Looking at a 300WM, 300UM, 338WM with muzzle brake

[tbonecpa]

I have a very trusty Model 70 in 30-06 but am looking for a second rifle(larger game).  I would prefer another Model 70 in a magnum caliber with a BOSS but the other contenders are an A-Bolt composite stalker and a Savage 116 FSAK.  Any opinions and places to buy?  I have checked gunbroker.com but no luck.

[ms]

Had Bar in 300win with a boss it was nice. Got sold because I thought It was  ugly. :lol:

[chunter]

I have a rifle that I have posted in the classifieds, I think that this might be what you are looking for.

However,  this rifle may be sold, we are waiting on funds.  If this falls through I will repost it.


http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=46112
chunter

[Zachary]

Winchester used to offer the M70s with the BOSS  - actually, I own a M70 SS with BOSS in 300 Win Mag.  Let me tell you, that BOSS REALLY WORKS, both as a muzzle brake and accuracy enhancer.  With 180 grain PMC Barnes X loads, it shoots almost .5" at 100 yards!  I also did some other minor customization - like trigger job, etc., and less than a box of ammo has been used, and is in PERFECT condition, BUT - it's not for sale!

However, after Winchester was bought out by a French company, which also owns Browning, there was a decision to stop producing the BOSS on Winchester rifles but continue to produce them on Brownings.

Zachary

[azmike]

My older brother uses a Savage 116 FSAK in .338 win mag for his do everything rifle.  I have fired it a few times.  Not the prettiest rifle around, but it is bar none the nicest shooting magnum I've fired.  Recoil was lighter with factory loads (brand and bullet weight escape me) than my Ruger 77MkII 7mm rem mag.  Also, this rifle was ACCURATE, like the Savage I foolishly sold in order to buy my Ruger.  Too bad they don't make that 116 FSAK in left hand, or I would have one.

[Val]

I have a Savage 116 Stainless with a factory Muzzle Brake. The nice thing about this muzzle brake is that you can turn it off and on. I get consistant .75" 3 shot groups at 100 yards with this rifle. If hunting and not wearing ear muffs you can turn off the muzzle brake and not take the chance of ear damage.

[Buckfever]

Well with the new bullets and their ability to hit at high impact and not fragment I think the 300 win mag packs alot of wallop and great distance shooting.  I have a medium contour 700 barreled action in a Mcmillian, bedded, trigger set to 3 lbs., a German brake and VX 111 Lupey 3-10.  Light gun and doesn't bang me around.  MOA with the right ammunition.  I don't use it much anymore because at 56 the mountians got a lot higher!  I think the new premuim bullets have enhanced the killing power of most firearms.  By the way I try not to shoot my 300 braked with other people around it is just courteous.  Buckfever

[tbonecpa]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the input.  I am strongly leaning towards the Savage 116 FSAK at this point.  It rained most of the day for the opener of gun season so the SS would have been nice.  I am also excited about the Accutrigger and adjustable muzzle brake.  A trigger job would cost about $100 and muzzlebrake about $150 and still not be adjustable.  The Savage barrels always gets praise for their accuracy and seem to be the best bargain in the rifle market right now.  

Any more input on the caliber?  The 300 WM is very similar to my Federal High Energy 30-06 load so I am thinking 300UM or 338WM.  I am still torn on the caliber but leaning towards the 338 due to the range of bullet options.  The 180 gr Nosler Ballistic tip would be great for deer and the Federal High Energy 250 gr Nosler Partition has almost identical ballistics to the Rem 338UM (What a bear load!).

I am looking at 3-9x or 3-10x scopes.  Any recommendations on a scope to handle this recoil?  Bushnell Elite 3200?  Thanks again.

[Carutht]

tbonecpa,
My vote is for the 338. I load my own and the 338 shoots better than any any other caliber I own. When you mention bear, the nod definitely goes to the 338. You could do like me and own both the 30 and the 338. I also like the 323 RM as well.

[Dufur]

My advice is to forget the muzzle break altogether if you hunt or shoot around anyone else.  Those things make your ears bleed!!!  What did you say???  They are obnoxious.  I shoot a 300 ultra in the 700 bdl and although it kicks, it is nowhere near the monster that some report it to be.  Buy the largest caliber or magnum that you can shoot well without it intimidating you.  Where you shoot any animal matters much more than what you shoot it with.  Within reason that is.

[tbonecpa]

I ordered a Savage 116 FSAK in 338 WM yesterday from a friend of mine.  He has two of them, a 300UM and 300WSM and both of them are tack drivers.  Now I am looking at a 3-9x-40, either Nikon Buckmaster. Bushnell Elite 3200, or Simmons Aetec.  Key features being 3 1/2"+ eye relief, wide field of view, and bright glass.

I appreciate all the input and wise suggestions.  You wouldn't believe the time I have spent reviewing ballistics and reviews of the different cartridges.  The bottom line was the 338WM was simply more versatile than the others.  It was close but the 300WM doesn't pack quite the punch and 300UM is pretty limited on bullet weights with a lot of excess powder being burned.  Excess powder means unneccesary recoil so the 338 seems to be a more efficient cartridge at the 4000 ft/lb power level.  I have a 125 yd range in my backyard so the muzzlebrake shouldn't bother anyone but me and I will close it while hunting because extra clothes and adrenaline does wonders to reduce felt recoil.

The best part of this whole thing is if the 338WM isn't for me I still have the trusty 30-06 to do the deed.