RE: factory barrel life
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2 1/2" at a1000. Who needs a 300 RUM to kill anything on the Continetal US at a 100 yards. A 300 Tomahawk will shoot a 240 SMK at 2860FPSwithout any problem. Thats putting them in a 1/4" group at a 100 reguarly. at 1000 yards that bullet is still going 1725FPS with 1499FtLbs of energy. Thats almost as much energy as a hot loaded 25-06 shooting a 100 grain bullet at 200 yards "1563FtLbs with 3186Fps at the muzzle. The 300 big mag is a Barrel burner for sure. I'm not complaining about barrel life I only expected 1000 rounds anyhow. Heck yea it will still be as or more accurate at a 100 yards than anyone would need but it gets amplified the longer distance you shoot. Spend another $500 dollars and your back in the accuacy buissness. A small caliber rifle being able to do as much as a magnum I don't think so! I like them all and own them all but the magnum definatley has it's place. Go to biggameinfo.com and play with the ballitistics calculator. You'll be surprised what velocity and BC do for bullet path and energy.
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In 2003,a1000 yard record was set with a6mmBR, a long ways from any magnum. So the small calibers can shoot well at long distance too. Magnums are great, and I own a few, but they do have their downfalls such as shorter barrel life, louder report, and sometimes leading people take attempt long distance shots at game much further than they have any good ethics should allow.