.300 Win Mag for whitetail

[casio02478]

If you worry about the recoil, maybe a Knoxxs reduce recoil stock will help you out. That is the route I am taking for my future 300 Win Mag hunting rifle.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

I have a .300 WSM that I use for whitetails. Everyone harassed me and said it would ruin too much meat. If shot through the ribs and both lungs, it doesn't ruin any more meat than a .308 or .30-06. I wouldn't want to hit a shoulder, it would be destroyed. (same with any rifle)

 

[bang_bang]

I recently bought a 300 Mag for whitetail and I am very pleased with its performance. I got the gun and a cheap Tasco scope for around $380 with a box of shells (Federal Power Shok 180gr.). So far I've taken two deer and a turkey with it. Doesn't mess the meat up any worse than my .270 or 7 Mag and the recoil is about the same as the 7mm. As far as bullets, Wal-Mart has the Federals for $14 a box. Compare that to the Winchester Silvertip Ballistic tips i shoot out of the 7 and .270, less that half the price. I pay $38 for the silvertips in my 7 Mag, so price isn't the issue for deer, only for Elk or Moose you might have to pay some money for a good round.

Get the 300!!

 

[bang_bang]

Oh, I forgot to mention one thing about the recoil. Mine is a Stevens Model 200 and every bit of 7lbs with bipods, scope, and full magazine. I'm only 5'6 and 170lbs and can withstand multiple shots with a tee shirt on. Recoil is not an issue with you.

 

[Twud]

If you can handle the recoil and shoot it accurately sure. Do you need that much power for deer, no. I occasionally shoot my 300 Wby for deer. I shoot a 180 grain Nosler Partition at 3,100 fps. As I don't want to ruin the front shoulders I always go for a lung shot. The 180's always go through and through and turn the lungs to jelly. It is a beast to shoot, and I never over do it at the range. You could get by with an 06 for Deer, Moose and Elk with no problem, but it's nice to have the flater shooting round just in case. I pole axed my one and only Elk and have never shot a moose, but I have killed critters in Africa that were every bit as big. If you want to save meat use the lung shot. If you don't care, go for the shoulders, you'll smash them both.

 

[Reyn]

I have a Ruger 77 in both a 300 and a 30-06. I shot a Whitetail last year at 30yds. It ran about 40yds. Damage wasnt anymore than my 30-06. I do grab the 06 more because it's lighter the barrel is 2in shorter,thinner and its not as top heavy.

 

[ZeroJunk]

I bought a Winchester Model 70 in 300 Win Mag.I am using the Remington Reduced Recoil loads for deer.They group surprisingly well. Next year I'll load or buy some full strength loads for an elk hunt.The full recoil is more than I like out of a tree stand, especially with the occasional opposite hand shot.

 

[stownsend]

Don't let all the massive recoil talk scare you. I am 6'-0" 160lbs (aka bean pole) and I can tell you that every time there is a deer in the cross hairs of my scope and I pull the trigger I don't feel a thing. At the range it might hurt if I went through a couple boxes of shell, but hold on tight to the gun (I wrap my forearm in the sling) and roll with it.
On a humorous side note, when you are hunting your buddies will always know when its you taking a shot because the report is so much louder than standard calibers.
I still think the best thing would be to shoot one before you buy it if you can. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Do some research on bullets too, there are a lot of new bullets that expand great and hold together at the higher velocities without breaking apart. As is preached around here all the time, shot placement is key so as long as you can hit where you are aiming at there won't be any issue with meat damage. Since you can get identical bullets as the 30-06 I don't see how the 300WM could cause more damage than the 06? The extra velocity isn't going to make that much difference.
Don't let the nay-sayers deter you, if that's the gun you want, then go for it.

 

[Geno]

bang_bang said it well. The .300 Win Mag really does not have a lot of harsh recoil. As most people who have read my posts know, I do have an electronic stimulator implanted into my spine. Even with that implant, at a mere 5'9" and 170 Lbs, I can tolerate the recoil of the .300 Win Mag with zero issues. If you find the recoil too much to shoot pleasantly, have a break installed. They are inexpensive and will reduce the recoil of a .300 Win Mag to the level of a .270 Win. I suggest hand loads with 180 Gr rounds for 100 yards or less, and 165 Gr loads for distance. Just as an FYI, I hunt Michigan's open bean fields, and so I set my zero at 300 yards. At 400 yards I am about 10" low and at 500 yards I am about 20" low. Between point blank distance and 350 yards I hold a normal point of aim. At 400 yards I aim off of the deer's spine, and at 500 yards I use the duplex post which measures 18". In closing, assuming your rifle does its part, you do your part, the .300 Win Mag will do its part easily to 500 yards on whitetailed deer.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

One of my favorites...

I whitetail deer hunt often with my .300 Winchester magnum. The rifle is a Remington 700 with a detachable magazine. The scope is a Burris 3.5 X 10 X 50.

