Is longer better?

[Idaho_ Elk_ Huntr]

I have a M 700 rifle that I am going to have rebarreled. It is a 7mm Ultra and will have it chambered for a 300 Ultra this time around. The barrel is about shot out. The gunsmith suggested a 28 or 30 inch Shilen barrel! Any benefits over the 26 length?

[AJ]

Re: Is longer better?

Actually its just the opposite that Tbird mentioned. Thats when the big cases start to be worth while. I have a couple guns with 28" barrels and they are some sweet thumpers. My long range big game gun is a trued and blueprinted Rem 700 with a 28", #5 taper, fluted stainless super match barrel from Pac-Nor. Its chambered in 300 Weatherby Magnum with a custom throat to fit my loads. I am getting 3350 fps with a 180 gr bullet. Its resting in a McMillan BDL stock that is pillar bedded. It will shoot 1/2 MOA for 5 shots at 100 yards.

With a 300 RUM, you would probably be looking at 3450-3500 fps with a 180 gr bullet, if you had a 28" barrel. Going to a 30" barrel will get you more velocity, but it also starts to induce problems due to the heavy barrel being that long. If you go 28" long I definately recommend pillar bedding or using a stock with an aluminum bedding block. If you go 30" its a must. The long action will flex on firing and accuracy can go to pot otherwise. If you had a custom action with longer threaded section, you can use a 30" barrel with good accuracy. Remington 700 is not stiff enough and needs to be sleeved as a single shot, or use a shorter barrel.

I have been leading towards a 28" 338 RUM. Now that is a long range gun. Go with a minimum spec chamber with a tight neck. OOOOoooohhhh yeah.

[Idaho_ Elk_ Huntr]

Re: Is longer better?

Thanks AJ! Now what are your thoughts on the Christianson Arms barrels? My friend has on chambered for the 300 Win mag and he loves it. I can go with the 28 inch barrel no problem. Can you tell me what the best barrel I can buy?

I dont care to spend the extra cash! Also I amneed of a new stock. It now has a factory synthetic. Where can I look at the stock with the aluminum bedding block?

Thanks!!!

[AJ]

Re: Is longer better?

For high quality barrels on a hunting gun, you won't go wrong with any of these:

Cut rifled barrels

Krieger

Obermeyer in Wisconsin

Button rifled barrels

Hart

Lilja

Pac-Nor

Shilen

I am not a big fan of the Christianson Arms barrels. Carbon fiber is an insulator not a conductor. All of the tests I have seen take the temps of the exterior of the barrel as it heats up from multiple firings. I have not seen a test that gives the bore temperature of a carbon wrapped barrel vs a steel barrel. Personally I would not waste the $ on them. You are wanting a fire breathing RUM cartridge on this barrel, so I would stick with a steel barrel. It will also help with recoil.

For stocks, there are a few that have aluminum bedding blocks. HS Precision , and Bell & Carlson

make synthetic stocks with aluminum blocks. Accurate Innovations Makes a nice walnut stock with an alumimum bedding block. I still prefer to do a glass bed for a perfect fit on a bedding block.

[Guest Xen]

Re: Is longer better?

so, with my wife looking over my shoulder, i have been directed to answer "yes, longer is better and size does matter" no wonder she gets mad at me all the time

[AJ]

Re: Is longer better?

LOL! I keep telling my wife that's why my belly is getting so big. Bigger is better. I guess its only in engines and rifle barrels.