Author Topic: nead help with 300 whisper 300/221 in a contender (Read 1360 times)

SLAVAGE · « **on:** March 18, 2005, 10:30:17 AM »

ok im lost here
thers 300 whisper an 300/221
whats the difference?
what one is better?
what one is easyer to load for?
an can you load either or with the same set of dies

thanks for the help
dave

singleshot · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2005, 11:16:27 AM »

The 300 Whisper is a proprietary name from SSK (JD Jones). It is a 30 caliber projectile on a 221 Fireball case. My understanding is that the SSK barrels had a 1:9 twist to allow stablizing the 200+ grain bullets at subsonic speed. The 300/221 is the same cartridge but only those licensed by SSK can use the name 300 whisper. Most other barrel makers of the 300/221 have 1:10 twist barrels and you can only stabilize bullets upto about 180 grains. The same reloading dies work with either the 300 whisper or 300/221. As long as you are using lighter 30 caliber bullets (less than 180 grains) it would make no difference which you have. In other words, unless you have SSK barrel or a TC barrel licensed by JD Jones to use the name 300 whisper, you must call it a 300/221. Ed

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2005, 11:31:44 AM »

so dollar for dollar i would rather have the 1-10 twist that way i can shoot every thing
an the dies are my choice

JD HHI 6092® · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2005, 01:42:29 PM »

If you want to shoot all bullet types you'll need a 1-8 barrel twist. I have an SSK 10" barrel with is twist that shoots all bullets weights great. The 220 grain bullets at subsonic speeds are super accurate out of my barrel and recoil is mild.
I used to own a 300/221 barrel by a "custom" barrel maker that is now out of business. It never shot any load I tried accurately. The stud spacing was off and a Pachmayr forend adapter never fit. They refused to fix the barrel but offered to drill out the adapter :shock: so it would fit on the barrel. I ended up selling the barrel and buying a "real" Whisper barrel.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2005, 02:06:19 PM »

ok few more questions if you guys dont mind sence im blind when it comes to this

221 cases are used but so can a 223 just with more trimming i bleave?
um would useing 221 case shoot better or just less time to cut down
all so
would be useing match grade 223 cases help at all or sence your trimming an reforming defeat useing them?

JD HHI 6092® · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2005, 02:57:21 PM »

Your correct, using the 221 cases is less work. If you have Hornady 300 Whisper dies, just run the case into the die, load and shoot.
I use Redding 300/221 dies so I have to do an extra step. First I expand the brass with a 7mm resize button then I have to swap it out of he sizing die with the 30 cal button.

HotGuns · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2005, 02:50:12 PM »

Ive got a .300 Whisper top half on my AR-15 and it is suppressed. I use 240 grain Sierra Match at 1050 FPS. It has a 1in8 twist and is very accurate.

With that being said, I initially loaded up with 221 cases. The only problem is that its a lot of stretch to neck up to a .30 cal and you will get a high percentage of split necks.

I got off of the 221 cases(which are harder to find) and now use .223 cases. I cut them off at the shoulder with a cutoff wheel that I adapted to a key cutting machine and it takes me about 3 seconds to cut on off..with hardly a burr.

Then the case is run through the die and thats it. I have never had a neck spit yet and Ive done close to 1000 cases.

I used military surplus cases which you can buy cheap just about anywhere...the only drawback is that you have to ream out the primer pockets as they have crimps. If you dont they will smash your primers and you will get erratic ignition...dont ask me how I know that... :eek:

The surplus stuff is tuff. Seems to be a lot tuffer than the .221 cases. I have a few hundred that I have shot over a dozen times with no failures.

Yes its a little work, but well worth it my opinion...

Doc T · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2005, 03:10:06 PM »

You can also buy factory loaded ammo from Cor-Bon and there is some guy on all of the major auction sites that sells pre-formed brass made from .223 cases. I have two 10" and a 24" T/C Contender barrel and a 16" AR upper. I stick with the light stuff and shoot the Cor-Bon 125gr or handload with Hornady 130gr Single Shot Pistol Bullets. It is one of my favorite rounds. I think I am going to try some Nosler Ballistic Tips in 125gr. next.

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2005, 04:14:52 PM »

Doc;

How do you like the whisper in the 24" barrel? I have been planning on having a carbine barrel made up also, i already have a 10" stainless Whisper, and want a carbine to go with it. I have not yet decided on a barrel length; having tried your 24 " barrel, is that the length you would choose again?

I am either going the 22 / 24" route in a tapered barrel, or the other extreme, a 16 1/2" Bull. Either way, it will be in stainless, and since i dont plan on shooting very heavy bullets, the slower twist will be fine for me.

Would be interested in hearing your thoughts...Thanks!

Doc T · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2005, 04:42:18 AM »

The ONLY thinig I don't like about the 24" barrel is that it is too front heavy when you carry it on your shoulder with a sling. The sling stud on the forearm is not far enough down the length of the barrel and the muzzle tend to head south. I need to get a barrel band and mount it past the forearm and that would fix the problem. Right now I carry it with the muzzle down and the stock up.

I think an 18-21" barrel would be perfect. As it is , it is still my favorite carbine barrel yet. With Cor-Bon 125 gr ammo, it will shoot a one hole group at 100yds. My 130 gr Hornadys and 110gr bullets also shoot good, but not a one hole group.

jcunclejoe · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2005, 09:00:41 AM »

There is some good information about the differences, or not differences on the SSK website.

I have 2 TC factory contender barrels in 300 whisper. One is a 10" and one is a 14" Both are 1-10" twist. The 10" has stabilized up to 220gr Sierra round nose bullets as long as the velocity is above the speed of sound. My normal load is a 200gr Nosler Partition at 1170fps. I only switched from the Sierra because they were (for me) cheaper and available in town without ordering.

My 14" barrel had trouble stabilizing 168gr HPBT's subsonic and would not shoot them well even up to 1250fps. I switched it to 155gr HPBT's and it shoots great at 1300fps. I may try to slow them down to about 1200fps.

If you would like to shoot the heavy bullets slow then go with an SSK barrel. The faster twist will also work well with the lighter ones.

If you don't mind shooting supersonic and don't want to shoot over 200gr then a TC barrel should work just fine.
Good luck, shoot well and often.
Joe Cullison

Steve P · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2005, 03:55:35 PM »

You can cut down the .223 or 5.56mm brass and use it, but you may have to turn the necks as the brass will be thicker. Found out trying. Went back to 221 brass and sized in several steps. Neck splitting now almost nil.

Good Luck,

Steve

HotGuns · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2005, 04:44:10 AM »

Ive heard that but I've never had that problem with having to turn the necks. Might be specific to some make of brass.

Ive been considering a 10" barrel for my contender. Due to the twist of the Thompson barrel, are there any known loads that will stabilize subsonic loads ?

A threaded 10" barrel that is suppressed might be fun to shoot if its accurate...