Thinking about a .300 win mag

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have two left handed sons in law that shoot 300 WM and one has a Browning A Bolt and the other has a Ruger M77 MkII. I did load development for both and very quickly found loads that produced 1 MOA or better accuracy. You can find these rifles on GB for a reasonable price.

If I were looking to add a 300 WM type cartridge to my collection, I would give strong consideration to a 300 PRC.

 

[DG870]

I recently purchased a slightly used Browning A-Bolt 300 WM. I owned a 300WM 30 years ago and killed a few deer with it but traded it for a 338WM. I have a 30-06 in a Tikka T3 that is a good shooter, is light and easy to carry and holds 5 rounds in the extended magazine, and I question why I bought the 300WM.

I guess I bought the 300WM because it was cheap because the 300PRC is attracting new buyers so there are a lot of good deals on the 300WM. We’ve probably noticed that the industry is changing and now belted cases are bad so the trend will continue.

It’s a great cartridge, but as others have pointed out its just a faster 30-06. If you plug both sets of numbers in a ballistic calculator the 300 adds from 150 to 200 yards to the 06 to get the same down range energy.

On the plus side you get a little more range and it handles the 200+ bullets better. On the downside they are typically heavier, recoil harder and the magazine capacity is less (usually 3 rounds).

 

[Desaad]

I just traded that 300 win mag for an older Remington 700 in 270 wsm. But new in box.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I'm thinking about a left-handed 300 Win Mag. Does anyone have any ideas?

@SSG Joe
Depending on budget Savage make some nice left hand rifles. They were actually the first to recognise they were missing out on sales by not making LH rifles so started making them. The rest is history.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have a left-handed Savage 110 in 30-06 right now. I'm looking for a 300 for larger plains game in South Africa.

@SSG Joe
Easy fix
Change the bolt head
New barrel
Same gun
Save money and 15 minutes to do the job
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hi Ryan!
Thanks for the input. I currently own an older Savage 110 in 30-06. It's good to hear you took some of the animals that I have on my list with a 30-06. (Eland, Greater Kudu, Bushbuck, Nyala, Impala, and Springbok. And if I have time, Zebra.) I'm planning on a 10–14-day hunt. I'll have to get in touch with the outfitter about what I can expect in average shooting ranges.

Thanks for your insight; I appreciate it.

@SSG Joe
Just load up some 180 gn north forks or 220gn core lockt and go have fun.
Bob

 

[WI-2021]

To me, using both the 30-06 and .300 WM was a little redundant, made more so by also having a .308. I sold the 30-06 and kept the .308 and .300 WM. The 30-06 could have covered all bases, but the rifles I have are very different between the .308 and the .300. That said, I haven't hunted Africa yet, so I'm making no claims as to the relative effectiveness on Eland or plains game in general.

I'm also a lefty and keep a relatively close eye on what's available. I didn't see a budget for your purchase listed. Currently available rifles I'm aware of include Savage (Axis and 110), Tikka T3x, Browning X-Bolt, Ruger M77, Blaser R8. The new Beretta straight-pull rifle is also available in .300, but I haven't seen one yet. I'm sure there are others, plus many used options.

I ended up building a "custom" Remclone for my .300. The sky is pretty much the limit there since most of the action manufacturers make LH versions. Stocks are a bit more limited, but there are still many options.

Since you already have a 30-06, maybe consider a .375 to complement it rather than a .300. The lefty options dwindle somewhat, and recoil increases some, but it's still manageable.

 

[SSG Joe]

@SSG Joe
Depending on budget Savage make some nice left hand rifles. They were actually the first to recognise they were missing out on sales by not making LH rifles so started making them. The rest is history.
Bob

My 06 is an older Savage 110. I got a good deal on it. It shoots real well.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My 06 is an older Savage 110. I got a good deal on it. It shoots real well.

@SSG Joe
Now all you need is a 35 Whelen barrel for your Savage and your set.
Bob

 

[SSG Joe]

I haven't heard enough about the 35 Whelen to have an educated opinion about it. Is it basically a necked-up 06 case?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I haven't heard enough about the 35 Whelen to have an educated opinion about it. Is it basically a necked-up 06 case?

