Brother-in-law suffering from "magnum-itis"

[BattleRifleG3]

My 0.02 is that the purpose of a 300 RUM is to do what a 30-06 can farther away and on a flatter trajectory, not with the idea that it's doing something the 30-06 can't.  The 300 RUM's case design is excellent for long range precision, but the cases where it's most appreciated are in high precision rifles, ie Rem 700 Police and Sendero.  It should never be seen as a solution to a problem, just as a round that has certain good points that may or may not be what a shooter needs.

But yeah, 1000yd shots in my opinion are best made towards paper.

[Ramrod]

About a year ago my brother-in-law was out visiting and we went to the local gun shop because he wanted to look at "big" rifles.  I asked him what he wanted one for and he told me it'd be for mule deer or elk (he lives in UT, I live in NE).  I showed him a Tikka in 30-06 (it's what I have and love) but he wasn't interested - said he wanted one that "burned a lot of powder."  Last weekend he was back out visiting and promptly showed me his brand new Remington 700 in .300 Rem Ultra Mag and proclaimed that he got it to "be able to break an elk's shoulder at 1000 yards."  I know for a fact that the guy only shoots about twice a year, and ususally one of those times is with a heavy 22-250.  So we went out to shoot his gun, he grumbled about the fact that his cartridges were near $45 for 20, and he was extremely impressed with the muzzle blast and recoil.  My wife claims my disdain for his choice of rifle cartridge comes from jealousy but I tell her that isn't it - I just hate to see the ignorant buy gear and believe that it makes them some sort of super-hunter when they aren't willing to put in the time to practice.  My 30-06 does just fine despite its "trajectory that falls like a rock" as my brother-in-law claims.

The gun and ammunition companies depend on folks like your brother-inlaw for profits nowadays. He will soon be trading it off. Modern marketing gets fools to pay soooo much more for fancy new magnumns, slick looking premiumn bullets, and ugly plastic stocked guns. Guys who own boring old calibers like the 30-06, which kills just as well with cheap over the counter ammo tend to keep thier guns forever. Not much money to be made there.

[Redhawk1]

Ramrod, why are people considered fools because the choose to shoot fancy new magnums, slick looking premium bullets, and ugly plastic stocked guns?
They may not be for your taste, but what do you care if other choose to do so. Don't you think it is time to give it a rest? 

[Don Fischer]

Actually there's two type's of people that do as Ramrod say's, fools and shooting nuts. I've got no use for a good many cartridges and rifles but would have one of each if I were a rich man. Actually I'd also assign each type bullet in individual weights to individual guns also. Of course the bullets and guns would only be those that had some appeal to me. For instence why have only one 308 and shoot several different bullets in it if you can afford several different 308's and shoot one specific bullet in each?

Then there are of course the fools that think some magic cartridge will make up for their lack of skills or give them the appearence of being all wise and knowing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,or both! I don't have a problen with a guy that thinks he needs a 300 mag to hunt everything from sage rats to elephants. Go and get one if you'll feel ready for whatever but please learn to use WHATEVER it is you get. I knew a guy in Lakeside, Montana in the early 70's that had a 300 Win Mag because he wanted to be ready for anything he might ever hunt in Montana. He never hunted Montana or anywhere else but should he decide to he was ready. As far as I know, I'm the only one that ever shot that rifle and he bought the reloading dies, bullets and powder!

[beemanbeme]

I was wondering that myself.  Why would anyone get so upset by what rifle someone else shot??  One of the locals uses a .300WM to shoot 100# whitetails.  I gave it all of 3 seconds of thought and went on. 

[Slamfire]

I pretty much look upon the .30-06 the way y'all look upon the .300 RUM, a lot of unnecessary fuss and feathers. 

[Don Dick]

Coyote Hunter,   Thanks for doing the math.  I have always wanted to try the 1,000 yard matches and even set a rifle up to shoot it.  My health limits my shooting.  All I ask is people consider their individual skill level before trying it on game.   On paper is does not matter.   Wait till he carrys the rifle around for a season or two and see what he ends up hunting with. 

[Coyote Hunter]

The gun and ammunition companies depend on folks like your brother-inlaw for profits nowadays. He will soon be trading it off. Modern marketing gets fools to pay soooo much more for fancy new magnumns, slick looking premiumn bullets, and ugly plastic stocked guns. Guys who own boring old calibers like the 30-06, which kills just as well with cheap over the counter ammo tend to keep thier guns forever. Not much money to be made there.

