$1500 300 win mag opinions?

[Desk Jockey]

I have a 300 win mag that I am not in love with. It a Remington 700 AWR. Not a bad gun but I have an itch to upgrade it.

there is a sako finnlight in my local gun shop that is tempting me. List is $1495. For the same price there are some other good options that I can consider so I wanted to see what others thought. I want to keep it in the $1000 to $1500 zip code for the gun. Not interested in a build or something needing heavy modification. Thinking about a few names but open to suggestions.

- kimber
- tikka t3x roughtek
- Christensen

 

[Fatcamp]

I think you should buy the Sako.

Then post pictures so we can envy.

 

[7layerburrito]

I have a Sako .270 and a Kimber .300 Win Mag and as long as that Finnlight has a muzzle brake (I think it does) you should go for it. You'd be happy with either, I just find Sako to be extremely underrated .

 

[Doc Holliday]

Christensen Mesa, only modification is to get the larger bolt knob they sell....I think it's $50 or so IIRC

 

[elkguide]

Christensen, or Kimber would be good my choices. The Sako is an incredible rifle but I believe that in .300 Win Mag they have a 1 in 11 twist which will keep you with less success in shooting heavy bullets. Same with the Tikka and I know this is sacrilege on this forum but the Tikkas, while most of the ones that I have shot are quite accurate, they just feel clunky and aren't as nice/polished as the others three and I like to have a tool that feels good along with shooting accurately in my hands.
The Kimbers and Christensens that I have, shoot very well and feel good in my hands.

 

[TNKnoxville]

I love my Browning XBolt Max Long Range 300 Win Mag. It has a muzzle brake and 1 in 8" twist. Only mod you might want is the $12 MCarbo trigger spring. An upgrade to a Timney trigger is $179. Mine shoots 220 ELDX's at 0.5 MOA!!!!!!!!

You can also look at the XBolt Speed, I have a 30 06, Western Hunter (I have a 28 Nosler) and a few others in 300 Win which are a bit lighter than the Max.

 

[Kotaman]

Sako Finnlight is one of my favorite production guns made. Light years better than Christensen IMO and I own a few Christensen’s.

 

[Brendan]

11 Twist is a no-go for me in 300 WM. 1-10 is at the very least, I'd prefer 9 or even 8. But, depends the loads you want to shoot.

That X Bolt Long Range has interesting specs, but if you're not using a real lightweight scope it's a 10# gun or more

Any weight target? I might be leaning towards a Kimber or Christensen off the shelf depending on weight / use.

Tikka you can always swap the barrel and stock pretty easily, but don't they have OAL issues with LA cartridges like the 300WM?

 

[oneshotGA]

I have some Remington 700s (cause really who doesn't have a few laying around) in various configurations, and I have a couple Sako rifles as well. I have a Sako 300 win mag based on the M995 action and it is one of my very favorite rifles. Personally, I agree with @7layerburrito and I doubt you could go wrong with the Sako in this case.

 

[Montana Slim]

I almost picked up a 300wm in a model 70 ewss last fall... no experience how they shoot, but man I wish I hadn't passed on it because I am still thinking about it. I have heard some good things about then.
It was a very nice rifle for about $1000. Anyways, just another to consider.

 

[Devildogg]

I bought a bergara premier highlander last fall. I had a ca Mesa and ridge line that I traded for the highlander. I like the ca rifles but I really like the bergara. It’s heavier than the ca rifles but seems more like a custom rifle than a production gun. Have a kimber too love that rifle as well. Sorry no help but out of all of them I think the bergara is my favorite.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Thanks for the input. I should have clarified it is a finnlight 1.0. MSRP around $1800.

 

[ktm450]

I think Sako makes the best gun in the $1500 range and is much nicer than CA or my Brownings. My Sako .300WM is great with everything up to 208grain. I have not tried anything heavier. The 1-11 twist might matter for 215-and heavier, but I have never had an issue. When I want something heavier, I grab a .338.

 

[Howiemoth]

I have a 300 win mag that I am not in love with. It a Remington 700 AWR. Not a bad gun but I have an itch to upgrade it.

there is a sako finnlight in my local gun shop that is tempting me. List is $1495. For the same price there are some other good options that I can consider so I wanted to see what others thought. I want to keep it in the $1000 to $1500 zip code for the gun. Not interested in a build or something needing heavy modification. Thinking about a few names but open to suggestions.

- kimber
- tikka t3x roughtek
- Christensen

I have a NIB/Unfired orig T3 Hunter .300 winmag here in the Rokslide Classifieds for $650.00 spend the rest of your budget on good glass/diff stock if you prefer synth.. Comes w/Tikka/Burris rings (also unused).

 

[thinhorn_AK]

A Kimber Montana 300wm is on my short list of rifles I’d really like to have.

 

[7layerburrito]

A Kimber Montana 300wm is on my short list of rifles I’d really like to have.

After shooting .270 my whole life I picked one up last fall and really love it.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

After shooting .270 my whole life I picked one up last fall and really love it.

If I come across one I’m going to buy it.

 

[Dalep]

I hunted this year with a Kimber montana 300wm. My buddy had the ascent. Both were great guns and havnt found anything to complain about with either. These were our first Kimber rifles and would buy another. I read ALOT about them before purchase and consensus was good. The accuracy is hard to argue with as well. Strongly recommend a muzzle break on a lightweight 300

 

[Flyjunky]

Out of those listed it would be either the Mesa or Kimber. I would also throw in another vote for the Xbolt in any configuration depending on your needs.

The Sako would absolutely be a no go for me as well with the 1-11. Why handicap yourself right off the bat?

 

[Mslengnr]

I have a 300 win mag that I am not in love with. It a Remington 700 AWR. Not a bad gun but I have an itch to upgrade it.

there is a sako finnlight in my local gun shop that is tempting me. List is $1495. For the same price there are some other good options that I can consider so I wanted to see what others thought. I want to keep it in the $1000 to $1500 zip code for the gun. Not interested in a build or something needing heavy modification. Thinking about a few names but open to suggestions.

- kimber
- tikka t3x roughtek
- Christensen

My Christensen Mesa in .300 has been great. Looks good too. Maybe wish I would have sprung for the carbon fiber barrel and done the ridgeline