Critique My Rifle Build

[James]

I am looking to make a purpose-built short barrel hunting rifle for hunting Roosevelt elk in their thick jungle habitat, but can still ethically harvest across a clear cut when that rare opportunity arises.

Goals:
-Short as possible overall barrel length for maneuvering in the thick jungle of western WA
-Still be able to ethically harvest game to at least 350 yards with copper bullets.
-As corrosion resistant as possible.
-Be very comfortable, ergonomic, and easy to carry while still hunting
-1 MOA accuracy or better, because only accurate rifles are interesting.

Current rough plan:
-Savage short action chambered in 300WSM
-8-10” barrel with a short as possible suppressor. Looking at reflex suppressors that would make my overall length 14-16” but am open to any ideas to get this shorter.
-Hoping to use factory ammo with copper bullets in the 150-180 grain range (Barnes, Hornady GMX/CX, etc.)
-Going to start off with a wooden stock I carve myself from a blank. Once I get everything how I like it I might made another out of composites. Plan is to have flush cups on the side of the stock for an easy two point patrol carry.

Why savage?  Other than the standard savage reasons, I really like tang safety’s for still hunting.

Why suppressed? While I don’t want the extra length, when still hunting I usually don’t have time to put in hearing protection before I shoot.

Why 8-10” barrel? In my limited research the first 8” is where the bulk of the bullet acceleration takes place.  A few different estimates seem to indicate I can get 308 win velocities at this barrel length from a 300 wsm, so copper bullets should still be able to expand to at least 350 yards.

Why factory ammo? Because I don’t reload and I don’t need another hobbies. Am I crazy hoping to be able to get factory copper ammo to work in such an uncommon rifle configuration?



Not sure on rifle twist yet, maybe 1-10 or 1-9? I haven’t run any of the equations, but short barrel with copper bullets maybe a faster twist rate is needed?

 Am I out of line to expect 308 win velocity’s with a short barrel 300 WSM?

General feedback and thoughts? Mistakes? Things I am overlooking? Other ideas to consider?

[sjhgraysage]

I don't think a "Rifle" can legally have a barrel less than 16" long???

[James]

I don't think a "Rifle" can legally have a barrel less than 16" long???

If you work though the proper legal process, pay some fees, it can be registered as a short barreled rifle.

[Stein]

I would simplify the process and just hunt with my kid's youth rifle.  I've been kicking around the idea every time I pick it up or end up carrying it in the field.  Not as much fun as a build though.

[Skillet]

Along with placing way too high of a premium on a short barrel in the elk woods, I think you're trying to reinvent the wheel.

https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57018

A 20" barrel is plenty maneuverable through western-Washington elk country, the 308 out of a 20" is easily 350 yards elk-capable, and has a very tame muzzle blast.

 

[b23]

Maybe just buy one of these instead. https://christensenarms.com/modern-precision-pistol/

[LDennis24]

Just get one of these...

[James]

Maybe just buy one of these instead. https://christensenarms.com/modern-precision-pistol/

It's been very encouraging to me to see the influence from personal defense, precision rifle, etc trickling their way into hunting rifles the last few years.

So far I seem to find ways to nit pick the offerings available currently (that I know about) to the point I am not interested in buying them, but have been wondering if I just need to wait longer and it will be offered.

Faxon had a really interesting 8" barrel Rem700 at shot show this year.

[James]

Just get one of these...

I have considered it, and am still open to the idea.

What has been holding me back:
-I really want a reflex suppressor, the tube magazine seems to be a challenge there.
-I am trying to avoid having more calibers than I already do, especially something as specific as a lever gun caliber.

I want this to be a purpose built gun, but hoping to make aspects of it useful to my other guns/future builds as possible.  Lever gun stuff I am worried might be an orphan for me.

 

[James]

Along with placing way too high of a premium on a short barrel in the elk woods, I think you're trying to reinvent the wheel.

https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57018

A 20" barrel is plenty maneuverable through western-Washington elk country, the 308 out of a 20" is easily 350 yards elk-capable, and has a very tame muzzle blast.

