Best 300 WSM?

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Franco

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I'm looking to buy a 300 WSM and I want (a) accuracy and (b) something that's short/light enough to haul around Western PA woods all day. Stainless preferred. I like the Remington Mountain Rifle but I don't think it comes in 300 wsm. Money isn't really an object but I would like to stay under $1,200 if possible (excluding scope of course). Thanks in advance.
 
The one without the "S" in the name. :neener:

I would (and did, chambered in .270WSM) opt for the Browning A-Bolt (don't care for the X-Bolt too much), but I ended up selling it due to the cartridge (just didn't suit me). Though the rifle was great. FWIW, I think Remmy is grossly overpriced for the quality that they are churning out right now (past rifles were pretty good though).

:)
 
I have an a-bolt white gold medallion 300 wsm... It's awesome and can put three shots into a penny at one hundred yards. Not that I can do that but apparently my gun can ;)
 
AB, do you have any experience with magnum variants of the new model Winnies? I have heard that some of the chambers are out of spec. (slightly out of round), whether that is common (or true) I don't know. If they are as good as their standard chambering rifles the are a very good rifle for the money.

:)
 
I don't.

These were the first rifles chambered in WSMs, AFAIK.

BUT, those were the guns made in the old plant, so I guess these Winchesters are a whole different animal, built using different machinery, on a different line.

Duly noted. I hope they are done right, because I've been strongly considering one in .300WSM as an elk rifle.
 
Tikka T3, I have had several different brands of rifles and I have to say this is one of the best. Under $500, using cheap factory Power Points I can put 3 rounds inside a penny at 100 yards. Very smooth action and very accurate.
 
The OLD Winchesters(just prior to FNH) were indeed rat poo at best, we had units that had bad chambers to scope mount holes either drilled/tapped crooked to not being drilled or tapped at all....I remember one that came in, we could not get the bolt handel to close enough to fire the rifle.

The NEW(FNH) Winchester's are fine firearms, every one we have sold has brought praise from the buyers. The two I shot at the rep show were pre-production and had no difficulties, the other two I have shot(customers guns) have been excellent and about accurate.
 
The OLD Winchesters(just prior to FNH) were indeed rat poo at best, we had units that had bad chambers to scope mount holes either drilled/tapped crooked to not being drilled or tapped at all....I remember one that came in, we could not get the bolt handel to close enough to fire the rifle.
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Good to know, looks like AB can look into that new model M-70 after all. I wasn't sure where I had heard about the chamber problems, but it was very likely the old "rat poo" variant. Thanks for the info, Mike.

I really like the new model Winnies, but I am not interested in any of their magnum offerings for a hunting rifle (but I'd love to see a 375H&H Mag.).

:)
 
I have owned remington's, a tikka 30-06, a ruger hawkey and now a savage 111 with the accustock. The Savage outshoots them all. The tikka was a close second and the remington is nothing to sneeze at. I just took my new Savage to the range and the group was a stallar .317" center to center group. WOW!!! I was extatic. The gun is light. The accustock is super rigid and free floated. I wouldn't ask for more. I'm officially a Savage man. I have a model 12 low profile varmint gun in 204. After shooting it, I bought another exactly the same. The first one shoots insided 1/2" groups and I assume the second one will as well. I havent shot it yet. My new 111 in 243 is a barn burner and I'm officially hooked.
 
Thanks. This is very helpful. The Kimber 8400 looks exactly like what I want. Looks like it would take some serious hunting abuse and I know that Kimber has a good name relative to reliability and accuracy. Tikka also looks good but I want to go a little higher end. Thanks again for the help.
 
Savage Arms 14, mine will do .2's at 200, the Kimbers are nice, but it won't be more accurate.:neener:
 
...Under $500, using cheap factory Power Points I can put 3 rounds inside a penny at 100 yards.
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wow...since a penny is ~ .6", subtract .3" for bullet diameter, you've got a .3moa rifle there. Most people are lucky to get that with a heavy barrel semi custom 300 shooting match ammo, even for $3,000...
 
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I have a savage 270 Win and really don't like it much. Probably a decent gun but the stock looks a little cheap and I can't hit squat with it. I won it in a firehall raffle.... So, fairly or unfairly, and likely the latter, I'm a little tainted against Savage.

Calling around now for an M70 or Kimber 8400.

Thanks again for everyone's opinion.
 
Wow, just googled for more reviews of the Kimber Montana and you would think that Kimber stole everyone's first born son. There was so much Kimber bashing that I'm having serious second thoughts. I've always had a healthy respect for Kimber pistols and just assumed that the quality transferred to their rifles.
 
Phew.

For a little while there, I thought I'd have to get a Sako. That's heap much wampum, as they say in Finland.

Of course, if I want a decent rifle in .260, I still have to get a Sako.

Can anyone explain why, to get a good production gun in an American cartridge, I have to buy a gun from an Italian company, made in Finland?:D
 
I think the Sako's are less expensive than the Kimber. I'm back to Browning Xbolt, WInchester M70 or Sako. I think I just need to go to the gun shop and hold all of them.
 
Can anyone explain why, to get a good production gun in an American cartridge, I have to buy a gun from an Italian company, made in Finland?
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NO, and I want one too, but the Sako isn't my favorite turn-bolt in its price bracket. I really wish that Winchester would add it to the list, I like it a fair margin better than the 7mm-08, it just fits that case size perfectly IMO. Winchester doesn't have a custom shop do they?

:)
 
I have a Remington Model 7 Whitetail edition in 300WSM. Awesome rifle. Small and lightweight also comes in a nice maple stock.
 
Kimber had a few problems with early versions. I've read it is best to avoid anything with a SN in the 12,000 range and below. Mine was bought nearly a year ago, SN 25,xxx and has been perfect. I got tired of messing around with different guns and took 4-5 guns into my gunshop in early December of 2008 and put them on consignment. After Christmas I walked out with $2,000+ and bought my new 308 Kimber and had $900 left over. It gave me 10 months to get used to the gun and figure out what it liked to shoot before hunting season.

It did take a little while to get good with it and find the right load. I think a lot of the Kimbers complaints come from people who do not know how to shoot a 5 lb rifle accurately and give up before they learn how to shoot the gun. It does take more attention to detail and good form. A heavier rifle is more forgiving.

Once settling on a load it likes I have not fired a 3 shot group over 1" in a long time. I usually get a few in the 1/2" range out of each range trip. I don't know if I can repeat it but my only 3 shot group at 300 yards went into a nice 2 1/4" triangle. I'll take that any day out of a rifle that weighs 5 lbs. 15 oz. with a Leupold 2.5-8X scope in Talley lightweight rings.
 
savage by a far shot! i have a model 16 stainless that will out shoot any production gun there is. cheap stocks but very strait shooting guns.
 
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