Move up to 300 mag
 

Couple questions. I have a 7 mm mag and a 35 Whelen and am thinking of trading up to a 300 mag. The rifle will be used for elk and moose.
1. Is the move necessary?
2. What rifle would you reccomend? (would like something in the 6.5-7 pound range).
Looking forward to your comments.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Going from the 7mmremmag to a 300win mag will gain you some energy but the difference is not all that great.A 6.5lb 300winmag will however have substancial recoil.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

I agree with stubblejumper.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

I think you are well equipped with what you have. At least where moose are concerned. The Whelen is as good as it gets. The 7 Mag is every bit the elk gun as the 300. Just my take on it. I have used the 280 for both critters and never had one not go down. There is nothing wrong with the 300 Win Mag. I would prefer it by far to the 7 MM Mag. However if you have the 7 Mag and you like it then it will do about anything the 300 will do.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

I like the 7 Rem. mag. better than the 300 Win. Mag., why? because of two reasons. First i don't like recoil, and 300's recoil more than 7 mags.'s. Secondly, i've yet to see a 300 Win. mag. kill anything better than a 7mm Rem. mag...

I've used them both a LOT on Alaskan game, and in the field the 300 Win. mag. hasn't shined over the Rem. 7 mag. for me!!

If you choose the "right" bullet for the job, it's a wash, so why put up with more recoil??? Less recoil = a gun that's easier to shoot more accurately.

Drilling Man

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

recoil wouldn't be too bad in that size rifle with a 300wsm.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Contrary to what people might have you believe,The 300wsm recoil is not much less than that of the 300winmag.I compared a tikka t-3 in 300wsn to a remington 700 in 300winmag and the tikka actually felt like it delivered more recoil due to the lighter gun weight.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Choosing between a 7mm and 300 magnum is like picking heads or tails on a quarter. The animal you are shooting at will never know the difference. The result will still be a dead animal. 24 thousandths of an inch is not a whole heck of a lot to be worried about. 160 grain 7mm bullet vs a 180 grain 308 bullet. The difference at 400 yards is equal to a 17HMR. Not too much huh.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Since everyone is kind of discouraging you here, let me say it another way.

You don't need it, based on what you have now. Just like everyone else has posted.

However, you should absolutely get it. For crying out loud, why not?!! And I wouldn't stop there - - really, I DIDN'T stop there. Your not gonna get one in your next lifetime, might as well do it now.

JMHO

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Had a 7mm rem mag love it, got a 300 min mag love it too.....do you need it- no, but do you want it is what you wanna ask yourself. Personally i dont own a gun that dont let me know its there when i pull the trigger... if you want something to really put a lickin on a moose or elk look at the marlin 45 70 guide gun.. got one last year and didnt use anything else all season.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

YES!!!!! Everyone should have a 45-70. I have three so far. What a thumper!

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

I will have my new bouncing baby Browning pistolgrip BLR 300 Win Mag in March anyone have any thoughts on how to accurize it or season the barrel. I shoot only Barnes bullets.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

the 300Win mag IS bigger than the 7mag, the logic argueing they are the same would also say that there isnt any diifference between a 243 w/ a 105 gr bullet and the 25-06 w/ a 120gr bullet so then 243 must also be equal to the 7mag w/ a 150gr, we all should know there is a difference. Having said that the 7mag is great for elk, the 300 is just better. The 35 whelen is a good thumper too. If you like your 7mag, like your 35 whelen, then you'll love a 300win mag, its right in the middle, shoots flat like the 7mag, thumps like the 35 whelen.:DEnjoy it, my experience is that the rifle and load will be a bigger factor in recoil than the difference in caliber. All three of these calibers can kick.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

I think you already have enough gun. As stated earlier, you won't gain much by going to a 300 over a 7mm.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

IF you want a new toy, go get the 300. as most have said 7mm will do the job!

I had a 7, thought I needed a new toy, got a 300WSM, I like it don't get it wrong.

7 would have been plenty!

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

I would say all would depend on your usage of the gun. If all your shots are under 200yds your 35 whelen is all you will ever need. Elk, moose, or kodiak even. Is there enough of a difference to switch to a 300win mag over a 7mm rem mag. If you buy factory standard loads and only can shoot short ranges, there's no need. If you reload and stretch the range out to 400yds, yeah maybe the difference is enough depending on your bullet selection. I'm a reloader myself and I love the 300 win mag. It in my opinion is one of the best calibers ever made for a all around gun. My set up is pushing 11 pounds and it doesn't kick. Buying any magnum in a light weight mountain rifle class is just punishing. I don't like the noise of recoil reducers so I prefer to have the extra weight. Maybe its just me but hiking the mountains with the extra weight just don't phase me. If I only shot distances under 300yds and had to pick a moose/elk gun it would be a 375 h&h mag. But then again sighting it in will not be as pleasant as the 300win mag.

RE: Move up to 300 mag
 

Thanks for the help.