What's the best bolt action in .300win mag

[hunterman247]

My dad and I are planning an elk hunt in 2 years to Colorado. We're both needing to get rifles yet. I've been doing a lot of reading and getting some peoples opinions as well, and I think I have my search focused on the .300 win mag bolt action. What I'm trying to find out now is if there're any recommendations as to what brand of gun and piggybacking that then what model to get. I know some are known to not have very smooth slide action in the bolt, wood stock vs synthetic, things like that. Any opinions/advice would be welcome.

 

[groundhog34]

Try a used weatherby mark V in 300 weatherby mag. 300 weatherby is a hair more powerful than a 300 win mag. weatherbys are very accurate. they are on gunbroker for about $1000

 

[WYcoyote]

The original, of course. The Rifleman's Rifle. That's the one I chose.

Winchester Model 70

 

[homers]

Tikka T3
Ruger M77
Weatherby Vanguard synthetic
Savage 111 or 116

 

[ontarget]

Remington 700 for me every time.

 

[Liberty1776]

My Remington 700 synthetic. You can spend a lot more - even with Remington - but you won't get a better gun. JMHO>

 

[9X23WIN]

The original, of course. The Rifleman's Rifle. That's the one I chose.

Winchester Model 70

Agreed!

 

[GJgo]

While it doesn't *really* matter with any good modern rifle, I'd consider a) reasonably lightweight b) weatherproof c) I'd spend more of the budget on a really good low light 3-9-ish scope.

I have a 300 WM & a 300 WSM. FWIW, the WSM is lighter, has the same ballistics in Elk loads, and kicks quite a bit less...

 

[Gromky]

M1903 Springfield.

Oh, you mean chambered for it in the factory! From the little I know, I would probably just go for a Remington 700 if I were to have to buy new.

Remember that when people say "reasonably lightweight" they mean "moderately heavy." With a 9 pound rifle (including scope), 3-4 boxes of .300 ammo over a day or two off a bench starts to get uncomfortable for me personally. That will obviously be influenced by stock design as well. I don't think any of the rifles mentioned will be under 7 pounds scoped and loaded.

 

[stownsend]

Another vote for Winchester Model 70. That's what I have and love it.

 

[Abel]

Go pick up some rifles and get a feel for what you like.

I could narrow it down to two. The Browning X-Bolt & The Winchester M70 Featherweight,

 

[28lx]

The good thing about the 300 Winchester is its popular. Just about anybody who makes a bolt gun chambers it for this round. Cant go wrong with a Winchester M-70 Remington 700 ,Sako, Savage,Ruger,T/C Icon ect. Buy the rifle that feels good to you. As far as stock material thats personal preference I like blued steel and wood but I also own a few stainless synthetics. Keep in mind that for one helluva long time all rifles had wood stocks and performed fine. Seal it good with wax and you wont have a problem in any weather. As far as recoil it is determined mostly by rifle weight bullet weight and powder charge weight. If a 300WSM fees like it kicks less than a 300WM with say for example 180 grain bullets its most likely the stock fits you better on the 300WSM. Recoil between the two cartridges is near identical.

 

[Remmy700]

If weight is not a big deal to you then get a Remington sendero or 5R 300 win mag if you can find one for a good price. If weight is an option I would get a browning Abolt or winchester M70 300 wsm

 

[hunterman247]

thanks guys for the input. I just went today and saw a Winchester M70 Extreme. Synthetic stock. I liked the feel of it and the bolt moved nicely. Here's a question about some of the brands listed. I've heard like the Rem 770 is one to stay away from but the 700 is good. Are there any in Savage, Browning, Ruger, etc. to stay away from or any of you would recommend
. Thanks again, as of yet, I don't think I can get to much input on this!

 

[Geno]

What I like about my Weatherby Mark V in .300 Win Mag is fast follow-up shots if needed. To my understanding, the Mark V action remains the strongest bolt made for shoulder-fired rifles. What I like about the M70, is the controlled round feed. Although, none of my Weatherby rifles ever has failed me in any way. The world is your oyster...which make and model rifle fits you best, is the best for you.