Redhawk1 –

Ramrod used the term “folks” not “fools”, although I also saw “fools” when I read it for the first time. 



Ramrod –

Personally I prefer the premium bullets when shooting flesh and blood and I like some of the synthetic stocks.  My rifles are both tools and an expression of my taste and obviously our tastes are different. 

Many people would consider my blued “canoe paddle” Ruger .300 Win Mag to be ugly, I consider it to be highly functional.  Missed a “canoe paddle” .30-06 in stainless at a gun show recently – another gentleman was already filling out the paperwork on it.  Fine walnut looks nice, but let’s face it – it is not the most forgiving of materials in foul weather.  My first synthetic stock was on a Remington 870.  Much as I liked my buddy’s Browning BPS, which I shot very well, I couldn’t see dragging one out into the mud and wet – which was exactly what I had been doing with my older shotgun that was being replaced.  The synthetics don’t swell or warp like walnut can and while synthetic stocks can get dinged up like walnut, I have yet to see one crack or split.

You may not care for the new magnums but I see them as the result of a dynamic marketplace.  Let the vendors offer and the crowd decide.  Some will fall by the wayside, others will demonstrate long-term popularity.  The general populace benefits.  I have to say I am very much looking forward to the new Ruger 375, slated to be available in early 2007, and what I think will be a healthy crop of offspring ( my guess is .338 and .300 at a minimum, and I expect significant wildcat activity with the new case).

Its true that magnums tend to benefit from premium bullets.  Speer Grand Slams served me well for many years in my 7mm Mag.  I made the switch after a dismal performance by a Hornady 162g BTSP.  (The bullet failed but the elk died anyway.)  These days I hunt with bonded bullets lime the North Fork and A-Frame or monolithic bullets like the TSX whenever possible – even with my “boring old calibers”.

The .30-06 is a fine round, but I’ll stick with my .300 Win, thank you very much.  Nothing wrong with “boring old calibers” (actually you mean “cartridges”) and I own my share – including the .257 Roberts, .30-30, .308 Win and .45-70.  Don’t plan on giving any of them yup, but I plan to hold on equally tight to my magnums.

[justsaymoe]

Magnumitis = somebody will be getting a good deal on a lightly used 300RUM in a year or so........

[Redhawk1]

The gun and ammunition companies depend on folks like your brother-inlaw for profits nowadays. He will soon be trading it off. Modern marketing gets fools to pay soooo much more for fancy new magnumns, slick looking premiumn bullets, and ugly plastic stocked guns. Guys who own boring old calibers like the 30-06, which kills just as well with cheap over the counter ammo tend to keep thier guns forever. Not much money to be made there.

Redhawk1 –

Ramrod used the term “folks” not “fools”, although I also saw “fools” when I read it for the first time. 



Ramrod –

Personally I prefer the premium bullets when shooting flesh and blood and I like some of the synthetic stocks.  My rifles are both tools and an expression of my taste and obviously our tastes are different. 

Many people would consider my blued “canoe paddle” Ruger .300 Win Mag to be ugly, I consider it to be highly functional.  Missed a “canoe paddle” .30-06 in stainless at a gun show recently – another gentleman was already filling out the paperwork on it.  Fine walnut looks nice, but let’s face it – it is not the most forgiving of materials in foul weather.  My first synthetic stock was on a Remington 870.  Much as I liked my buddy’s Browning BPS, which I shot very well, I couldn’t see dragging one out into the mud and wet – which was exactly what I had been doing with my older shotgun that was being replaced.  The synthetics don’t swell or warp like walnut can and while synthetic stocks can get dinged up like walnut, I have yet to see one crack or split.

You may not care for the new magnums but I see them as the result of a dynamic marketplace.  Let the vendors offer and the crowd decide.  Some will fall by the wayside, others will demonstrate long-term popularity.  The general populace benefits.  I have to say I am very much looking forward to the new Ruger 375, slated to be available in early 2007, and what I think will be a healthy crop of offspring ( my guess is .338 and .300 at a minimum, and I expect significant wildcat activity with the new case).

