzzle flash and big boom. .

THERE ARE MANY VARIABLES IN HAND LOADING. THESE LOADS ARE FOR DISICUSSION PURPOSES ONLY. USUAL WARNINGS APPLY.

You are going to loose 200-220 fps in a 16.5" barrel vs a 24" barrel. Here's the data using the 180 gr Nosler Partition, 65.7 grains of IMR4350, 95% loading density. I tried 100% LD but the pressure was well over 55K CUP / 65K PSI.

With 100% LD, 69.1 gr N560 or H4831(not SC or IMR) got 50-75 fps less velocity as the following loads with 65.7 gr IMR4350:

16.5" 2773 fps 55009 CUP.
20.0" 2848 fps 55327 CUP.
22.0" 2945 fps 55500 CUP. Notice the 97 fps increase 20" vs 22".
24.0" 2990 fps 55620 CUP.
26.0" 3030 fps 55722 CUP.

Note: Winchester advertises 3010 fps with a 180 gr bullet, probably with a 26" barrel.

I don't know about a short-barreled 300 WSM, but I once had a 16.5" barreled Ruger Ultra-light in 30-06 and fired it only once without hearing protection because I forgot to put it on. It was very, very loud and the recoil was awsome. I no longer have the rifle and do just fine with a 22" barreled Browning A-bolt Medallion in 30-06.

You mentioned the .308 Winchester. Here's what you will get with the same 180 gr. Nosler Partition, 44.5 gr AA2520, 100% loading density:

16.5" 2440 / 54901 CUP.
18.0" 2477 / 55014.
20.0" 2547 / 55139.
22.0" 2565 / 55213.
24.0" 2598 / 55275.
26.0" 2632 / 55279.

Note: Winchester advertiese 2620 fps, probably with a 26" barrel.

thanks nitro for running those numbers. I have a short barrelled Rem 7600 pump in 30-06...think it's an 18". Looks to be about the same performance as I could expect from the shorter 300 WSM.

Last year a friend bought a Winnie in 300 short magnum. When I ran Federal's 180 grain loads across the chrono from his 24 inch tube it didn't live up to the factory published velocities. We were just breaking 2800 fps with it.

My experience suggests that any time you go with an overbore cartridge, be it a short magnum or a standard magnum or a long magnum you gain velocity by using longer barrels.

Why would you want one?

Why would you want one?

The Ruger Frontier is a scout rifle…short barrel and forward scope mount. This can be a good combination in the thick woods around here as it’s light and easy to point even with trees in your face. Having a 300 WSM chambering would give 30-06 bullet performance out of the short barrel.

I’m only slightly tempted now after considering the muzzle blast. If it was chambered in 358 Win, I’d have bought it already.

thanks nitro for running those numbers. I have a short barrelled Rem 7600 pump in 30-06...think it's an 18". Looks to be about the same performance as I could expect from the shorter 300 WSM. .

Using the 180 grain Nosler Partition and the industry standard of 2700 fps / 50K CUP / 24" barrel and loading 53.1 gr H414, with an 18" barrel the velocity drops to 2565 fps. You loose 135 fps but a true comparison would be to the standard barrel length of 22" for the Remington 7600 which is 2660 fps. So you only loose 95 fps by going with the 18" barrel over the 22" barrel. Great choice!

Considering the handiness of a 7600 carbine in 30-06, that's a good trade-off. Neither you nor the game will ever know the difference, if any.

My 30-06 is a Browning A-bolt which is also chambered in the 270 Winchester with a SAAMI max of 65,000 PSI (approx. 55,000 CUP). Loading to the same pressure, I get 2800 fps with the 180 gr Nosler Partition with 60.0C gr H4831SC, once-fired neck sized WW brass, Federal 215 mag rifle primer with an OAL that positions the bullet .010" off the lands. THIS LOAD IS POWERFUL AND ACCURATE IN MY RIFLE BUT MAY BE OVER-PRESSURE IN YOURS. Start at 52 gr and work up in any rifle. Your Remington 7600 is plenty strong, but is not as strong as a bolt action.

Good shooting.