Which 300 for all NA big game?

[coppermushroom]

All good input and all make logical arguements that are hard to argue against. My 'perhaps a brownie' comment will probably be served by perhaps a 340WBY although a DIY sheep / billy hunt is on my list before the bear.

Not a huge fan of the RUM's, my brother has a 338RUM in a 6 3/4lb rifle that is simply no fun to shoot.

I will keep looking for the right rifle... MOA or less, stainless / cerakote barrel, no muzzle brake, non wood stock. If I happen to find it in a WM or WBY so be it. Looking hard at a Cooper Excalibur right now.

 

[.280 Remington]

Not to one up the 300 Savage, but a 308 is more than enough for me in 30 caliber. I've got a 300WM and a 300WSM in the closet too.

"Perhaps a brownie"... I perhaped a brownie with a 308... Wouldn't be my first choice on a Kodiak or big coastal bear hunt, but neither would a 30 caliber anything. IMO if you really are planning on going after a big bear, you can afford to buy a rifle when the time is right.

Moose guns start at .277cal.

That advice sounds pretty solid to me.

 

[mtmuley]

coppermushroom, Coopers are awesome rifles. I've always wanted one as they are built right down the road from my house. If you are ready to pull the trigger on an Excaliber, take a quick look at a Nesika. For some reason those rifles seem to have the benefits of BR accuracy and toughness needed to hunt hard. mtmuley

 

[coppermushroom]

MT - I have been looking hard at Nesikas but have found information on them a bit harder to come by. Anything you can share? Most reviews I have read are positive but as far as knowing anyone who has handled or shot one I have struck out.

 

[MKotur325]

I can think of few rifles less fun to shoot than a WBY or RUM over .30 Cal... If a brown bear comes on the table, take your .30 cal Magnum, stoke it with a well constructed 200gr or heavier slug and you will be well suited for any bear that walks this earth. Factory ammo options are avaliable as well. Federal still loads a 200Gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw for the .300 WM, Nosler Partitions and Accubonds are available in a 200gr loaded by Nosler. Doubletap even lists factory ammo for the .300WM with a 240Gr Woodleigh Weldcore. Nosler and Weatherby offer 200Gr options for the .300WBY, Both the partition and the AB. Any of these loads would be suitable bear medicine.

 

[mtmuley]

The latest Rifle has a review by the late Chub Eastman. I knew their actions were well respected in the benchrest world, but I don't know anyone that has one personally. I too would like to handle one of Nesika's rifles. When you get right down to it, you could probably build a great semi-custom on a donor action with pieces of your choosing for the same price or even less. I envy your position. mtmuley

 

[bkondeff]

Which .30? Depends:

Brown bear?

Long or Short Action preference?

Most importantly, how far do you intend to try and kill things, particularly elk? I would generalize that a .308 is limited on elk to 250-300yds, a 06' to 350-400, and any bigger "Magnum" can reach fartherr than most should or will shoot.

So, in conclusion, I would guess there isn't a best. I would get the smallest cased round that fit's your preferences for the questions above because they wil be funner to shoot at the range. 300Wby is NO fun at the range in a typical 8-9lb configuration.

PS I prefer .284's anyway

 

[danr55]

If I am going to choose, I will choose with the most extreme need condition in mind. If I am hunting a Brownie with a 30 cal,,, it's going to be the largest 30 cal I can get. That would probably be the 30-378 WBY. That case, combined with the 200 grain Accubond might make be feel a little better about my chances with those huge brown bears.. I would still prefer something in a 338 or a 35 caliber.

 

[huntRme]

H & H. Easy to shoot and just plain looks good.

 

[7Remmy]

Snapped a pic of "Cruncher" on a snack break in Colorado a few years ago.(if photobucket ever wakes up I'll post it!) A M700 300 Ultra in a B&C stock. Old Cruncher loved 180gr A-Bonds over large quantities of RL22 and 7828. If one 300 for all is your objective,it's hard to beat. Not a recreational shooter at 8 3/4 lbs,but delivers the heavier pills with authority.

 

[hank4elk]

My little 700 30-06 works just fine in my comfort range on elk and deer. Anything else in NM too .
If I was after northern bears I would love a 45-70 lever....
But I wouldn't refuse a 300WM.

 

[mtmander]

I have a pre 64 model 70 300 WM and it is very accurate. I am sure all of the choices will get the job done but I would stick with the 300 WM.

 

[jimss]

I have a 300 WSM in Sako Finnlight that is pretty tough to beat! I've shot everything from pronghorn, elk, muledeer, mtn goat, dall sheep, and black bear with it so far and all took just 1 shot. The reason I bought the Sako Finnlight is the weight. It is one of the lightest 300's I have ever lugged up and down the hills. For how light it is it hardly kicks. It's tough to beat the quality of Sako! Take a look at one and you'll instantly know what I'm talking about! I had a 300 Weatherby in Remington action and it shot fine but after around 10 years my shot pattern started wandering all over the place.. I never found out what was wrong but I ended up selling it. You should seriously consider the 300 WSM...hardly kicks and is deadly accurate!

 

[MKotur325]

I have a 300 WSM in Sako Finnlight that is pretty tough to beat! I've shot everything from pronghorn, elk, muledeer, mtn goat, dall sheep, and black bear with it so far and all took just 1 shot. The reason I bought the Sako Finnlight is the weight. It is one of the lightest 300's I have ever lugged up and down the hills. For how light it is it hardly kicks. It's tough to beat the quality of Sako! Take a look at one and you'll instantly know what I'm talking about! I had a 300 Weatherby in Remington action and it shot fine but after around 10 years my shot pattern started wandering all over the place.. I never found out what was wrong but I ended up selling it. You should seriously consider the 300 WSM...hardly kicks and is deadly accurate!

Jims,

I've had my eye on one of these for a while. Couple quick questions... Do you load for it? And, What bullet weights does it like? Only reason I ask is because Sako uses a slower twist than I would have expected... Wondering how they do with Heavy bullets...

 

[coppermushroom]

I decided to go with the 300WM; RedHawk Rifles put it together based on Rem700 action, Douglas 26", and Timney trigger. Craftsmanship was top notch and shoots .472" groups off of a sled @ 100 yards. The B&C stock is special - my wife and kids took it and each painted something that meant a lot to them on it for me. An 8 and 10 year old with a sharpie and a marker can turn an ordinary synthetic stock into a work of art.

 

[jimss]

MK, I've been using 150 grain Nosler ballistic tips. I haven't been doing my own loading but have had good luck with Federal Vital Shock factory loads. According to the box they have 3,200 muz velocity and 3,400 energy. On the box it says they drop 9.5" at 300 yards. That's not too shabby for factory loads. The only problem I've had with the 300 WSM is the shell is so short and stubby that mine doesn't load too terribly smoothly. Knock on wood....so far I've only needed 1 shot so it hasn't really mattered. From what I was told the design of the Browning action for 300 WSM is a lot smoother but I liked the quality of the Sako and how light it is so that's what I bought. I have a 270 Remington 700 and my 300 WSM kicks about the same. I had a muzzlebreak on my 300 Weatherby and also tried a 300 Win that both kicked like a son of a gun!