Any love for 300 winmag?

[JimmySticks]

In all the discussions I see about calibre choices I see very little about 300wm.

Admittedly my experience of active and/ or professional stalkers is limited to 2 or 3 individuals in Scotland, who all use the calibre extensively. It was for this reason, alongside discussion with my FEO, it is why I opted for it on a recent variation to increase my options for stalking. I already have .243, so 300wm seemed to be a good alternative for bigger deer or in variable weather conditions.

Does the apparent lack of discussion about the calibre indicate it's not very popular, or just that it's not one of the more 'controversial' or debated calibres?

I certainly seem to see far fewer secondhand 300wm's for sale, so finding good example might be tricky! Is that because people love them and hold on to them, or just that nobody uses them?

The guys I know that use them love them, and one of those guys is a professional stalker of 40 odd years!

I'm interested in the wider opinion of this forum, cheers

Jim

 

[Jon P]

I had a 300 Winmag for a few years- ( Mauser M12 Extreme)really liked the rifle and calibre. Very accurate. Sold it as also have a 30-06 and a 308 and I was not using it as much.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

A lot of noise and recoil for a deer thats no more dead than if it was hit by a 308/30-06/270.
Also it's a big cartridge for UK deer, they're only thin skinned. Can't help but feel a 7rem mag would be better suited, still up there in energy but a good chunk less recoil

 

[NullMac]

There are fewer second hand examples available because few people shoot them as you expected. I have never met a pro that shoots on they all seem to be 270 or some other easier to shoot medium calibre. I know of a couple of people that have shot them. They seem to think it is necessary for large Sika and Red stags. It isnt.

Perversely while the second hand stock may be smaller there is a good chance of finding a low round count tidy example. Most of the big magnums are sold because the shooter finds that they can’t actually shoot it so they make up another reason and sell it on. The round count is likely to be exaggerated, upwards!

 

[NoIDeer]

Perfect round for plains game in southern Africa, I've used one a couple of times. I really enjoyed using them and managed to get an open slot for one back here but never filled it. Not a needed calibre for hunting in the UK but if you want one go for it.

I would suggest a lesser 30 cal or 270 would be a better companion to a 243.

 

[Greenmist]

Shot a rem700 in an AI chassis that was chambered for it,very accurate and not unpleasant to shoot, it was replaced with a 7wsm which knocked the socks off it in every way

 

[Sol]

Its just not very useful cartridge for the UK deer species If your shooting boar I could see it being justifiable, I bet almost everyone that's owns one Is for range shooting and or plains game as mentioned.

I'm not sure the ballistics on it but I'm sure it retains energy and velocity pretty well out, might have a bit of use up north for reds at a bit of a pokier distance than the norm down south?

 

[provarmint]

I really like 30 cal magnums, used one for years, also have a 308win.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I'm another fan of the .300 WM. For most of my UK stalking I used .243 / .308 & .338 WM. A lot of people will recommend sticking with a .308 for the ease of ammo availability and the cost of ammo compared with a .300 WM. A .300 WM has a long or magnum action compared with a .308 which is a standard or short action, typically the .300 WM is going to be heavier and is going to give more recoil. Depending on your experience you may find the recoil from a .300 WM excessive.

I like my .300 WM and have used it for plains game in Africa, typically shooting 180-200 grain bullets, it will certainly shoot heavier bullets too, I've found it to be a very accurate round that shoots well over distance.

There is a lot of additional capability in a .300 WM over a .308, shooting red deer at long ranges (culling), the knock down effect is worth having in some circumstances, a lot of people would just pass on this option and stick with a .308. Personally I like to have enough knock down capability combined with fast flat shooting. I shot my .338 WM for over 25 years in Scotland and knocked down a lot of deer in remote areas at some distance. My bullet selection was 180 grain at speed. I'd recommend that ideally you try a .300 WM before you buy one.

I'm not sure of ammo selection currently available in the UK but reloading will give you a lot of choice, if it were me I would load with something like Barnes TTSX in 150 or 165 grain to get the advantage of a fast flatter trajectory with good expansion using copper ammo.

Good luck in making your decision and finding a new rifle.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

Not quite the same, but similar performance downrange, I have used my .300WSM for longer distance large deer for a number of years across a couple of barrels.
I really like the capability it provides, with excellent terminal performance even where ranges are 'extended'.

