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Barrel length 300 Win Mag for Suppressor?
- Thread starter Tawaliga
- Start date
Willie Lowman
New member
shortening the barrel on a Win Mag is not good for velocity which is the whole point of the Win Mag in my opinion.
https://rifleshooter.com/2013/12/30...rrel-length-change-velocity-a-16-300-win-mag/
https://rifleshooter.com/2013/12/30...rrel-length-change-velocity-a-16-300-win-mag/
Federal law sets the minimum barrel length for a rifle at 16".
SO, you can legally go that short (if your state law allows it as well) but in .300 Win mag, its a barking stupid idea which wastes a huge part of the round's potential, and wastes a bunch of your money every time you pull the trigger.
SO, you can legally go that short (if your state law allows it as well) but in .300 Win mag, its a barking stupid idea which wastes a huge part of the round's potential, and wastes a bunch of your money every time you pull the trigger.
could do a SBR, but again, why? the whole point of 300 WM is velocity. chopping off barrel length just loses you velocity.
heres an article where they test velocity from 24in down to 16in
https://rifleshooter.com/2013/12/300-winchester-magnum-how-does-barrel-length-change-velocity-a-16-300-win-mag/
Personally, if you really wanted to suppress the 300, I would cut it down however long the suppressor is, or 16 in, whichever comes first to maintain the same overall length.
heres an article where they test velocity from 24in down to 16in
https://rifleshooter.com/2013/12/300-winchester-magnum-how-does-barrel-length-change-velocity-a-16-300-win-mag/
Personally, if you really wanted to suppress the 300, I would cut it down however long the suppressor is, or 16 in, whichever comes first to maintain the same overall length.
Yes, you lose speed from shorter barrels. But not nearly as much as a lot of folks think and a 20" 300 WM is still going to be faster than a 24" 30-06. And a 20" 300 WM is going to be a LOT faster than a 308 or 30-06 cut down to 20". Look at the data in the link.
Even at 16" the 300 WM was faster than you could get from a 308 shooting 190 gr bullets from a 24" barrel. Yet people recommend a 308 for shorter barrels. If you think about it, it makes more sense to cut a magnum barrel short than a slower standard cartridge.
The biggest downside is noise, and if you're cutting it to use a suppressor then even that is negated.
And... you get some of that velocity back with the suppressor.
Even at 16" the 300 WM was faster than you could get from a 308 shooting 190 gr bullets from a 24" barrel. Yet people recommend a 308 for shorter barrels. If you think about it, it makes more sense to cut a magnum barrel short than a slower standard cartridge.
The biggest downside is noise, and if you're cutting it to use a suppressor then even that is negated.
And... you get some of that velocity back with the suppressor.
I have plenty of other rifles that are short action, shorter barrels, more efficient, blah blah, and those are shot suppressed also......this 300 win has made lots of memories....I'd like to keep using it, just in a different configuration. I got 25# of RL19, IMR 4831, and RL22, so I don't give a rip about burning extra powder.
There's no free lunch. There is only deciding if what you pay for what you get is worth it.
I'm having a difficult time envisioning any benefit to cutting a magnum barrel short then adding a suppressor, (bringing it back to long length) other than the reduction of muzzle blast.
And there are a number of changes that happen when you do this that could be regarded as drawbacks. And some of them aren't apparent until after the permanent change is made.
Ok, I'm cheap, and I'm old, and not front line infantry or police. I don't spend my days climbing in and out of APCs, helicopters, or other vehicles with a rifle. Nor do I do houseclearing or CQB, and the only overwatch is for deer from a stand. SO, a short handy suppressed rifle is not a priority for me.
I don't see the sense in turning a .300 magnum into a quiet .300 Savage. But, that's just me.
I'm having a difficult time envisioning any benefit to cutting a magnum barrel short then adding a suppressor, (bringing it back to long length) other than the reduction of muzzle blast.
And there are a number of changes that happen when you do this that could be regarded as drawbacks. And some of them aren't apparent until after the permanent change is made.
Ok, I'm cheap, and I'm old, and not front line infantry or police. I don't spend my days climbing in and out of APCs, helicopters, or other vehicles with a rifle. Nor do I do houseclearing or CQB, and the only overwatch is for deer from a stand. SO, a short handy suppressed rifle is not a priority for me.
I don't see the sense in turning a .300 magnum into a quiet .300 Savage. But, that's just me.
Yeah @taylorce1 that is exactly what I need to do. I tried looking online but I guess I will call/email them and askDepends on the suppressor rating, my SilencerCo Omega 300 is rated for a 20" .300 Win Mag. Just check with the manufacturer for barrel length requirements.
My barrel is also fluted, so that may be a dealbreaker as well...
Crankylove
New member
I’ve got a Model 70 in .270 Win I had threaded for suppressor use.
With the 24” barrel, and 9” of suppressor, it is a bit long. Not exactly unwieldy, but that extra 9” is noticeable. I thought quite a bit about cutting the barrel down to 18” or 20”, but ultimately decided to just thread it.
That rifle shoots quite well as is, and is generally used to more open terrain, where the longer combo isn’t a huge bother. I wasn’t worried about losing a little velocity by chopping the barrel, really came down to already having other rifles better suited for use in more wooded/brushy/closed in areas, and no real need to cut the .270 down.
My .338 Federal was built from the start with a suppressor in mind, and got a 16” barrel to help keep length down with the 12” of suppressor that will go on it, if it ever gets out of ATF jail.
With the 24” barrel, and 9” of suppressor, it is a bit long. Not exactly unwieldy, but that extra 9” is noticeable. I thought quite a bit about cutting the barrel down to 18” or 20”, but ultimately decided to just thread it.
That rifle shoots quite well as is, and is generally used to more open terrain, where the longer combo isn’t a huge bother. I wasn’t worried about losing a little velocity by chopping the barrel, really came down to already having other rifles better suited for use in more wooded/brushy/closed in areas, and no real need to cut the .270 down.
My .338 Federal was built from the start with a suppressor in mind, and got a 16” barrel to help keep length down with the 12” of suppressor that will go on it, if it ever gets out of ATF jail.