.300 winchester mag

[slickest]

I have been looking at new rifles and have been leadnng toward a browning A-Bolt medallion. I seen a .300 winchester mag that caught my eye. I really know nothing about the .300 winchester mag. I guess mainly im curious as how it compares against other .30 caliber mags. such as a .300 weatherby mag, .300 rum, .300wsm as far as in knock down power and bullet drop. Also how easy is it to find factory ammo for one of theese since I dont reload? any info would be great. thanks, Adam

[Zachary]

It all depends on what you want to use it for.

Truthfully, a .300 Win Mag, which is similar in recoil/performance to a .300WSM, is overkill for whitetail within 300 yards and a bit more.

As such, the .300 Weatherby Mag, which has more recoil than the above, is more overkill for whitetail.

Accordingly, the .300RUM, which has more recoil than even the .300 Wby, is that much more overkill.

Now, if you intend to use your gun for bigger game such as elk and moose, then the .300 Win Mag, and the .300 WSM are a fine choice.  Moreover, if you are hunting these big critters at long ranges, then the .300 Wby/RUM are not totally out of place.

Other related questions: Have you ever shot these magnums?  Can you shoot them accurately?

DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID WHEN I WAS 18 YEARS OLD:

I was reviewing ballistics and saw that the 7mm Rem Mag shot very flat and appeared to be second only to the 300 Win Mag in terms of energy performance.  So I bought a Browning Stainless Stalker in 1988 in 7mm Rem Mag.  What a mistake.  That gun caused me serious flinching issues.

Then I bought another Browning Stainless Stalker, but this time in .270 Winchester.  Good Choice.

Now, out of the 4 cartridges that you mentioned, the most widely available ammo of the 4 is the .300 Win Mag, followed by the .300WSM, then the .300 Wby, and then the .300RUM.

However, I encourage you to seriously consider the .30-06.  Recoil is noticeably less than the .300 Win Mag, but performance is not THAT different in the field.  Moreover, .30-06 ammo is EVERYWHERE!

Listen to my advice, and don't make the same mistake I did when I first started big game hunting.

Zachary

[nomosendero]

I just don't know how this question can be answered without knowing 2 things. 1. What do you plan to do with this gun? Be specific.
                                                                                                                2. What other rifles do you have?
Then we can talk 300 mags. & I don't want to advise you to get another round because you may already have it, but probably not.

[dscp]

HOWDY !         IF THE BIGGER THE BETTER WAS THE ANSWER THEN I WOULD RECOMMEND THE 458 WIN MAG . ALMOST ALL CARTRIDGES HAVE THEIR PLACE TO SHINE .     IN GENERAL THOUGH , FOR A NEWBEE ( PARTICULARLY ONE THAT DOES NOT RE-LOAD) . CONSIDER THE OLD , TRIED AND TRUE , 30-06 .  FOR EXAMPLE MIDWAY HAS OVER 91 SKU'S FOR 30-06 IN ONE CATALOG . AND THEY DO NOT CARRY IT ALL ! SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A 55 GR BULLETT OR ONE WEIGHING 220 GR.
YOU PROBABLY WILL FIND WHAT YOU WANT . ANY STORE WORTH ITS GRITTS WILL AT LEAST A SMALL HANDFULL OF CHOICES .
YOU WILL BE ADEQUATELY ARMED TO DO MORE THINGS THAN PROBABLY ANYONE ELSE ...
MY TWO-BITS,
dscp

[dukkillr]

I have a 300 Win in a 700 that I use for elk and caribou.  I've also killed a handful of whitetails with it.  People will have you believe that the recoil will detach your retinas and give you a concussion.  It won't.  It's not really that bad, I'd say it's similar to the "perfect" 30-06 in hunting situations.  People will also attempt to get you to believe there will be this massive meat loss.  Some are even convinced the whole exit side of the deer is going to be gone.  Again, not true.  It makes 30 cal hole which, amazing, is the same as the 30-06.  Maybe next year I'll take pictures of deer hit with a .270 and with a 300 and see if you can pick which on is which.  I'll give you a hint, it'll be hard/impossible to tell.

