300 Win Mag Hunting Rifle Questions

[codefour]

A little back story. I grew up hunting and shooting in rifle competitions. Years ago, I shot in 1,000 yard rifle competitions and Service Rifle. Last November, I went on my first elk hunt in the great state of Wyoming. The shortest shot of my hunting group of ten hunters was 250 yards. The average was 300-400 yards. The only shot I had was 567 yards according to my Leupold range finder. I did not feel right taking the shot. I was hunting with my trusty 30-06. I had only shot my 30-06 to 400 yards.

My target rifles are a custom built Remington 700s in .308 and 300 Win Mag. They are too darn heavy to take hunting at 7-9,000 feet. Plus, they are too expensive. I like the Remington 700. I know it well.

My question: I am looking for a good quality bolt rifle in 300 Win Mag. I am sticking to 300 Win Mag. I have gallons of brass, dies, and all the reloading equipment for it. I do not want to start loading another caliber. I am not recoil sensitive. I have shot many hunting rifles in large calibers, including the 458 Lott. I am sticking with 300 Win Mag. I am not worried about optics. I will buy good glass for it. I know the importance of good glass. Its more important than the rifle in many cases. I am not too concerned about weight. As long as it is under ten pounds with good glass. I carry my rifle in a scabbard on my pack. A pound or two extra never bothered me. I am a large man.

I am not 100 percent sticking to Remington either. I like Winchester and Sako. Sako are expensive. Sako and Tikka are hard to find in No. California. I am looking to keep my budget for only the rifle to around a grand. I do not know anything about Savage Arms. I know they were in the toilet for a while but apparently have made leaps and bounds in quality. I have not heard of anything bad about Ruger rifles but I do not like their trigger design. I will put a Timney in what ever rifle I get if I have to.

I am going to buy new production. I am not interested in hunting down a used rifle. If I found one great, but it is not going to be my objective.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance for any comments.

 

[notaglockfanboy]

Might check out the Howa line of rifles. They are great shooters with a great out of the box triggers and they wont break the bank. Lots of different configurations to choose from. I don't personally own any savage rifles but the ones I have shot are good shooters as well. Good luck in your endeavor.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I second the Howa/Weatherby V2 rifle line. You can probably find one pretty light from them for carrying around. I like the Vanguard Back Country, but it might be edging close to your budget.

After that, I'd look at Tikka. My buddy just got one in .300 Win, but I haven't got a chance to shoot it yet. With the internet, you can find a rifle and order it from anywhere, so hopefully you can find any Tikka locally to play with, even if it isn't the exact model you want.

I haven't heard a bad complaint about Savages either (at least in person) so I wouldn't be afraid to look. If you want an accurate rifle that you aren't afraid to beat on, Savages are tough to beat.

Rugers are excellent but seem so heavy compared to their competitors, but that could be just me. I was under the assumption that their triggers were very similar to Winchesters, at least on their M77 line.

I really like Browning and Winchesters as well, but I feel they are overpriced compared to other manufacturers.

Here's a wildcard... maybe wait until one of those new Mossberg Patriots come out. My brother's MVP had one of the nicest triggers I have ever used and the gun just felt right. I was shocked with the quality of a Mossberg rifle.

 

[MCMXI]

You might consider a Kimber Montana or Classic Select if you prefer wood. Street price for the Montana is around $1,100. Kimber rifles are 100% US made if that's important to you. The Winchester M70 Extreme Weather is a good rifle too but it's quite a bit heavier with the B&C stock. I just sold my EW in .300 WM and will replace it with a Kimber Mountain Ascent in .300 WM when they ship in July.

 

[jmr40]

If the want a lightweight rig, and are not recoil sensitive look at Kimber. My 308 is still under 6 lbs including scope and mounts. A 300 Mag will be roughly 1 lb heavier.

This is what I'd do.

I'd look for a decent deal on a used rifle of my preference, or even one of the Walmart specials and put it in a McMillan Edge stock. You should be able to do so and come very close to your $1,000 budget. It will be less expensive than a Kimber or Sako.

While I certainly like my Kimber, it is in 308. A sub 7 lb 300 WM is just too light in my opinion. You should be able to put together a rifle/scope/mount combo in 300 mag that comes in just under 8 lbs in a standard weight McMillan. If you go with the lighter Edge stock it will be closer to 7.5 lbs. That is a good balance of light weight for carrying with enough weight to shoot well and make recoil manageable.

 

[jehu]

Get the Sako and only cry one time.