Geno

 

[SwampWolf]

My choice would be a Ruger MKII. I've used Ruger Model 77s (I currently own four of them but none chambered in .300 Magnum) for decades and have never experienced a moment's worth of trouble with any of them. Accurate, reliable, tough, affordable and well-made. The only criticism I've ever had with them is that some of the older ones were cursed with "lawyer" triggers. I hear that the triggers on more recent MKIIs are much improved.

 

[Durty]

You opened a can of worms for sure. Any of the well known brands will be fine. I like the idea of getting the one that fits you. Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Savage, Tikka, and a lot of others have their own following. They are solid, reliable rifles. I personally own a Rem 700 chambered in 300 win mag and its the t*ts. Love it. But Remingtons fit me very well in general. To each his own, I say. But without question, invest at least 300 bucks on glass. Don't go real cheap- especially since you have time. Also, the more animals you kill with it before you go, the more confident you'll be in your gun and yourself. I have killed a lot of random stuff with my 300. Lol. Birds, squirrels, whitetail, some black cat that was crossing our field, a jackrabbit, 2 hogs, and I think that's about it. Oh and several axis does. And 1 axis buck actually. (not a big one)

 

[WYcoyote]

Models I would avoid:
Mossberg 4x4
Rem 770
And all rifles even resembling these.

 

[Daniel Boone]

My first choice would be a original pre 64 Model 70 Winchester.

My second choice would be a pre 1980 Remington model 700

I would not have any problems using a older model 110 Savage or it's likeness

I wouldn't even have any problems using a Ruger.

I would not buy any new Remington, I would be hesitant of buying a new Winchester - but if I did - it would have a wood stock and not a piece of plastic. I would not be ashamed of owning a new Ruger or a new Savage as long as it was not a piece of junk.

If it is cheap - it is junk in my honest opinion.
I would stay away from the Steven's brand also.
You get what you pay for.

Too many people puts their trust in the caliber of the rifle and less in the actual brand or model. They figure that as long as it is chambered in their favorite caliber that they are all the same.
Would be like trying to compare a Corvette and a Chevette - they were both made by Chevrolet - but I would only want to take one of the above - past 100 mph.

 

[langenc]

As GJgo said--300 WSM in a Tikka T3 with 3x9 or 2x7 scope.

Shoot it 3 or 4 boxes of ammo before the hunt on several range trips. Get some kind of bipod and practice with that extensively.

 

[critter]

I have a Win M70 in .300 Mag that works very well for me. I would have no problem with a Rem 700, a Ruger 77. Not that the others are less of a gun, but I just don't have experience with them.

 

[Big7]

Ruger!

 

[courtgreene]

I never thought I would use this sentence, not having a time machine, but: I disagree with daniel boone. I agree with most of those who said just shoulder a few of them and see what feels right, but not all budget rifles were created equally. The stevens model 200 proves the truth in that statement using mr. boone's own words. On one hand he said that older savages are fine. On the other he said not the stevens. Problem: a stevens IS an older savage. The only difference is the name on the bolt. Feel free to research how the stevens line came to be, but it really is just a renaming of the older savages that are marketed along side of the newer designs. If you buy one and replace the stock, you have a great rifle for a great price. Mine out shoots my rem700, and the 700's pretty stinking good. Trigger jobs help the stevens when done right.

 

[pikid89]

i will go against what the others are saying to a degree
I agree on the bolt action, just about any modern bolt action will do you fine, barring a few select (or unselect lol) models like the rem 770 etc...
if it were me i would go with a ruger m77 all weather ( i have one in 270 i love)
the part i dont agree on is caliber.

you should be just fine with a 308, 30-06, or a 270 (with the right bullets). countless elk have been killed with those and in the end you will have a much more versatile and easier to shoot rifle than a .300 win mag, not to mention far cheaper factory ammo

 

[don]

WYcoyote, what is wrong or bad about the Mossberg 4x4? I was thinking of getting one. I would appreciate your input.