Best .300 magnum?
 

Only say 10 years ago it seemed that there were 2 .300 mags, the .300 win mag, and the .300 weatherby, now we have the .300 WSM, .300 RUM, .30-378 wby. I'm surprised at the popularity of the .300 RUM, the .300 WSM isn't as much of a surprise to me, since it gives your a short action .300 win mag essentially, which is nice. But the .300 RUM seems like what we already had, a .300 wby? Was the .300 win mag that bad we needed a .300 RUM? Can you get a .300 RUM that much cheaper than a .300 wby? How much difference is ther ein the price of ammo? Do like the beltless WSM and RUM though, just surprised by the success of the .300 RUM, so the 2nd part to the question, which is the best/your favorite? Any reason why?

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

Not really. First the 300RUM doesn't have the useless belt on the case. The RUM case has about 15% more capacity than the WBY mag so it is able to produce higher velocities if you reload. The only problem with the RUM is that factory loadings are pathetic. This is so with all the RUM factory loadings. [:'(]

For instance Federal lists the same 180 grain barnes TSX as 3150 in the RUM and 3110 for the WBY.

But in hodgdons reloading manual they list the same speer SPBT at 3300 for the RUM and 3171 for the WBY.

Yes, ammo is generally 10 - 20 dollars cheaper per box and a Remington 700 is generally a heck of a lot cheaper than a Weatherby MK-V.


In a 30 caliber magnum Iprefer the 300WSM over the RUM, Win, WBY. I am no fan of belted cases unless the belt is needed like on the H&H cases, 458 Lott &Win, etc...
IMO the RUM is too much of a good thin. It has too much case capacity for the .308 bore diameter. IMO that muchcase capacity is better suited to .338 and larger.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

Why is a belt needed on the H&H? or any cartridge for that matter?

Aren't rem 700 about $700 or $800?You can get a MK-V for.....under $1000....

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

The belt is needed on an H&H case because of the gentle (long)shoulder angle. It isn't sufficiently steep enough to headspace on.

On a straight wall case such as the 458 Lott there is no shoulder so the belt provides the "shoulder" for correct headspace.

On a bottle necked cartridge like the 300 Winchester magnum there is a shoulder to headspace on. But the cartridge headspaces on the belt. But only until that case has been fired and formed to the chamber dimensions. So in cases like these the belt is not needed and only redundant.



The 300RUM can be had in a Remington SPS which retails for$530 new.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

I classify the 300's into two categories. The large capacity high velocity (Warbird, 30-378, 300 RUM) they can handle the 180 grain bullet like the others handle the 165/168 grain bullets. The 300 win., 300 WSM are more suited to the 165 class with less recoil, less case capacity and lower velocity with a similar size bullet. The 300 Weatherby kind of falls in the middle.

The 300 RUM is based on a 404 Jeffery's Case necked down to a 308. Though most think of the 180 grain as the bullet to match with this cartridge, I like the 168 barnes. It turns this 308 into a 22-250 ballistic bomb. The Warbird will still out do it but not by much and doesn't cost $5/cartridge to shoot like the Warbird.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

I like the 300 WSM. Short action, doesn't really kick at all. Plenty enough power.

If I need more power.... I'll use the 330 Dakota.. although some posters (here comes a cheap shot) prefer the .340 Weatherby for some reason :eek::D

I do like the 300 dakota as well, at least on paper because I haven't shot one. It, like the 300 RUM, is built off a .404 Jeffrey's case... although the Dakota was here first I believe... but I don't have my book in front of me to confirm or deny that.

Honestly in my opinion if you need anything more than a .300 Win Mag you ought to be shooting a .338 class cartridge... if not a .375.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

Just checked out the Rem. SPS. they can keep it! (rem that is.) Is it just me or is that one of the ugliest rifles out there? That's like there all weather conditions rifle... XCR....those grey rubberized grips.....another ugly one in my opinion. Now of course a rifles should first shoot straight, 2nd. handle the elements, 3rd look pretty. Though I feel no rifle can score a 10 in 2 of those categories, and a 0 or 2 in a 3rd category. Can also get a weatherby Vanguard in .300 wby, to compete with those rem 700....or SPS models. To each their own, I won't be buying an XCR or SPS. Seriously if i was given that rifle, i'd sell it.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

I think guys more than ever are obsessed with the flattest shooting rifle.....I think if people knew how their cartridge shot at a given distance, they wouldn't need a flat shooting cartridge. I don't mind compensating for a round, I remember a while back a guy said just point and shoot, or was talking about, being dead on at 200, and at 400yds being like a few inch difference, cant recall the specifics but he was way off on the drop of his bullet. Guess though if you dont know range, a flatter shot will help you, but i tend to know range, and bullet drop, and drop that bullet right on target.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

You asked. I just provided the answer. Don't get mad at the answer. I never said it would win any beauty contests. ;)

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

Not mad at all bigbulls, just responding, I knew the gap between rem and weatherby was probably larger than I though it was, though a nice remington will be closely priced to a nice/cheaper priced weatherby. though 700 vs 900 or 1000 might be a huge gap.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

I know. Just kiddin around.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

I ownan SPS in a 2506 rem, it may notwin theprettiest contest but it handles well and shoots like a damn. If my pretty weatherby shot anywhere close to how it shoots i'd probably still own it;). .

