I am sending a Win Model 70 Classic Stainless in 300WSM off to get accurized at Hill Country Rifles. I am considering the thought of having the 24-inch BBL cut to 22-inches, as it would make it a little bit easier to carry through brush and the woods. I know that it's the wrong end to make any difference in weight reduction but want to do it just for portability sake.
I want to get some feedback from anyone who shoots the 300WSM or just to pick your brains for your .02, as I’m tossing this around.

I certainly would.....there's lots of .30-06 barrels at 22" and several at 18 1/2" too

The entire purpose of the WSM series is (presumably) to make "magnum" power available in a shorter, lighter gun. To do this, there are compromises, like giving up magazine capacity. Since "short" actions are only about 5/8" to 3/4" shorter than standard actions, in order to significantly shorten the gun, you also need for the barrel to be shorter. This is just one more of the compromises needed to make a rifle chambered for the WSM "handier" than one chambered for a standard magnum.

In other words, if you're not going to shorten the barrel by at least a couple of inches, you might as well have a standard length magnum and not give up the magazine capacity. So, if it were mine, I'd shorten the barrel.

quote:

you might as well have a standard length magnum and not give up the magazine capacity

When I look at the model 70 specs I always note that the 7mm/300/338 mags have a magazine capacity of 3+1. I also note that the WSM's have a magazine capacity of 3+1.

I always wonder where this argument comes from. Maybe some other rifles can carry more standard mag's than WSM's, but not the M70 Classic.

As for barrel length, I carried a Mauser98 in .280 with 24" barrel for years, now I carry is 300WSM with 24" barrel. There is about an inch difference in length, but I still notice when blind hunting that I hit the top of a deer blind with the rifle's muzzle much less often now.

Just my 2 cents...

Steve, I've had the 300 WSM with a 22" and 24" barrel... since you have your choice with a custom rig I'd go 23"... that's how the Browning comes from the factory. When I cut from 24 to 22" I lost around 80 fps... that's a LOT! The 300 WSM seems to be one of those rounds that loses a lot of velocity in a shorter barrel. I think 23" takes advantage of the round while making it a smaller package than the LA 300 WM. Course I'd probably just barrel a 300 WM at 23" too!

Another opinion: I would leave it as-is. The WinMag does great with a 25-6" bbl, and it has about the same expansion ratio, so for me I'd be giving up too much to make it worthwhile. After some getting used to it would be hard to make the case over 2" of barrel being that much more portable. 26" to 20" yes, but the overall length of the rifle would change a very small percentage when you lose that 50-80 fps.
Put it this way: get the rifle back, 24" and all, play with it for a season, and then have 2" chopped, recrown if you still want. It's awefully hard to make it long again.

I’d have to agree with you Stonecreek “in order to significantly shorten the gun, you also need for the barrel to be shorterâ€

Brad I‘ve also had the pleasure of owning several 300WSM, one was the Browning A-Bolt with the 23 inch BBL and I still have a 24 inch HS SPR with the heavy HS stock. That Browning was certainly a light rifle. But I think the word “handier†is key.

Well, I’m still thinking and still not sure. I’m sending the rifle out next week, so I’ll have to make up my mind.

Thanks for the input guys.

BTW Brad the 223 shoots great, thanks.

I'm not quite sure what your needs are for a more portable rifle but ...I would leave it 24". I used mine in Colorado this year and thought it was just right.

For comparison.. your rifle is only 5/8" longer than a belgium browning .270 with a 22" barrel and the Win. mod 70 300 win. mag., 26", is 3 1/4" longer...

Steve, I'm glad to hear the little Ruger is a keeper... I was kinda sorry to sell that rig!

Still building, hanging cabinets right now...

To cut or not to cut, 23 inches it is. Yes, that's my final answer. Thanks very much for your input guys. BT