Barrel Recommendations for Plains Game rifle in .300 RUM

[Tanks]

Getting prepared to build my 400+ yard PG rifle for Tanzania in 2021.

I have an order for Defiance Machine Deviant Hunter Left Handed Action with 0 MOA rail, CRF and 3 position safety.
The action and barrel will be put together by SSK Industries.
Accurate Innovations will do the stock and then back to SSK for fine tuning.

Question is what barrel? Suggestions?

 

[Hogpatrol]

26" #5 or #6 fluted, 10 twist. Pick a barrel: Brux, Kreiger, Bartlein, Benchmark, Shilen, then pick a vest with plenty of padding.

 

[35bore]

+1 for Bartlein

 

[Bullthrower338]

Lilja, Bartlein, proof..... so many good ones it is hard to narrow it down.

 

[Mike Van Horn]

Hmm l think l would pick a straight one

Ok ok enough joking around
#3 fluted Bartlein, threaded for a removable brake

 

[meigsbucks]

If memory serves me I think SSK uses Douglas and Shilen in a majority of their builds.

 

[Pheroze]

Consider a #5 spiral fluted Benchmark. The spiral fluting takes off a bit more weight than straight, so you can go up in contour and still not have an overly burdensome rifle for carrying.

 

[spike.t]

Just out of interest why are you going to be shooting at 400 yards plus?....

 

[Tra3]

That will be quite a thumper! I’d err on the side of heavier unless you add a good brake.

What do you plan to hunt with it?

 

[Tanks]

Just out of interest why are you going to be shooting at 400 yards plus?....

Some hunts require it. My Elk hunt in Montana the outfitter required hunters to hit a gong at 500 yards as part of checking the sights. I was lucky that my elk was at a bit over 350 yards. Two guys got theirs at over 600 yards.

I wanted to build a flat shooting rifle with some power. I don't have anything between a .308 and a .375 and the .308 is not good enough for all PG, for example I wouldn't trust a quartering shot at an Eland with it. I also don't care for .338s.

At my 2021 hunt I doubt I will need to shoot at 400+ yards, but if I need to I want to be able to do it. This will be my PG rifle and the .458 B&M my DG rifle.

 

[Tanks]

If memory serves me I think SSK uses Douglas and Shilen in a majority of their builds.

I'll have to talk to Brian, I just looked at the last 4 builds he did for me and he did not mention a specific barrel on the invoices.

 

[spike.t]

Some hunts require it. My Elk hunt in Montana the outfitter required hunters to hit a gong at 500 yards as part of checking the sights. I was lucky that my elk was at a bit over 350 yards. Two guys got theirs at over 600 yards.

I wanted to build a flat shooting rifle with some power. I don't have anything between a .308 and a .375 and the .308 is not good enough for all PG, for example I wouldn't trust a quartering shot at an Eland with it. I also don't care for .338s.

At my 2021 hunt I doubt I will need to shoot at 400+ yards, but if I need to I want to be able to do it. This will be my PG rifle and the .458 B&M my DG rifle.

Ok thought you were just talking about plains game in tanzania

 

[Areaonereal]

24 inch #4 straight fluted.....Brux, Bartlein, Kreiger.

 

[Hogpatrol]

26" #5 or #6 fluted, 10 twist. Pick a barrel: Brux, Kreiger, Bartlein, Benchmark, Shilen, then pick a vest with plenty of padding.

Add to this list two more good ones, Douglas and Lilja. The gotcha if buying direct and with a non standard fluting, will be lead time. OTH, 30 caliber 10 twists with straight flutes are usually stocked by a fair amount of vendors

 

[YancyW]

Getting prepared to build my 400+ yard PG rifle for Tanzania in 2021.

I have an order for Defiance Machine Deviant Hunter Left Handed Action with 0 MOA rail, CRF and 3 position safety.
The action and barrel will be put together by SSK Industries.
Accurate Innovations will do the stock and then back to SSK for fine tuning.

Question is what barrel? Suggestions?

That is going to be a fine rifle. I would add a 24" Hart #4 with a 1:9

I have a couple 300 RUMs, I really think 1:9 is the sweet spot, Hart will also make you a 1:8.5. If you are going to shoot 230's and up, that is the way to go.

 

[mikecatt13]

Save yourself some weight and get a proof! I have many and they all shoot 1/2moa easily from bolt gun to AR

 

[Tanks]

That is going to be a fine rifle. I would add a 24" Hart #4 with a 1:9

I have a couple 300 RUMs, I really think 1:9 is the sweet spot, Hart will also make you a 1:8.5. If you are going to shoot 230's and up, that is the way to go.

I'll be using Bergers up to 210 grain max, most likely the 190 grain VLD pushing it at 3K+ fps. Using their twist calculator 1:10 works. If I were to use their 245 grain then I'd have to go to 1:8.5 for sure. If I ever have the need to shoot a 245 grain bullet though, I am switching guns

 

[Tanks]

Save yourself some weight and get a proof! I have many and they all shoot 1/2moa easily from bolt gun to AR

I looked at Proof, my gunsmith has not worked with them and therefore is not comfortable with their barrels.

 

[mikecatt13]

I looked at Proof, my gunsmith has not worked with them and therefore is not comfortable with their barrels.

Cutting chambers, threads, and headspacing is the same. The only difference is that the barrel has to be ordered to length instead of cut to any length like all steel due to the carbon in the middle. Personally, that statement would make me extremely nervous especially with the other high quality expensive components you're using/risking

 

[Tanks]

... Personally, that statement would make me extremely nervous especially with the other high quality expensive components you're using/risking

He is kinda set in his ways. This will be the fifth rifle he has built for me. I am not nervous at all.