 

[HexHead]

Check out a Weatherby Vanguard S2 rifle. They have a match grade 2-stage trigger and a sub-MOA guarantee right out of the box. Though you're not recoil sensitive, their stock design helps reduce felt recoil. Weatherby is a CA company, so you shouldn't have a problem getting one.

 

[MCMXI]

*A sub 7 lb 300 WM is just too light in my opinion.*

Have you ever shot a Montana in .300 Win Mag? Montana and Mountain Ascents are among the softest shooting rifles on the planet and with many common scopes and rings weigh about 8lb (the weight you suggested in your post). I don't see the logic in buying expensive aftermarket stocks that cost upwards of $500 when you can buy a turnkey, fully engineered system for around $1,100. I sold both of my Winchester M70 Extreme Weather rifles recently because they were poorly machined and too heavy and it made no sense to invest $500 in better stocks.

 

[Casefull]

Have you ever shot a Montana in .300 Win Mag? Montana and Mountain Ascents are among the softest shooting rifles on the planet and with many common scopes and rings weigh about 8lb (the weight you suggested in your post). I don't see the logic in buying expensive aftermarket stocks that cost upwards of $500 when you can buy a turnkey, fully engineered system for around $1,100. I sold both of my Winchester M70 Extreme Weather rifles recently because they were poorly machined and too heavy and it made no sense to invest $500 in better stocks.

I agree. I have custom hunting rifles but have turned to the Kimber stuff on the last three. You get the great components for a fraction of the price.

 

[Ankeny]

There was a time when I swore I would never own a Savage. Both of my long range rifles are Savage Predator models. One is a 6.5 Creedmoor, the other a 6.5-284. They are nuts accurate and they get the job done. This comes from a guy who has owned Cooper, Dakota, Sako, customs by Krieger, Pacnor... and the list goes on.

I like to dial but there is nothing wrong with using the reticle to correct for distance. I have Nightforce and S&B scopes on my varmint guns, but my hunting rigs have Zeiss Conquest scopes with Kenton Industry dials. I am putting a Leupold VX3 CDC on a 7mm-08 for use out to 500 yards. Just be sure the scope tracks well if you dial. If you use a bullet drop reticle (like Leupold B&C) just be sure you know exactly where it hits. I hold for windage rather than dial. Good luck.

 

[climbnjump]

If you wanted to stick with Remington, they do have a fairly new Model 700 they call the "Long Range". I think it came out a little over a year ago. It does come in .300 Win Mag but at 9 lbs, it would probably be over your limit of 10 lbs with a good scope. Street price on these is around $700.

Copied from their web site:

Key Features:

- Bell and Carlson M40 tactical stock – solid urethane stock, combined with aramid, graphite and fiberglass
- Aluminum bedding block for added accuracy and an extra swivel for bi-pod
- 26” heavy varmint barrel with matte finish perfectly matched to its high-velocity caliber offerings
- X-Mark Pro® externally adjustable trigger system set at 3½ lbs., and featuring super-tight tolerances and mirror-like surface finishes

 

[Fremmer]

If Winchester makes a featherweight in that caliber, you might check one out.
The kimber rifles are also light.

 

[JMS920]

My choice would be the Winchester Featherweight. I see one on Gunbroker with a buy now for $820. Shipping $25. My dealer charges $25 to transfer. Saving the sales tax (7%), I save $7 overall.

 

[codefour]

Thanks for all the replies. Notaglockguy and JeeperCreeper, I never thought to look at Howa/Vanguards. I like Weatherby's customer service. They stand by their product.

I forgot to ask, how important do you all think stainless steel is? This rifle will be hunted in the snow and probably rain as well.

JMR40, I know Kimber rifles are top notch for the money. The Kimber 8400 Magnum lists at 6 lbs, 13 ozs. That is pretty light for a larger belted magnum.

MCMXI, Kimber rifles do not ship till July? I wish there was a store locally that stocked Kimber rifles to view one. They are not common in Northern California where I am stuck living.

Ankeny, I have not ruled out Savage. I like their Long Range Hunter. It looks promising.

JMS920, I am looking at Winchesters. I do not know if a Featherweight is the way to go. The Featherweights are listed as the same weight as the Ultimate Shadow and extreme weather.

I really wish Remington's quality did not become questionable. I have some older, short action 700 Remington's that I inherited that are just so well made. They shoot great but are not the caliber I am looking for. The hunt goes on.

 

[MCMXI]

MCMXI, Kimber rifles do not ship till July?*

I was referring to the new Mountain Ascent in .300 Win Mag. You can buy a Montana, Classic, Classic Select or Super America in .300 Win Mag today.