A shooting friend of mine bought a pair of weatherby vangaurds "Roy edition" the desert stock with blue barrel...I think don't think they are to pretty either but that is just my opinion. Being a Howa they shoot/function well. His beef is cost and availability of wby brass (especially the .257).He doesn't want to make his own cases, prefering to have the proper headstamp on the cartridge.So instead gets"Bent Over" [:o]! Something wby owners are accustom too though.

As far as the best 300 for the vast majority of hunters the likes of 300 or 300wsm is more then enough. From my perspective I like the 300 wm better due to its ability to handle larger for caliber bullets better.

For those who need and can handle the powder burners the 300 RUM would be my pick as it is at least reasonably priced forthe performance upgrade and finding components or ammo (god forbit if you don't reload these supercharged 300's) is more readily available and won't require a second mortage to shoot enough to be able to benefit. Though like mentioned the RUMs are a reloader cartridge and IMO not even worth considering if you don't reload.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

Well my ugly (in your Eyes) shoots pretty darn good. Remington 700xcr. I like the inserts in the stock.It all comes down to personal preference.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

Skeeter? Your weatherby doesn't shoot well? anywhere close to your SPS?

Swampcollie I'm going to buy a .330 dakota, shoot it, and raffle it off on here, haha. I'm sure it's agreat round, just wish it was more readily available. Maybe weatherby should take it over.....haha.

Just saw hornady has a .338 and .300 RCM based on the .375 Ruger, but shortened and in .338 and .308, not sure we need a 300 short mag again, but here's a short .338 short mag and is not the .338 federal which doesn't count! haha. Hope the .338 RCM doesn't beat the .340wby, might have to buy one then.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

You'd do no such thing. I'm tell ya bro.... once you shoot that thing you'll put down that horse pistol .340 Wby for good. She is one mean machine!

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

I kind of partial to the 300 WSM after having the 270 WSM..

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

Best for What? There all good, I think? I have a couple and like them all. Heck I couldn't even say which one I like the best. Long range target shooting I like my 300WSM Longe range hunting I'm pretty partial to my 300 Tomahawk which is a 300 RUM Improved shooting a 240SMK at 2990fps. 300 Weatherby is a good dual purpose target and hunting. And how can you forget the 300 Win Mag. Shoot, everbody ought to have a couple 300 Mags laying around.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

"Best" depends upon what you're going to hunt with it.

I think for any big game in North America, as side from possibly dangerous game, .300 WM has proved its to be one of the most versital and widely accepted magnum .300 ever introduced for that purpose. It also has been around long enough and many hunters use so that you have a pretty wide selection of factory ammunition to chose from. From my own experience hunting Elk with the .300 WM Tikka T3, I'm thoroughly convinced I don't need another rifle for that purpose or if I were to hunt moose or caribou in Canada, that would be my choice.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

I HAD a 300 wby and yes the SPS shoots much better then it ever did. It wasn't that the wby was terrible, I just expect better then an ave. of 1.5-2" groups at 100 yards! I bought the SPS(which is chambered in a 25-06 rem) as a starter rifle for up and comers in the fold. The price was right and fit the bill, so I figured what the heck i'll give it a go. So far no regrets. Well actually I have one Remington doesn't offer the SPS in LH version.Being a southpaw if they did offer such a beast I'd buyitstwin for myself;).

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

ME TOO.

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

For a Colorado Mule Deer hunt I bought a .300WSM.I shoot Federal ammo and they offer the same number of load choices for both .300WSM and .300WM.I went with the .300WSM because it produces the same ballistics as the .300WM with less recoil. As posted earlier, If I want .300RUM or .300WBY power, I'll shoot the .338 so I can also shoot 180gr-250gr bullets.

I looked at several rifles and went with the Rem Model 700 Stainless SPS. I couldn't justify anotehr $200 for the Model 700 XCR when I don't hunt near salt water. The WBY vangard stainless is butt ugly!

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

I have seen this topic before and it always goes this way. Someguys are happy with the old wm, some guys like the new ultra mags. I have shot the300s and like them all! They all have there pros and con,and everyone who has a favorite will back it too the end. I like the rum but not becauseI think it is so much better than the wm. It just makes alittle louder bang andkick! I like that

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

Traditional 300H+H or .308 Norma Mag............................dead is dead........................Harold

RE: Best .300 magnum?
 

I dontthink there is a clear cut best .308 mag. Everyone is going to have preferences and their own opinions. I have a few to choose from......300 Win, 30-378 Wby Imp, 300 WSM, .308 Norma and 300 Wby.The later is what I use the most. Is it the fastest? no, is it the prettiest? no it's just my favorite of the bunch.