They are a definite step up from a .308, which is noticeably seen at extended ranges.

 

[Sakoodin1]

A lot of noise and recoil for a deer thats no more dead than if it was hit by a 308/30-06/270.
Also it's a big cartridge for UK deer, they're only thin skinned. Can't help but feel a 7rem mag would be better suited, still up there in energy but a good chunk less recoil

I chose the 7mm rm over the 300 and I love it!! It’s some calibre for deer

 

[JimmySticks]

I'm another fan of the .300 WM. For most of my UK stalking I used .243 / .308 & .338 WM. A lot of people will recommend sticking with a .308 for the ease of ammo availability and the cost of ammo compared with a .300 WM. A .300 WM has a long or magnum action compared with a .308 which is a standard or short action, typically the .300 WM is going to be heavier and is going to give more recoil. Depending on your experience you may find the recoil from a .300 WM excessive.

I like my .300 WM and have used it for plains game in Africa, typically shooting 180-200 grain bullets, it will certainly shoot heavier bullets too, I've found it to be a very accurate round that shoots well over distance.

There is a lot of additional capability in a .300 WM over a .308, shooting red deer at long ranges (culling), the knock down effect is worth having in some circumstances, a lot of people would just pass on this option and stick with a .308. Personally I like to have enough knock down capability combined with fast flat shooting. I shot my .338 WM for over 25 years in Scotland and knocked down a lot of deer in remote areas at some distance. My bullet selection was 180 grain at speed. I'd recommend that ideally you try a .300 WM before you buy one.

I'm not sure of ammo selection currently available in the UK but reloading will give you a lot of choice, if it were me I would load with something like Barnes TTSX in 150 or 165 grain to get the advantage of a fast flatter trajectory with good expansion using copper ammo.

Good luck in making your decision and finding a new rifle.

Thanks for this, a particularly helpful response. The amount of retained energy at distance is definitely something that attracted me to the calibre. I don't like to push range at all, and whilst having the option to when required will probably only help once in a blue moon, I sooner rather have that capability than not have it. The recoil does not concern me either. Ammo selection is a good point though, I could be making a rod for my own back there as I don't really want to bother with a reloading set up IF I can get away with it.

Jim

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I chose the 7mm rm over the 300 and I love it!! It’s some calibre for deer

So have I went 7 rem mag, then to 6.5prc and now 7prc

 

[Sakoodin1]

So have I went 7 rem mag, then to 6.5prc and now 7prc

I vowed to stay old fashioned and stick with the rem mag

 

[NullMac]

The amount of retained energy at distance is definitely something that attracted me to the calibre.

Most of which goes into the heather

 

[Outback]

I had one for years Winchester M70 Sharpshooter and a 22.250 thought I'd have all ends covered . Used it for deer and target shooting out to 1000 yds very capable rifle .
Resently spoke with a guy who has replace a 50 bmg with one for extended range shooting , the Americans like the 300 with a 28" barrel with 215 berger hybrids for hunting .

 

[6mmarc]

Love mine had it over twenty years

 

[dryan]

I used one during a week in Africa last year for plains game, a Howa 1500 which was moderated- using 180gr bullets I didn’t think the recoil was particularly harsh, it was a heavy varmint barrel version however.

After that trip, if I didn’t have a 7x57 I would buy one. Ideal for big reds allowing some reach, boar and plains game.

 

[Rob-E]

I had a 300WM slot that I was struggling to find a Tikka to fill. Eventually a Tikka came up in 7PRC so I put a variation in and that has become my main rifle.

 

[6pt-sika]

I’ve owned two of them that come to mind . The first was a Kimber 89BGR Super American purchased brand new that had a beautifully figured piece of walnut shadow line cheek piece ebony forend tip and the action was dovetailed for Kimber rings . Killed I think three deer with it using the Nosler 150 BT in a handload . The second I got later it was an early made Ruger #1B that I got used and I killed a couple deer with it as well . I might add at the same time I had this Ruger I also had #1B’s in 7mm REM MAG , 270 Weatherby , 300 Weatherby and 338 WIN MAG and I killed deer with them all . I’ve never been a great fan of ANY 30 cal nothing against their ability to do anything I just never was much on 30’s being more in the 6mm 6.5mm and 7mm way of things as well as the 338 cal .