Hi guys, I am having my .300 Win Mag built very soon, something has been itching me about barrel length. Most of my hunting rifles use a 26 inch barrel, and I was hoping to use a 215 Berger on this .300 Win Mag if I plan to hunt big game, if that is what most of you guys are using for barrel length for long range hunting in the 300. I checked Quickload and I see that the node is best with 180 bullets but not for the 215 Bergers if I use a 26 inch barrel, but the 24 inch barrel shows the node with 215 Bergers. What do you guys recommend on barrel length? Hoping to get the correct length so I won't regret it later if I get the wrong length.

Do I get to choose bullet weight that I plan to use to get correct barrel length in relation to use the perfect node? If I decide to use 180 grain bullets, then I need to use a 26 inch barrel and if I want to use 215 Bergers, then I need to stick to 24 inch barrel? I am a bit confused and hope for some insight. Thanks

I have never picked a barrel length with even a thought that I couldn't get it to shoot. That makes no sense. Barrel length is simply adding or taking away velocity and making the rifle more handy or compact. I run a 29" barrel on my 300 WM running the Hornady 225 BTHP because I want more speed. It shoots fantastic out past a mile. QL is a decent tool to use as a guide. But it is often wrong and sometimes way off. Why couldn't you get a 215 Berger to shoot in a 26" barrel?

If you know what bullet you want to shoot, then select your barrel based on the proper twist rate for that bullet. Then pick the barrel length that you want for the velocity you want with that caliber. Then, tune the load to the rifle. I can get most any bullet to shoot out of any length barrel by tuning the load to it. I don't know why it would be thought that you can't find an accuracy node with a 215 grain in a 26" barrel.

You will gain/lose about 20-25 fps per inch in the 300 WM. I went 29" since that's about 75 fps more velocity over a 26" barrel, and this rifle is not a hiking around gun.

Chad, will a 1 -10 twist work with 215 grain Bergers?

Yes. A 1:10" twist is an ideal twist for the 300 WM. I went with a 1:11" on mine, but wish I had gone with the 1:10" to shoot the heavy 230 Berger bullet. The Hornady 225 BTHP is a little shorter bullet, so it works well in the 1:11". I can still shoot the 230 in my 11" twist, but it's not optimal for the 1000+ yards I want to shoot at.

Here's a link that can help you out a lot on bullet stability and what will work and what parameters you can enter to play with bullet stability.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

I went with a Lilja barrel on my 300WM. 1:10 twist, finished at a little over 26". I've shot everything from 180s to 230s with great results. My rifle really likes the 208 amax.

Chad explained it perfectly. Here it is in a list format.

1. Pick the bullet you want to run.

2. Find out what twist is needed to stabilize it.

3. Decide how fast you want it to go. That will lead you to what cartridge to load it in, and how long to make the barrel.

On number 3, you have options depending on how long you'd "like" the barrel to be. If you want a little less length, you may have to go with a bit bigger case.

And I agree, Quick load is a tool, but it is not gospel written in stone. If you have enough powder, and you have the twist to stabilize the bullet, experiment with low to high powder charges until it shoots well. If you want to tweak it some more, you can (once powder charge is nailed down) play with seating depth.

My 300 is 25in and I can move 190s over 3000 fps

Thanks, that cleared up my questions perfectly.