If you're only going to deer hunt I'd pick the .270 over the 300, but don't listen to all the doomsday reports from people who believe anything new must be inferior.

[ssghelmick]

I wouldn't call the .300 Win. Mag new. While it's not the oldest cartridge in today's line up it's certainly be around long enough to be considered tried and true. Of all the 300's mentioned it would be my choice. I have one in a stainless model 70 classic and it is a great rifle. I also have a custom rifle chambered in .308 Norma mag which is an outstanding rifle.

If you already have a standard caliber deer rifle the .300 Win mag would be a nice addition for larger than deer game. If this is to be your only deer rifle and you aren't planning a moose or elk hunt I would consider one of the many great standard cartridges out there of which most are also capable of taking larger than deer game. They have less recoil, are much cheaper to shoot and are easier on barrels. As far as recoil goes, that really depends on the shooter.

Good luck

[Don Fischer]

I have been looking at new rifles and have been leadnng toward a browning A-Bolt medallion. I seen a .300 winchester mag that caught my eye. I really know nothing about the .300 winchester mag. I guess mainly im curious as how it compares against other .30 caliber mags. such as a .300 weatherby mag, .300 rum, .300wsm as far as in knock down power and bullet drop. Also how easy is it to find factory ammo for one of theese since I dont reload? any info would be great. thanks, Adam

Your question itself suggest that you have very little experience in shooting. I'm guessing most your information has come either from the Internet or magazines. I would suggest you go find someone with the different 30 mags your talking about and see if you can try shooting them. when your done, go find a 7mm-08 and try shooting that. Keep in mind that the 7mm-08 will kill just as effectively as any 300 mag at normal hunting ranges. If you just feel the need for a 30 cal, try a 308 win. After you've tried them all, you probably won't need anyone here to tell you what you need.

[slickest]

Thanks for the info guys. Like I said it just caught my eye. This is mainly just going to be a deer rifle and that is it. I have been leading towards the .30-06 since it is such a common caliber and most of my friends shoot them. I was just looking to see how the .300 win mag compared against other mags since I know nothing of them. actually in the process of getting to guns right now. I currently purchasing an H&R ultra varmint in .223. As you know now also in the process of buying or having a deer rifle built also.

[nomosendero]

I have been looking at new rifles and have been leadnng toward a browning A-Bolt medallion. I seen a .300 winchester mag that caught my eye. I really know nothing about the .300 winchester mag. I guess mainly im curious as how it compares against other .30 caliber mags. such as a .300 weatherby mag, .300 rum, .300wsm as far as in knock down power and bullet drop. Also how easy is it to find factory ammo for one of theese since I dont reload? any info would be great. thanks, Adam

Your question itself suggest that you have very little experience in shooting. I'm guessing most your information has come either from the Internet or magazines. I would suggest you go find someone with the different 30 mags your talking about and see if you can try shooting them. when your done, go find a 7mm-08 and try shooting that. Keep in mind that the 7mm-08 will kill just as effectively as any 300 mag at normal hunting ranges. If you just feel the need for a 30 cal, try a 308 win. After you've tried them all, you probably won't need anyone here to tell you what you need.

Good advise.

[nomosendero]

Thanks for the info guys. Like I said it just caught my eye. This is mainly just going to be a deer rifle and that is it. I have been leading towards the .30-06 since it is such a common caliber and most of my friends shoot them. I was just looking to see how the .300 win mag compared against other mags since I know nothing of them. actually in the process of getting to guns right now. I currently purchasing an H&R ultra varmint in .223. As you know now also in the process of buying or having a deer rifle built also.

OK, now we have information. You will have a 223 & just need a gun for Deer. Don's advise to get a 7-08 is good, but since your friends use a 30-06, I woud run with that. You can share various types of factory loads & find one your gun likes. It will fill all of your needs & the choice of loads is unbeatable. Get one that fits, install a Limbsaver & you are good to go.

[beemanbeme]

Naaaah, listen to Don. Get a 7-08.  Best deer cartridge walkin'.  In my modest opinion, of course.

