My Dad has the browning in 300wsm with a leupold vx-2 3-9x40, great gun. I have the 7mm wsm in a ruger stain./ synthetic withthevx-L 3.5-10x50. If you get a short mag, just keep your eyes peeled atMidway USA; as they run sales on this ammo all the time. I get mine for about 15 a box plus shipping (not very expensive considering I would have to drive 20+ miles to get it myself). Good shopping and good luck!

In all seriousness, if the rifle will be used for elk only you can't go wrong with one of the stainless synthetic/laminate rifles from any of the major manufacurers (just depends on which one catches your eye and fits you best) chambered for 300 Win Mag. As far as optics go, you get a lot of scope for the money with the Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42.

Although I personally shoot a 338WM in a BAR, I would recommend whatever caliber you prefer from a 300WM to a 338WM with at least a 180 grain bullet and whatever rifle action you prefer. Put at least a 3-9 scope on it and practice your long shots from different field shooting positions (not from a bench rest). Figure out your own distance limits and then have fun.

If I had the money, I'd get a CZ 550 American in 9.3 X 62. Not b/c I need it, but b/c I want it!

FC,
Good point. I'm surprised at the number of hunters that don't recognize the pitfall. It is a nasty surprise to have the object of your hunt at your disposal in front of you and all you have to do is shoot it and then you unsling it and pull up your rifle for the shot and the bolt is open, the chamber round is long since laying back on the trail somewhereand your action is full of twigs, leaves, dirt, and crap.... classic blown opportunity....

Then again Remington safeties don't have a great reputation to begin with (suddenly firing whenswitched to "safety off" AND the ":coming open in the field" factor).Fortunately the after market makes a nice three position safety for the 700's like as is found standard on an M-70 or Kimber.... the way a rifleman's safety should be IMHO.

Fundamental....

260 for elk? Seems pretty light.

I'm also thinking that aguy who a) doesn't shoot rifles much and b) by virtue of location can't *use* rifles much might not want/need a big-time long range cartridge like 338-378 wby that he'll have to spend $100each timehe buysa box of shells. Ditto the 338 Lapua. Holy smokes - I can't believe nobody suggested a 50 bmg.

I think a more sensible, realistic approach is something in the 7 mag - 300 mag - 338 Win Mag range. 338-06 or 35 Whelan would also be good choices. Or, even though it pains me to say it: just a plain old 30-06.

As for the rifle brand, Ruger offers a quality product ata reasonable price. And it's dependable. It'll take anything you can dish out.

And some guys go to a great expense to make them look like Model 70's when that is what they should have purchased in the first place. I don't mind the sliding safety but I wish the d&&nb bolt would lock. The trigger is enclosed as well where dirt and debri can accumulate creating an unsafe trigger. The new XMark Pro trigger is more open which will alleviate this but it is still not as clean as a Mauser,Winchester or Ruger trigger. The other downfall to a Remington is it's propensity to not feed right especially when using stubby cartridges..they seem to pop out at inopportune times. Magnum calibers have the rivetedextractor that can break if there is debris on the bolt face. STandard calibers of newer manufacture do not have a rivet. The extractor button which can freeze if not maintained properly and which is ignored by 90% of owners of 700's. Bottom line this is a complicated mechanism and there are simpler more reliable pushfeeds out there.

I can agree control round feed are better for the stubby rounds like a 300wsm but the rest IMHO is bure b.s.
Who in there right mind would have thier gun slung when walking thru thick stuff ,when by very nature if you're in it the gun should be unslung to begin with. Remingtons go bang when the safety is switched off when someone that doesn't know what they are doing adjusts the trigger. That can happen to just about any firearm when a nimrod starts to tinker.
I'm not shilling for any one gun maker , I own or have owned Weatherby, Ruger,Remington,Sako,Browning,Savage and Winchester over the years. I might be going out on a limb but Remington 700's in one for or another have probably accounted for more game in a bolt rifle than any two other combined in North America.

I Actually CRF is not a great system for short stubby rounds ..I know it because short of a Tikka I have owned every rifle that chambers a 300 wsm in existence. CRF prevents engaging another round when you have a live round in the chamber. Don't think so then see what African Dangerous game hunting rifles use surely you don't think they use Remington 700's do you?



You don't have to walk thru any brush it will come undone sooner or later. happened to me toooooooo many times to believe what you say.



Nothing to do with tinkering although at 6lbs a trigger will be safer as set by the factory...they are a closed design dirt or debris gets in there and it will AD.Just read their owner manual and trigger maintence which most don't bother with .Look at the lawsuits they have had and the redesign of their safety system. While your at it research Xmark Pro triggers which are more open in design and safer in response to their trigger problems.


No doubting that . The fact is it ihas to be maintained and certain areas checked on a regular basis for it to be used. Extractor clean,Ejector function, trigger clean and free of debri etc etc.

I see a couple of problems with this logic:

1. the rifle was slung over the shoulder
2. A round in the chamber while the rifle was slung

I personally never do this while I'm hunting. If my rifle is slung there is never a round in the chamber. If there is a round in the chamber I carry my rifle at the ready position.That way I have complete control of the muzzle.

I always lower the firing pin on a empty chamber for two reasons.

1. I can confirm that the rifle is completely safe (no way a empty rifle with a lowered firing pin is going off accidentaly)by looking at the firing pin or in a pinch I can even fill the firing pin and know that its down.

2. You eliminate the chance of a hang fire. In freezing weather condensation can freeze around the firing pin. If the pin is in the cocked position when you squeeze the trigger you can get delayed locking or failure to fire. Conversely, if the rifle is carried with the chamber empty and the firing pin unlocked the mechanical camming of the bolt should bust any ice that may have formed.

The added benifit would be that the bolt is unlikely to come open considering the added force needed to cock the firing pin, thus no worry of sticks and leaves etc........

when in thick cover or stalking close to an animal you can quietly chamber a round and carry it in the ready position.


Do everyone, including yourself, a favor and do not trust any mechanical safety. The best safety is the one between your ears.