hmmm....which 300 then?

[dougestyle]

After the 300 RUM recoil thread, I'm a little scared of it. I like the 300 RUM's ballistics-but they won't help any if I can't shoot the gun well. I'm looking for a long-range 30 cal. for some hunting and long range shooting. I've shot a 300 Weatherby and didn't think it was bad on recoil at all. Now that was shooting off the front of my friends truck (redneck style..lol). If I were to put that same gun on a bench it may be brutal. What 30 cal. would you guys reccomend that will still reach out there, but will not kill me on the bench. Or is there a way to calm that RUM down a little (i.e. recoil pads, muzzle breaks, etc.). Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If you run the .300 magnums through a ballistics program against a .30-06 or .308, you'll see that at any reasonable hunting range, the magunm's advantage is only a few (a very few) inches less drop.

If you're talking about shooting at a range, where the distance is known, there is no advantage at all -- and the .30-06 or .308 will not be nearly as jarring to shoot over a long string of shots.

 

[ugaarguy]

dougestyle, the high power rifle guys shoot 30-06, .308, and even .223 out to 600 meters with aperture sights - no scopes allowed. A good rifle in 30-06 or .308 will handle more than most people realize.

 

[Oldnamvet]

For the 600 yd range you just have to be sure you have about 15 clicks of elevation left in your sights after sighting in at 100 yds. People frown on "hold over" shooting.

 

[vmfrantz]

If the 300's are to punishing I'd go with the 30-06. And if you hand load you can almost load the 06 to be comparable to the 300 winchester mag. if you would want to go that route.

 

[MachIVshooter]

After the 300 RUM recoil thread, I'm a little scared of it

My sister bought a 700 VLS in .300 RUM last spring. With the new R3 recoil pad, that thing didn't belt me any harder than a lightweight .30-06.

My .375 Ultra with the old style recoil pad is a different story. That thing literally rattles your teeth launching 300 gr. pills at 2970 FPS.

 

[bearmgc]

I have a 300RUM with muzzle brake and kickeez recoil pad. Recoils like a 30-06. I only use it to hunt elk sometimes for flatter trajectory at longer ranges, yet I still wouldn't try for anything over 300yds.Its also been better insurance in Grizzley country. Most of my elk have nevertheless been harvested with a 30-06 or 45-70 with a shorter barrel in the woods at less than 100yds. A 180gr NP in 30-06 or 300gr Partition Gold in 45-70 is more than adequate for elk. For 30cal, you can't beat the 30-06 in most respects.

 

[ArmedBear]

700 VLS, with scope and rings, weighs well over 10 lb. That also helps tame the recoil a tad.

It's true that Limbsaver/R3 pads are great things.

For target shooting, though, you have several concerns:

1. Recoil -- you want to be able to shoot a lot without getting physically tired or psyched out.
2. Cost -- if you want to punch paper, you don't need 1000 ft.-lb. at 800 yards. Big rounds are expensive, even to reload.
3. Barrel burn -- high-powered rounds wear out barrels faster. If you want target-grade accuracy, that gets expensive.
4. Target loads -- For some reason, there's a lot more out there for .30-06 than .270, for target shooting. .270 is a hunting round. Magnums can be similar; only big game hunters buy enough of the things to drive the market. Handloads depend... You'd have to research the particular round you want.

For hunting...

1. Weight -- guns get a lot heavier after an hour or two
2. All of the above, unless you have a spare "practice gun" in a saner caliber.

Depends what you want to hunt.

Plain ol' .30-06 will hunt deer farther away than one probably ought to shoot 'em. Bigger beasts, though, might be best shot with bigger bullets.

 

[USSR]

Shot my .30-06 in 1,000 yard F Class competition all this year. Shooting a 190SMK at 2920fps, I never felt undergunned.

Don

 

[taliv]

300 Spartans

 

[SoCalShooter]

I love my 300 weatherby its accurate and got a great punch for hunting...took a shot last year...and was at quite a range much more than I thought it was originally and the round hit behind the animal once we ranged it the round hit behind the animal at 600 yards.

 

[Jim Watson]

The only .300 magnums I know of that have been much used in Long Range target shooting are the old original .300 H&H, .300 Win. Mag., and .30-.338.

By the time the current crop of gimmick magnums came out, the target shooters had gotten tired of being kicked and most have shifted to the 6.5-.284 or even down to various 6mms.

 

[pinotguy]

I'd vote for 7.82 Warbird, .308 Norma Mag., and 300 Pegasus. The first two aren't that common but they hit like a ton of bricks - especially the Lazzeroni. The third one is just like its namesake - rumored to exist. But if the numbers are to be believed it gets a 180-gr. bullet up over 3500 FPS.