[dscp]

HOWDY AGAIN !         LISTEN FELLOWS ONE OF THE ORIGIONAL SPECS ON THIS WAS THE EASY AVAILABILITY OF AMMUNITION IN A VARIETY OF LOADS .   GO INTO ANY SPORTING GOODS STORE AND COUNT SKU'S . I SHOULD VENTURE TO WAGE THAT THE 30-06 WILL WIN BETTER THAN 90% OF THE TIME .
dscp
P.S. ANY TAKERS

[Coyote Hunter]

Slickest –

Since you don’t reload I would suggest the .30-06 or even the .308 Win.  Both are excellent deer rifles and will easily do the job out past where most folks should be shooting game (350-400 yards).  Inexpensive FMJ “surplus” ammo is widely available for both cartridges and there is a wide selection of standard and premium quality hunting ammo as well.

That said, I own a .300 Win Mag (as well as a .30-06, .308 win and 7mm Rem Mag) and love it.  Recoil is considerably greater than the .30-06, but still quite tolerable.   Here is an approximate set of recoil numbers for various cartridges:

18 fp = .270 Win
19fp = .308 Win
22fp = .30-06
24fp = 7mm Rem Mag
30fp = .300 Win Mag

Again, these numbers are approximate and can vary considerably (2fp or more) depending on particular loads.  As you can see, the .300 is a considerable step up.  I listed the .270 Win because, IMHO, it is perhaps the best general-purpose deer cartridge available.

[nomosendero]

HOWDY AGAIN !         LISTEN FELLOWS ONE OF THE ORIGIONAL SPECS ON THIS WAS THE EASY AVAILABILITY OF AMMUNITION IN A VARIETY OF LOADS .   GO INTO ANY SPORTING GOODS STORE AND COUNT SKU'S . I SHOULD VENTURE TO WAGE THAT THE 30-06 WILL WIN BETTER THAN 90% OF THE TIME .
dscp
P.S. ANY TAKERS

Yes, that is one of the big reasons I advised the '06 over the 7-08. In some rural areas the 7-08 is popular & in some it is hardly used at all, ammo is not that common for it where I live. As a Deer round only, the 7-08 is hard to beat, but other factors are important as well. Recoil is not an issue with an '06 if you buy a gun that fits you, has decent weight & a good recoil pad. If you decide to go after the big stuff later, the '06 is better suited & you can buy ammo from 100-220 grain. Along with the 223, you can hunt everything on the Continent.

[Cheesehead]

Check out a short action A-bolt in 308 Winchester. These guns a light and compact with a short bolt throw. I have an A-bolt in 7 mag and love it but it is not needed for deer, although it works very well on deer. The 308 ammo is everywhere with a wide variety. The original short mag is the 308 Win with less recoil.

Cheese

[saltydog]

+1 on '06 or 7 Rem Mag even without knowing what game hunted is going to be. I have most all the 300 mags and except for the SAUM they will get your attention At least one of the major scope makers use a 300 WIN mag as the make or break quality control rifle for their scopes. The '06 with performance ammo available today will do it for anything except big bears in North America. 7 mm REM MAG is also a good choice if you are hunting game requiring longer shots as it will shoot flatter further due to better bullet bc and won't kick you as a 300 mag will.

[wncchester]

Slick, you've gotten some good info here.  My appraisal of the various .30 mags is that the old Winchester version is the best balanced and most available, world wide.  That said, it is vast over kill for deer, at any range.  The .30+ magnums are for really large animals.

Within 250 yards, even a .30-06 is over kill for white tail!  And I say that as one who uses the old GI round, but simply because I love it.  Actually, I suspect most hunters would be much better served with a milder cartridge they can learn to shoot well.  Short/long action rifles are of no consequence but, as much as it pains me to admit it, the 7-08, .308 or .270 are perhaps the best balanced deer cartridges currently marketed. (And I don't own any one of them!)

Long distance shooting in the field, past 200 yards, is much more difficult than most people understand.  It requires a higher level of shooting skill than >98% of hunters possess.  Passed 200 yards, flinch aside, wind is a bigger obstacle to good hits than gravity and guessing the wind over long distances is more than difficult, it's impossible.  That difficulty is ok if the target is a varmit but not if it's a game animal.  Deer, etc, deserve better than "shoot and pray" accuracy.  I don't take really long shots, I either work closer or let them go.