150 grain Sierra Game King bullets (PMC Silver factory load) are my favorites. I don't notice excessive meat damage if shot just behind the shoulder or in the neck. I do notice a nice exit wound and lots of blood.

When I first got this rifle, I bought several boxes of Hornady ammo loaded with 165 grain soft points. I looked for MANY deer I had shot...not much of a blood trail. These factory loaded 165's were too hard for deer. They were not expanding, but they did penetrate fully making an exit hole the size of a pencil and leaving minimal internal damage.

Count the notches on the recoil pad...

 

[SpeedAKL]

I'd shoot a .300WM first before you buy. It's a big boomer, it's accurate, and it will certainly get the job done if shot well, plus it can take anything short of a grizzly or big bison. However, many people on here complain about the excess recoil versus a standard-length cartridge. I'd shoot it and see what you think of it first....you don't want to flinch and have a wounded animal.

 

[homers]

(ref post #28) "300 Mag for whitetail and I am very pleased with its performance. I got the gun and a cheap Tasco scope for around $380 with a box of shells (Federal Power Shok 180gr.). So far I've taken two deer and a turkey with it."

My question, how did the turkey do after getting nailed by a 300 mag?

 

[bang_bang]

I shot the turkey at the base of the neck at around 40 yds. I barley nipped the far side of the breast upon exit. Surprisingly it didn't decapitate the turkey, just blew most of its next off. I cut the breasts out of it and only ruined a small amount of the nipped side. An inch higher on the neck and nothing would of been ruined.

 

[moooose102]

ABSOLOUTLY NOT to much gun, i have shot several with mine. i only had to chase one, about 70 yards. it turns out that the cause of this was a 3" sapling that got between me and the deer! all the rest droped right where i shot them. one even flipped over backwards! i have no idea why this happened, maybe nerves?!? anyway, its got lots of stopping power, for anything you are likely to hunt. except in africa. and then there are those who would use it there. fred bear hunted rhino's with 2 sticks and a string!

 

[theNoid]

My pops has been shooting 300 Weatherby Magnums for as long as I can remember hunting with him. This being on whitetail, mule deer, elk, black bear, and the occasional yodel dog out there at 500yds. Of course, he has always reloaded his own rounds and shoots the appropriate rounds per the game and terrain as well.

Of course, this year he did end up selling one of his Weatherbys and ended up shooting his deer and antelope with my Browning BLR in .308. Fortunately I bought this gun from him before hunting season for $400 LNIB, because now he wants it back......ain't happennin' pops

Noidster

 

[Andrewsky]

I've fired A-Bolts back-to-back in .270, .30-.06, and .300 Win Mag. The .300 Win Mag had the least recoil in my opinion. The .270 and .30-.06 got sold.

 

[bang_bang]

I must say, just in the last month or two that I have had my 300 Mag, it is becoming my favorite rifle for big game. I am only 19 and have been shooting .270's and 7mm Mags since I was about 12. I've always been small in size, but never let that get in the way of shooting a gun. I've had the 7 Mag bloody my nose and bruise my eye and now kinda feel a bit of a flinch when I shoot it at targets. The 300 Mag doesn't kit near as hard or bother me shooting it. I can hit a quarter-sized circle at 80 yds with bipods with a $300 gun and a el-cheapo scope. I should of got one of these years ago!

 

[Markbo]

Perhaps least FELT recoil. Physics is physics and a bigger bullet moving faster creates more energy - in the front and in the back.

Cartridge (Wb + type) MV (fps) V @ 200 yds ME (ft lb) E @ 200 yds
270 Win. (150 Sp) 2850 2183 2705 1587
7mm Rem. Mag. (150 SpBT) 3110 2751 3221 2520
.300 Win. Mag. (180 Sp) 2960 2540 3501 2578

 

[xringer3]

The 300 Win Mag is not too much for deer. I've not seen different degrees of dead. If you reload, it's a very versitle round, as you can load it light for practice or less meat loss if you're hunting areas were the shots are close.

If you don't reload, then it's still versitle. Remington makes a reduced recoil ammunition that makes it more like a 30-06 or 308. You can use it in timber for close in shots, or stoke it up with the full power fodder for open range or larger game.

I see nothing wrong with your choice if you're confident in it.

 

[7mmRemMag]

300wm isn't too much. My dad uses it alot. I use of course 7mm. Love it. Recoil quite a bit less than 300wm. ruger 77 all the way. My neighbor uses 338wm for white tail just uses harder bullets that expand less.

 

[Alx98]

Hey 7mm, I'm also considering a used weatherby mark V synthetic in 7mm rem mag. I've heard good things about both the caliber and the gun. Plus this gun's only 500 bucks.

 

[Terrierman]

What do I think of Ruger M77?



What do you think.

 

[unreal45]

The 300win will do what you want it to, if you shoot it straight.

 

[7mmRemMag]

weaterby makes a nice rifle.

 

[Alx98]

Thanks for all your help guys. I think I've decided on a Browning A-bolt medallion in 7mm Rem Mag. It looks to be a gorgeous rifle, and its only 500 bucks.