Its true that magnums tend to benefit from premium bullets.  Speer Grand Slams served me well for many years in my 7mm Mag.  I made the switch after a dismal performance by a Hornady 162g BTSP.  (The bullet failed but the elk died anyway.)  These days I hunt with bonded bullets lime the North Fork and A-Frame or monolithic bullets like the TSX whenever possible – even with my “boring old calibers”.

The .30-06 is a fine round, but I’ll stick with my .300 Win, thank you very much.  Nothing wrong with “boring old calibers” (actually you mean “cartridges”) and I own my share – including the .257 Roberts, .30-30, .308 Win and .45-70.  Don’t plan on giving any of them yup, but I plan to hold on equally tight to my magnums.

Coyote Hunter, it still says fools,  Here is his quote.

Modern marketing gets fools to pay soooo much more for fancy new magnumns, slick looking premiumn bullets, and ugly plastic stocked guns.

[Coyote Hunter]

Coyote Hunter, it still says fools,  Here is his quote.

Modern marketing gets fools to pay soooo much more for fancy new magnumns, slick looking premiumn bullets, and ugly plastic stocked guns.

Right you are.  I was looking at the most recent of Ramrod's posts.

[darrell8937]

at a thousand yards, you best be doing a lot of practice and have a fine scope with paralax adjustment, as well as a fine rifle. That is a tall order.. I am in no way worthy of such a shot.  a setup like this would cost thousands,, One of my friends can shoot long long distances. 300 arnold. and a three thousand dollar rifle.

[Dave Allen]

hello..i don't have a problem if a guys want's a magnum rifle...i do have a problem when i see a new hunter-shooter..zero straight in on the mag's..

[Coyote Hunter]

hello..i don't have a problem if a guys want's a magnum rifle...i do have a problem when i see a new hunter-shooter..zero straight in on the mag's..

Why - my first centerfire was a 7mm Rem Mag, never gave a bit of thought that it might be too much.  25 years later I still have no regrets....

[Dave Allen]

coyote hunter...good for you...i hope we can agree to possably disagree ?? maybe you like to disagree ?? i only stated my thought's...as well as you have...maybe i should elaborate a bit...i have a problem with someone who has shot "nothing" & automatically think's a mag is the "only" way to go ?? when "non" mag round's somehow still continue to function ?? maybe i "misunderstood" your comment ?? good luck...

[Coyote Hunter]

coyote hunter...good for you...i hope we can agree to possably disagree ?? maybe you like to disagree ?? i only stated my thought's...as well as you have...maybe i should elaborate a bit...i have a problem with someone who has shot "nothing" & automatically think's a mag is the "only" way to go ?? when "non" mag round's somehow still continue to function ?? maybe i "misunderstood" your comment ?? good luck...

Sure - we can agree to disagree. 

These days I own a variety of rifles chambered for various cartridges and my favorite is my .257 Roberts. When my hunting buddy and I went elk hunting last weekend he took his only bolt gun, a 7mm Rem Mag I suggested he buy.  Like me, he has never had any regrets about the choice.  I took the .257 and a .300 Win Mag and when it came time to choose the .300 got the call.  Two shots, two elk.

In 25 years of hunting Colorado big game, I have never taken a shot that I could not have taken equally well with a .308 Win - the longest being a 5x6 bull at 350 yards.  The most important thing is that the shooter be prepared for the shot and I think we agree on that.

[Dave Allen]

coyote hunter...i'm interested to see that your favorite round is 257 robert's...like a fool i sold mine a little over two year's ago...i started reloading a year ago & sure wish i had that rifle back !!! i will get another & will only regret the fact it will cost me more !! "oh-well" live & learn...not to beat a dead horse...i just get a bit frustrated when i see guy's that won't consider a rifle unless it's a mag...i'm glad to see you started with one "however" know that other round's are functional...i have yet to own a mag !! to be honest i realize that the right caliber in a magnum is pretty hard to dismiss...good luck to you....

[jmckinley]

  I had a slight case of that problem and it last one box out of my 7 Mag. Traded it in for a Custom Enfield in 06 now I have 3 and frankly see little need to get my fillings jarred loose : . I couldn't see a 1000 yds let alone shoot at an animal at that distance. My last El;k was killed at 40 yards with an 06. My limit is 350-400 and conditions have to be perfect if not under 250.  Magnums are nice but most of us can't handle or practice enought to handle the recoil and muzzle blast. My go to rifle is my Custom 98 6.5x55. Jess