92xj Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 So, I need some opinions. I am at a crossroads and am not exactly sure what I want to purchase. As of right now, the largest rifle I have is a 270. I hunt and kill plenty of deer with this rifle and am 100% confident in my ability to hit exactly where I am aiming with it. That being said, I am wanting to go bigger. I will be hunting whitetails, mule deer, antelope, elk and possibly bear with this new rifle and am thinking about something in the 300WSM range. Unless talked into something else. My budget will be no more than 850 bucks for the rifle. If these were your objectives to fill, which gun would you purchase? I know the 270 will kill any deer, antelope or elk I shoot at, but the itch to go a little bigger is here. Shots will range from 25 yards to 400+ yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Remington model 700 in 30-06 or 300 win mag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Remington model 700 in 30-06 or 300 win mag. +2 Excellant choices .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007hunter Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Always had a fancy for the .325 WSM... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 .300 WSM or .300 Win Mag for sure. I love my WSM, bought it for deer and moose hunting. Occasionally hunt bear too, which I'd also use it for. The WSM ammo is more expensive than the Win Mag ammo, factory loads are basically identical to each other when it comes to ballistics. WSM has the upper hand slightly with factory ammo (<100fps/100lb ft). If you reload the Win Mag will out perform with the higher case capacity. The WSM is nice with the short action, the cartridges are only about 1/8-1/4" longer than a .308 Win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Do you reload ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 unfortunately I do not reload anymore, had to sell all my stuff when I was unemployeed, so I shall be buying factory loads for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Save the money & go on a hunt for one of those critters. You 270 will be just fine. If I had it all to do over again----I would be a one rifle guy & go on hunts all over the place. I would also forget all the taxidermy work----take a ton of photos. I've got enough in mounts to pay for a cape buffalo hunt. Back to your question---I don't think you will be gaining much by getting the 300 WSM or the 300 Win Mag over what you already have. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Dang you Bob! This thought has been in my head the whole time. Should I continue to use the 270, shoot my normal 140grs and hunt with no worries of killing all these big animals out west? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Ive got 2 270s, a 270 Gibbs which basically an Improved 270 Win, and a 300WSM. I use both alot but being a gun salesman, buy what makes you happy. If nothing else, buy more ammo and practice more, upgrade your scope, or do a little customizing. Im planning a new rifle purchase as well, and Ill be going with another 270 Win. Why? I have no idea. Looking to go lighter, and wanna try out a Winchester rifle since all my others are Remingtons or Rugers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Remington model 700 in 30-06 or 300 win mag. x3 Personally I would go with the Remington 700, 30-06. Unless you're taking incredibly long shots you will have more than adequate energy with a .30-06. And even the Mag guys have to agree, the .30-06 is one of the best, most versatile rounds to ever be chambered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Ok, I should have stated in the OP that I do not want a 30.06. I know its great, been around a long time and you can always find ammo, but i just dont have the desire to own one. I do plan on shooting 500-1000 yards with this gun. Maybe not in a hunting scenario, but at the range. From what I have gathered and researched.... My 270 is plenty gun for antelope, deer and elk. I do not need a new gun to kill these animals. It all comes down to needs vs. wants. Now, the ones I am thinking about are the 300wm, 300wsm, 7mm stw and 338mag. 300wm - easy to find ammo, kicks like a mule, but will kill anything I want it to. 300wsm - not as easy to find ammo, kicks like a mule and will kill anything 7mm stw - expensive to purchase a rifle, expensive ammo, check off list 338mag - doesnt kick as much as the 300s, not as easy to find ammo. will kill anything. Will drop off big time after 400 yards. I want something fast, flat and accurate. I hate drop off. With this new post, now pick my rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Based on you saying that you will be buying ammo, and wanting to shoot 500-1000yds I came up with the 300 WinMag. I own one and I really love it. 300wm - easy to find ammo, kicks like a mule, but will kill anything I want it to. 300wsm - not as easy to find ammo, kicks like a mule and will kill anything 7mm stw - expensive to purchase a rifle, expensive ammo, check off list 338mag - doesnt kick as much as the 300s, not as easy to find ammo. will kill anything. Will drop off big time after 400 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clrj3514 Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 It's not on your list, but you can't go wrong with the 7mm Rem Mag for what you want, I believe. My daddy as had 2 & loves them, and he is NOT easily satisfied by a rifle. And in all reality, ammo isn't that expensive or hard to find. You can get a great round in the Remington Core-Lokt 150gr for under $30. That being said, your 270 ain't a bad choice at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Ok, I should have stated in the OP that I do not want a 30.06. I know its great, been around a long time and you can always find ammo, but i just dont have the desire to own one. I do plan on shooting 500-1000 yards with this gun. Maybe not in a hunting scenario, but at the range. From what I have gathered and researched.... My 270 is plenty gun for antelope, deer and elk. I do not need a new gun to kill these animals. It all comes down to needs vs. wants. Now, the ones I am thinking about are the 300wm, 300wsm, 7mm stw and 338mag. 300wm - easy to find ammo, kicks like a mule, but will kill anything I want it to. 300wsm - not as easy to find ammo, kicks like a mule and will kill anything 7mm stw - expensive to purchase a rifle, expensive ammo, check off list 338mag - doesnt kick as much as the 300s, not as easy to find ammo. will kill anything. Will drop off big time after 400 yards. I want something fast, flat and accurate. I hate drop off. With this new post, now pick my rifle. Then a 300 win mag or 7 mm remington mag. Still in a model 700. We took the .270 with us to Wyoming. Wind can be bit of an issue at the longer distances out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clrj3514 Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Then a 300 win mag or 7 mm remington mag. Still in a model 700. Yep the Model 700 is as reliable as they come & that's what I shoot but in 30-06. I know several people with Ruger M77s who are very pleased with them. The M77 Mark II has a more advanced & secure safety system. No big deal to do this, but they will also need trigger work, if not a new trigger. A lot of weight from the factory & a little creep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 I could be wrong here but I didn't think there was THAT much difference in the ballistics of a 300 mag and a 300 short mag? But there is a big difference in ammo availability and price. So I think I would get a 300 mag in rem 700.