 

[WVRJ]

I haven't seen the quality problems that Remington seems to have in any of their rifles that I've seen over the past year or 2.But maybe they're out there.Weatherby/Howa,Savage,Kimber,the new FN/winchesters,most any company is building a decent hunting rifle in 300WM.My favorite elk rifle is an older (circa 1990)Remington 700FS.Personally I like the 700 platform,but you can find a lot of options out there.Stainless is a good idea,most of the elk hunts I've been on left me tired enough at day's end to want to do something besides lovingly wipe down a beautiful rifle.They tend to get beat around a bit in hard country,so for me,the toughness of stainless and synthetic stocks are mandatory.The most beat up rifle I have is my elk rifle.

 

[sage5907]

I think you have your head screwed on straight and you'll find what you're looking for. Out of curiosity I looked up the Montana Rifle Company standard rifle and it weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces. The best place to find a Montana on the internet seemed to be to go to Google and type in Montana Rifle Company 300 Winchester for sale and when I did I found one of their new extreme weather versions for sale for $1250. Something to think about.

 

[codefour]

WVRJ, I am definitely going with a stainless/synthetic setup. I inherited my 30-06. It is a hundred year old Mauser 98 that was converted after WWII. My grandfather bought it when he came home from the Pacific in the late 40's. It still shoots 0.5 MOA all day. I do not want to beat it up any more. I fell in a snow drift a few times and the rifle landed on either thick, scratchy brush or a rock. I do not want to beat up a family heirloom.

sage5907, I never thought to look into a truly custom build? I am going to contact Montana Rifle and see what they can offer and what their turn around time is. I like the Winchester action too. Thank you for the heads up.

 

[sage5907]

codefour, just look up Montana Rifle Company on Google. Their website shows all of their variations including all the specifications. The reason I suggested going to Google looking for news rifles for sale was that I saw the Montana extreme weather stainless steel version of the 300 Winchester for sale in Mississippi for $1250. That may be cheaper than what you could buy one from some other sources. It would be worth looking around for a good deal once you decide what you want.

 

[nastynatesfish]

Id look for a sendaro or a Ti model. They are great rifles. Why not just build one? Get a pawn shop rem for 400. 300 in the barrel and a good hunting stock? That's what I do. I'm a 7 mag shooter. My rifle as I hunt with is 13lbs

 

[Garrobo]

My elk rifle

is an old P-13 Eddystone Remington Arsenal battle rifle from WWI in .300 H&H magnum. It weighs 10 and a half pounds with a 6-power scope. The stock seems to be an old Bishop and the barrel could be from anyone since the rifle is probably 50-75 years old. I don't question it. It will consistently shoot within two or three inches at 300 yards if I can hold it still enough and I have never had to take an additional shot and that is fine with me. The rifle cost me $125 in 1975. Goodluck with your venture.

 

[d2wing]

My choice would be Tikka, Weatherby, or Remington.

 

[Balliet]

i inherited a vanguard that my father in law used for hunting out west. i believe that is the smoothest action/best trigger combo. its still factory stock.

 

[holdover]

I just got a Remington 700 Long Range in 300 Win mag, weighs about 9 lbs with out scope and mount for 703 delivered it is Model 84164, I believe. Just sighted it in with handloads, did a 1/3 MOA group at 300yds with no work on the rifle other then torqing the TG screws . If I was going hunting at 500 yds plus I would carry that rifle. heavy , yes , accurate for sure. You can checkout the target, by looking for my posts. It is not a very pretty rifle, but it will get it done for 100s less than the Sendero.

 

[codefour]

Thank you all or the replies and I apologize for the late response. I was planning on hunting down a hunting rifle last week or two. I had a small financial set back that was out of my control and decided to wait until things smoother over. We have all been there.

nastynatesfish, I like the Sendero. It is similar to my 700 target rifle. It is a tad heavy. With a good optic, it would weigh 11-12 lbs. But the Sendero comes with a great stock and a NICE fluted target barrel. It is just a tad too much for lugging in the woods at 7-9,000 feet. I considered it a lot. I was thinking would later I hate that decision if I did outfit one?

Balliet, I am looking into Weatherby as well. I love the Mark V, but that is exceeding my budget. I have heard nothing but great reviews regarding the Vanguard though.

Holdover, the Rem 700 Long Range is a great rifle. They are tack drivers. I am really torn. I like a more target profile barrel, like a #3 or thicker. The typical sporter barrel and less resemble a pencil to me.

I am going to scour LGS's this week now that I am able to shop and plop down cash. Thank you all very much for your recommendations. Shoot straight and often.