300 win mag

[Courtlandfarms]

300wm T3x ultra lite in a grayboe phoenix, mountain tactical trigger spring and a NF optic is about as good of a hunting rifle as I could imagine. Shoots 180gr swift scirocco IIs very well.

 

[Davyalabama]

I'm partial to an old Steyr I've had for right around 24 years or so. It's topped with a Zeiss Diavari. Now that big 56 scope isn't for lugging through mountains, but that combo has been very deadly. 400 isn't anything to sneeze at with the wind blowing, find something you like to shoot a lot. If you have to step down in cartridge a little, do it. That 300 isn't a be all end all, it takes placement and placement takes practice or lots of money on ballistic goodies for your holdover and windage. I started with a 300 years ago because ... let's just say it was put in my hands. It's been a good combo for me and I know what it can do (for me). Lots of rounds, lots of time. Now whatever you get --------- make sure it has a trigger you geehaw with or put one in it. It isn't just breaking at "1.5 lbs." or "little creep" or "crisp", it is about the trigger and your finger meshing. It's like picking the right woman, sometimes the right one comes along straightaway, others it takes a whole bunch, but when its right, wooooweee, it's better than music or any liquor. You just touch it and it lights a fire that can't ever be extinguished, its just ..... I'm going to go wake the wife up or break that gun out if I keep typing.

 

[Ringbill27]

Not trying to stop a fellas from buying another gun but, I would spend about half that get some reloading gear and load up some hammers...you can find what you need used maybe save even more...

This is what I’d do as well. He already has a 300 short mag. Reload and fine tune it. Buying a different rifle may end up in the same spot with a rifle that doesn’t shot coppers well.

 

[lyingflatlander]

If you do buy, I second the Tikka .300 WM. I love mine and am currently shooting 400 yards. You’ll blow out the bullseye at 200.

 

[deltadukman]

I have a Bergera Ridge(I think), the cheapest one they make that's threaded in .300wm. It shoots factory federal loaded 185 Bergers extremely well. 3 shot groups all 1/2" or a little less. It's impressive. It's not light, nothing fancy, but it just shoots. I think it was an $800 rifle. It also shoots the federal loaded 180 Barnes TSX that tight. I did not like anything Barnes loaded or the tipped tsx in any weight.

 

[jhoff04]

+1 for the Tikka. I have the T3 lite stainless .300 WM and it groups very well. Recoil was awful until I put a suppressor on it, though.

My dad just bought a Seekins PH2 .300 WM and that thing will take any type of ammo you throw at it. Very impressive right out of the box. I'd consider that as another option if it's in your budget. It'll be more comfortable to shoot.

 

[WW2 Buff]

Choice Ammunition has 4 different copper loads for your 300 WSM. Buy 1 sample box so you get 5 rounds each of the 4 copper loads. Might be worth one more shot with your 300 WSM your rifle may like one of the 4.

 

[ReddingArcher]

Tikka. But I’d reconsider the 300 wm. They just aren’t fun to shoot. I rebarreled mine to a 6.5 prc a few months ago and it’s much more fun to shoot!

 

[TaperPin]

I am going to buy a 300 win mag. Live in California but hunt in other states also. Need a gun to accurately shoot to 400 yards max. Has to be able to shoot copper bullets. I have a 300 browning short win mag that I cannot find a copper bullet it can shoot. More ammo available for win mag. Price 2,000 or less. Thanks in advance for gun recommendations.

There is definitely no guarantee any new rifle will reliably shoot a copper bullet, but the barrel is key.

Since you have $2k I’d do what Keith did and buy a used base rifle for the action, throw a cheap after market stock on it, and have a top quality barrel installed by an accuracy minded gunsmith.

If you like to tinker, pick up a rifle that can use a barrel nut barrel. My $200 Remington 700 and a $400 Shilen barrel with a nut from Midway has been a lot of accuracy for the money.

Tikka has a lot of options as well.

Finally, pick a used rifle you like, clean it, shoot a enough to know if it’s good or not, sell it for the purchase price, buy/shoot another, rinse and repeat until you find a good one.

I’ve been where you are and it sucks having a rifle that won’t shoot the bullet you want to use. Custom barrel from one of the top companies makes life much much easier.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

after moving down to a 308 roughtech and a 243 T3x hunter, both used with suppressor on the end, i can truly say sighting in my 7 mag and a buddy's 300WM was a truly bruising event. i'm too old to be chasing wounded game too hence the .243. it's a laser beam and fun to shoot, even without a can on the end.

don't get me wrong, it's kinda fun to pull the trigger on some magnums and wallop a target or elk, but it's unnecessary roughing on the quarterback and i'm tired of concussions.