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007BondJamesBond007 Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Remington 700 in 30-06 or 7 mm Remington Mag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 I could be wrong here but I didn't think there was THAT much difference in the ballistics of a 300 mag and a 300 short mag? But there is a big difference in ammo availability and price. So I think I would get a 300 mag in rem 700.... You are correct about the ballistics, pretty much the exact same. The ammo for the WM is more availible than the WSM but, I live in big game country so in my area ammo for both is easily found. The biggest difference and only realy difference is the short throw of the bolt and it's way easier to glass the WSM, easier to gain eye relief without adding a rail to the gun. I keep going back and forth between the two. I found the Tikka T3 that looks like a decent gun, and a little cheaper than the 700. But I like the 700. Whatever gun I get, I will be doing trigger work to it to get it down to the 32oz mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 I have a Ruger All Weather M77 MkII Stainless 7mm Rem Mag and a Browning A-Bolt Hunter Matte in 300WSM. I love them both. It's like having 2 girlfriends at the same time and not being able to pick between them. The Ruger is my long-time girlfriend and the Browning is a little newer. I had a trigger job done on the Ruger and the Browning came with a great trigger out of the box. Never was a Remington Rifle fan. Why, I don't know. The 300WSM is not hard to find ammo for like it used to be. Both have a variety of loadings that will fit your bill. My buddy and I even experimented with Hornady 190gr. Interlock bullets reloaded for my 300WSM. It has great ballistics. Since you already have a .270 Win., I'd go with the 300WSM. I picked the 300WSM over the 300WM because of the short action chambering. Good Luck choosing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Ok, I should have stated in the OP that I do not want a 30.06. I know its great, been around a long time and you can always find ammo, but i just dont have the desire to own one. I do plan on shooting 500-1000 yards with this gun. Maybe not in a hunting scenario, but at the range. 7mm stw - expensive to purchase a rifle, expensive ammo, check off list I want something fast, flat and accurate. I hate drop off. With this new post, now pick my rifle. There's your rifle, right there. You can get one for your stated budget. It's time to cowboy up and get yourself a loading press. If you are a fan of flat trajectory, the 7-STW WILL NOT disappoint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 I think I have decided to go with a Rem700 300WM Sendero SF II. Hopefully will be able to find someone locally to throw on a brake for me. Not sure of the glass yet, but have heard a lot of good things about Millet Tac stuff. So, I might look into them. Now, we just have to see what that bonus is going to look like come Feb 1st. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Why would one want a brake on a .300 WM that's going to weigh over 10 lbs. scoped and loaded ? Just curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted January 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 To try and take at least a tiny bit of recoil out of it. I will not be doing the brake as soon as I get it though, so if I can range shoot it and not be bruised after 20 shots or so, I will leave it off. Also, I will continue to use my 270 for all my antelope and deer hunts. If I have the chance to elk hunt I will bust out the 300. It will be a range gun 95% of the time. Also, I have been carrying a 60lbs decoy bag on my back for the past 3 months walking 1-2 miles into my hunting sets. This has got me trained pretty well. Also, with my weight loss and excercise I feel that I am in good enough shape to carrying this thing around. Plan to keep up the excercise and hike all over the state of washington this summer. My prep for hunting season will be golden and I doubt I will have any troubles if I do get the opportunity to hunt elk. Yes, I will still get frustrated at the heavy gun if I do take it out in the woods, but I will survive. I've never had anything bigger than my 270, so I want to go bigger, I want to be able to shoot 600-1000 yards at the range, I want ammo that I can purchase anywhere since I dont have any of my reloading stuff anymore and I want a 30 cal without getting a 30.06 or 308. The 300wm seems to be my best choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 To try and take at least a tiny bit of recoil out of it. I will not be doing the brake as soon as I get it though, so if I can range shoot it and not be bruised after 20 shots or so, I will leave it off. Also, I will continue to use my 270 for all my antelope and deer hunts. If I have the chance to elk hunt I will bust out the 300. It will be a range gun 95% of the time. Also, I have been carrying a 60lbs decoy bag on my back for the past 3 months walking 1-2 miles into my hunting sets. This has got me trained pretty well. Also, with my weight loss and excercise I feel that I am in good enough shape to carrying this thing around. Plan to keep up the excercise and hike all over the state of washington this summer. My prep for hunting season will be golden and I doubt I will have any troubles if I do get the opportunity to hunt elk. Yes, I will still get frustrated at the heavy gun if I do take it out in the woods, but I will survive. I've never had anything bigger than my 270, so I want to go bigger, I want to be able to shoot 600-1000 yards at the range, I want ammo that I can purchase anywhere since I dont have any of my reloading stuff anymore and I want a 30 cal without getting a 30.06 or 308. The 300wm seems to be my best choice. If you are looking at this with your plan of hunting Wyoming, I am guessing this is not going to be an option Ben. The seasons unfortunately do not run together, that is if you are fortunate enough to draw the much coveted elk tag. Elk for that region is only every 3 years, there was a season last year so 2014 would be the next season for elk if I am not mistaken. Also, count on that if you do get drawn for elk and assuming this is on the Wyoming hunt that your shots might be a tad closer on them than what you would expect of deer. We had a couple real nice bulls well inside of 200 yards, the big one(8x5) I saw the next to last day was probably less than a 100 yards away with his harem of cows, and there I was with my .270 with great opportunity and of course no tag for elk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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