The 7mm STW would be a decent choice for a "common" caliber.

 

[MCgunner]

If you run the .300 magnums through a ballistics program against a .30-06 or .308, you'll see that at any reasonable hunting range, the magunm's advantage is only a few (a very few) inches less drop.

If you're talking about shooting at a range, where the distance is known, there is no advantage at all -- and the .30-06 or .308 will not be nearly as jarring to shoot over a long string of shots.

I agree with Vern. The one reason I can see to get a .300 over a .308 or .30-06 is to deliver more energy from a heavier bullet to a bigger target. It'd probably be a little more effective on moose or something that size at longer ranges.

If you want flatter trajectory and more energy with some good bullet weights and WAY superior BCs, consider the 7mm family of magnums. That's exactly why I got a 7 mag over a .30-06 or the .300 Win Mag. and it's softer on the shoulder, about like shooting the 06 really, not bad at all. I do wear a past shield when bench shooting that cannon, though.

 

[CB900F]

Doug;

Here's another perspective on it. When I was looking for another gun, 'above' my .30-06, I took a look at all the .30 caliber magnums. I concluded that none of them gave me enough more than my current .30-06 to justify the approximate $1,000.00 or more for a good gun and glass.

I opted for the .338 Winchester magnum instead of the .30 group. True, it's not a speed merchant, but looking at the S/D and B/C's, plus the trajectory compatability with my present hunting guns, it was a clear winner.

For what it's worth, my opinion, if you want a .30 magnum it's the .300 Winchester that's the most practical overall in the belted category.

900F

 

[rbernie]

I like short action bolt guns, I only hunt in the CONUS (and not many places there outside of Texas), I handload to match the bullet with the game and distances, and I limit myself to not taking a shot over 300-350 yards.

That means that if my 7.62x39 isn't enough, I'll step up to a 308. If the 308 isn't enough (like for shooting 180gr and up bullets), I'll step up to a 300 WSM. If I can't get it done with that, then I shouldn't be taking that shot.

 

[IV Troop]

This pic is of my 300 Win and a 300 yard test target. It is a savage action in a McMillan A5 stock with a Leupold MKIV 6.5x20. It has shot consistently into the.3s @100 and .9s @ 300 so far. I am happy with that kind of acuracy and see no further need for load development. I am deployed right now and have not had a chance to shoot it further. The 100 and 300 yard stuff was simply during the process of load development. Sometime a load looks promising at 100 and the really opens up further out. Generally speaking if it shoots well at 300 yards it will be fine. With this particular setup the total weight is right at 15 pounds and is easy to shoot. Would not be my first choice for hunting though due to weight. Of course the style of hunting you do will dictate what is acceptable weight.




This is last years deer I shot at 598 yards (lasered). It was shot with a 308. I lasered the deer, made the cosign angle adjustment and dialed in my glass. Then I did it all again to double check my numbers before I touched the trigger.

The 308 was plenty. The deer was standing broadside and I had complete penetration with the 165 HP gameking directly where I put the crosshairs. Bang, Flop.

Precision rifle shooting and long range hunting is not a matter of buying a "magnum" and guessing at distances. You need to become an accomplished long range marksman before you EVER take a shot at a game animal at long range. You should have enough respect for the game you are hunting to ensure a quick clean kill. Anything less is unnaceptable.

Below is an example of the type of "hunter" that gives long range hunters a bad name and is also an example of why the majority of rural westerners hate californians. It gives the ethical hunter from california a black eye and is why folks with california plates on the pickups are routinely not given permission to hunt our private land.

This is slob hunting defined. If you are shooting so far away that you are missing the ENTIRE animal, then you have no buisness shooting at all.




SoCalShooter wrote:

"I love my 300 weatherby its accurate and got a great punch for hunting...took a shot last year...and was at quite a range much more than I thought it was originally and the round hit behind the animal once we ranged it the round hit behind the animal at 600 yards."


Back to the subject of cartridge selection.


The 30-06 will very likely do all you ever will need to do in the hunting field. I have killed a dozen elk with one shot a piece with a lowly little 270. I cannot even begin to guess the number of mule deer that have fallen to it. I would suggest,as others have, the 30-06. It is a fine all around big game cartridge and if I was limited to only owning one hunting rifle, it would likely be the old '06.

Velocity will never be a substitute for marksmanship.

 

[dougestyle]

Lots of great information guys...thank you. And well said iv troop. I have a lot to consider I guess, but with all of this expert knowledge, I should be able to make an informed decision. And to answer one persons question, all I hunt is deer out to about 200 yds. The long-range part was just for paper- don't want anyone to think a novice is trying to shoot a deer at 500 yds. or something. IV troop said it best about respecting your quarry. Thanks again to all.