 

I hear what you are saying, and maybe I am trying to re-invent the wheel, but I have always hunted with a 22” barrel in the elk woods and no doubt made it work, but never really liked it.

Here is why I want to go as short as possible other than the standard “it’s close quarters and thick” reason.

When still hunting and caring my rifle in hand, I don’t glass as often as I should.  Switching to a 2 point patrol style carry with a safari sling has me glassing at the rate I need to be for still hunting, but then means the length of the rifle is a pain when traversing terrain, thick vegetation, climbing over logs, crossing rivers, etc.

A short rifle carried safari style would allow me to maximize my hunting effectiveness and minimize my frustration.

I wonder if some of our members that have served in the military might have some good thoughts on this.

[buckfvr]

Not being 100% sure of my own opinion but right off the bat I feel as though any factory ammo made for 3oo wsm will have powder of a burn rate for 24" barrels and with the super short barrel you want, Im certain youd have a flame thrower, not a hunting rifle. No way that short tube is going to burn factory ammo powder EFFICIENTLY.  I believe you would have to experiment with faster burning powders far below what the book states for 24" barrels.  I doubt youd even find powder recommendations IN A BOOK for your application.   

[Russ McDonald]

Yes but if your going to hubt with it this year you better get on it.  I will raise the question though.  If you pin or permanenly attach a silence to say a 10" barrel and it come outnto over 16" that would remedy the sbr right?  I remeber somwwhere this was discussed.  Sbr in the military are for close quarter combat.  Longer shots are loner barreled 7.62 caliber or larger.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

[jrebel]

Two thoughts....and can't verify either but would look into before I went down the road your going down. 

1.  Monolithic bullets like speed and will not perform well unless you have decent velocities.  I'm not sure you can get said velocities out of an 8-10" barrel with bullets suited for an elk or suited for 350 yard shots. 

2.  300 wsm's performance is going to be greatly diminished in such a short barrel.  I think there are far better rounds to play with if seriously considering an 8-10" barrel.  Not to mention....holding on to a 300 wsm out of an 8-10 inch barrel would be fun to watch!!  Bet it bucks like a bronc even with a suppressor.   

I like tinkering....so if you have the money to throw at it, go for it!!  I want to see the finished product along with video of it's performance....you might be on to the next best thing in rifle chamberings. 

[kselkhunter]

If going with short barrel why get a magnum?  You're just wasting powder. 

I'm a fan of lever guns for western woods carry.  A Browning BLR  is a great choice.  BLRs are nice in that you can use pointed bullets (no tube magazine), and you could put a suppressor on it.  And plenty of caliber choices for elk.   They have nice stainless takedown models as well.  I like the 358 Win or 308 Win in the 20" barrel. 


Otherwise there are 20" barrel standard options from other gun manufacturers.  Some in bolt gun options.   


My western woods elk rifle in the thicker forest areas is a Marlin 336W that I had rebored to 356 Winchester, and I changed out the stock for the composite stock from Ranger Point Precision.  I use a red dot on mine, but some guys put a lightweight scope on theirs for better accuracy at the longer ranges.  My rifle is <6lbs as set up.  Great for carrying, and the recoil pad on the Ranger Point stock does a great job of absorbing recoil.    If I were buying new, I'd get the BLR in stainless takedown with 358Win. 

 

[fly-by]

You need to be sure your suppressor is rated for such a short barrel in a magnum caliber.

I'm doing a similar project but not as extreme:

Donor rifle in the safe - Remington 700 XCR in .300 WSM
Chassis on the shelf - Woox Exactus
Silencer in jail for a few more months - Silencerco Harvester Evo

Barrel profile will allow a 9/16-24 mount when cut back to a little under 20 inches.  1/2-28 threads are unsafe in my opinion, 5/8-24 results in too short a barrel.

If you are going to do a pistol or SBR build I would just go with a .308.