.300 RUM

[Bocajnala]

I've been thinking of buying a rifle to build into a long range gun. Is this a good place to start? I don't handload yet. I'm in college still, so until I have room to do it, I can't really start. But is this a good place to start for shooting distance?
-Jake

[Ridge Runner]

Boca, nothing wrong with the ballistics of the Rum for long range
if it is accurate enough with factory loads (most are, but its a game of chance)
and if you have a good enough grasp on ballistics to use it
I see it all the time, guys buy a high intensity cartridge and are still in the learning process, and burn the throat out just about the time they start "gettin the hang of it"
I usualy reccomend a 308 for guys just starting out, and I really don't know what your knowledge base is, but if were on a budget, and had to buy a factory rifle to shoot long range, and had to have a 300 Rum, I'd buy a remington senduro and put a brake on it, for the simple reason that unless you have a spotter, seeing your impacts through the scope is a must, and a brake will allow this.
RR

[stubblejumper]

If you don't handload,the 300ultramag is not worth owning,as the factory loads are pathetically mild.You would be far better off with a 300winmag.

[Bocajnala]

I've already decided on the senduro now I'm trying to figure out what to get it in. Thanks for the help so far!
-Jake

[salukipv1]

In the Sendero SF II, I think the cartridge almost picks itself...

I'd pick the .300RUM over the 7mm RUM.
I wouldn't pick it in .264WM
7mm RM is an option, and is .300WM.

So that leaves you to choose between the 7mm RM, .300 WM, .300 RUM

I think my choice would be the .300 RUM.

I already have a .300 WM, but if I didn't and wanted one, I think I'd get a .300 WSM over the .300 WM today.

[Mojotex]

I wouldn't know from first hand anything about this cartridge, but .... I would ask, have you priced factory cartridges? You are talking $55 +/- around here for 20 rounds. Ouch !!

I put my $.02 in for either the 30.06 Spr. or the 308 Win. as a starter hunting rifle. I have been using centerfire for deer sized game since 1962. I have found no cartridge better for my style of hunting than the 308 Win. It has been my cartridge of choice for decades. Using 165 gr. quality hunting bullets either in my hand loads or some of the factory stuff that I have used, this cartridge has been used by me to take deer and feral hogs out to 375 yards, with (by far) most shots under 125 yards.

The 30.06 Spr. is arguably more versatile than the 308 Win., because the 30.06 Spr. case can handle the longer, heavier 180 gr. -200 gr. bullets better than the 308 Win. In the 308 Win. case, which is substantially shorter. These longer bullets take up space that could be used for a powder charge, limiting what the 308 Win. can do .

I also have another concern about the RUM line of ammo. This comment comes from a stinging, heartbreak that I had as a relative youngster. I saved and saved and bought a Remington Mohawk in 350 Rem. Mag. Man what a cool rifle for a youngster! And a heck of a deer and hog slayer. Then Remington decided to discontinue the cartridge and I was stuck with no ammo ... and not yet reloading. Even now, with Remington having "reintroduced" rifles chambered in 350 Rem. Mag. one would be very hard pressed to find brass .... much less factory ammo. So what ? In the past 4-5 years, I'd guess I have hunted with 100 different folks. I know of none using the 300 RUM. That says volumes to me about this cartridge ... and leads be to believe one day fairly soon, RUM shooters will be hand-loaders, and not by choice.

[Bocajnala]

I already have 2 .30-06's so I was looking to step it up a bit. Maybe the 7mm mag is something to look at than?
-Jake

[ipscshooter]

ORIGINAL: stubblejumper

If you don't handload,the 300ultramag is not worth owning,as the factory loads are pathetically mild.You would be far better off with a 300winmag.

What are you talking about? You must have just been using the Level I ammo, which duplicates .30-06 ballistics. Level II duplicates .300 Win Mag, and Level III ammo in the .300RUM is about 300 fps faster than the Win. and has an additional 700 ft lbs of muzzle energy. That's hardly "pathetically mild."


Velocity (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 100 200 300 400 500
.300 Win. Mag. 180 CLUB 2960 2727 2505 2294 2093 1903
.300 RUM - Level II 180 CLUB 2980 2742 2515 2300 2096 1902
.300 RUM - Level III 180 CLUB 3250 2988 2742 2508 2287 2076

Energy (ft-lbs)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 100 200 300 400 500
.300 Win Mag 180 CLUB 3501 2971 2508 2103 1751 1448
.300 RUM - Level II 180 CLUB 3549 3004 2528 2114 1755 1445
.300 RUM - Level III 180 CLUB 4221 3568 3003 2513 2088 1721


The RUM performs at the level of the most potent factory loads for the .300 Weatherby. I don't think there's a more potent factory loaded .300 Magnum on the market, so, unless your definition of "pathetically mild" is vastly different from the usual and customary definitions established in the English language, I'm going to disagree with your assessment...

[Colorado Luckydog]

I have several big game rifles. I can shoot them very effectively out to 300 yards. I don't get into the long range thing like ridge runner, mostly because of time and a good place to practice. However whenI purchased my 300 RUM it allows me to shoot very effectively out to 450 yards without a lot of long range pratice. You put it on the target and pull the trigger. Pretty easy. I know all of my rifles have more capability than I do but the 300 RUM really helped me increase my distance for a guy that just shoots once maybe twice a month. There is no way I would take a 450 yard shot on an elk with my 30.06 even though the rifle is capable. I know I'm not. However, I would not hesitate to take that shot with my 300 RUM.

[Bocajnala]

I looked at a few guns at a shop today, they didn't have a .300 rum in stock but they could order. I dont quite have enough money saved yet tho. Than I gotta save for a GOOD glass.
-Jake