@SSG Joe
Plenty on this forum about the Whelen.
It will do everything the 338 win mag will out to 400 yards without beating you up.
A 35 cal 225 grainers leaving the muzzle at 2,900fps will reach way out yonder and deliver a big hit.
The 250s at 2,700 fps for bigger stuff that needs a bigger hit
For up close a 310gn at over 2,400fps is a lot of bone crunching power.
All these loads will deliver 4,000+ for of muzzle energy everytime you pull the trigger.
The Whelen is a tower of power in the 06 case.
Bob

 

[Jhsmith]

@SSG Joe - certainly .300 win mag is one of the most popular and useful .30 cal magnums ever. I am also a Lefty and considered one but went with a .30-06 as the real power difference is so minimal that I enjoy the less recoil of the .’06 more. I’ve used Sako LH and Browning Abolt LH and both have been very accurate (sub MOA for 3 shot groups at 100 yrds and accuracy holds out to 200 yrds, with factory ammo). I like both the Sako and ABolt push feed actions because of the short roatation on the bolt — very fast to cycle. I’ve read that the Weatherby also has a short roatation bolt but have never owned or fired one and not sure if they make LH?.
You can’t really go wrong with a .300 win mag (or a .30-06) as they are “tried and true” and will be around a long time. Ammo availability is rarely a problem and while .300 win mag maybe not as available as .30-06 its gotta be close. Good luck

 

[Jhsmith]

There's nothing wrong with having a collection of left-handed rifles, in 30-06.

 

[SSG Joe]

@SSG Joe
Plenty on this forum about the Whelen.
It will do everything the 338 win mag will out to 400 yards without beating you up.
A 35 cal 225 grainers leaving the muzzle at 2,900fps will reach way out yonder and deliver a big hit.
The 250s at 2,700 fps for bigger stuff that needs a bigger hit
For up close a 310gn at over 2,400fps is a lot of bone crunching power.
All these loads will deliver 4,000+ for of muzzle energy everytime you pull the trigger.
The Whelen is a tower of power in the 06 case.
Bob

Thanks for the info, Bob.

Wow! 4,000 ft/lbs. Of energy, that's a big wallop on just about anything. Especially here in North America. That should be more than enough for Eland or, for that matter, anything I'm going to hunt.

I'll have to do some research on how much a new barrel will cost.

Thanks again for the info.
Blessings
Joe

 

[Philip Glass]

I'm thinking about a left-handed 300 Win Mag. Does anyone have any ideas?

R8 is my suggestion. I love mine and my son has a left handed version.

 

[Bandera]

The Savage 110 Timberline has a whole bunch features.
Most notable are:
Factory blue printed action.
Adjustable trigger.
Aluminum bedding.
Med contour barrel. Some people think the barrel is heavy making the rifle to heavy, they need to get in the gym.
Also in left hand models.
My 308 is boringly accurate.

Want a CRF the Ruger Hawkeye Hunter is good option.
i wish that Ruger would build a left hand African or Guid Gun in 30-06 or 300 WM.
Us lefties are stuck with the do all 375 Ruger.
I will say that Rugers CS is great. I recently purchased a used 375 Guide Gun that did not have the radial comp with it. Ruger replaced it for free.

 

[Throwback]

Cant go wrong with the 300WM as a caliber. Let us know what rifle you buy and which bullet you use.

For rifles, a Savage 110 on the cheaper end is worth looking at. I would make sure you cycle the bolt as personally I think they are good value for price but the bolts tend to be "loose" somewhat and you can short stroke it. Browning X bolt, Sauer 100 and Tikka are worth checking out too, imo.

For bullets, if for "general" use, e.g. all PG, I would look at Barnes TTSX or Hornady ELD-X. I have used both in Africa and N. America with outstanding success.

Let us know where you land amigo. Cheers

 

[SSG Joe]

R8 is my suggestion. I love mine, and my son has a left-handed version.

R8? Is that a Remington?

 

[V.Veritas]

Kind of. The European version.
Better known as Blaser R8.