Final Decision: Which XBolt for Elk?

[BCD]

So I'm down to three choices:

Hells Canyon Speed 300 WSM with 23 inch barrel weighing 6lbs, 8oz
Hells Canyon Speed 300 WIN with 26 inch barrel weighing 6lbs, 13 oz
Hells Canyon Long Range 300 WIN with 26 inch barrel weighing 7 lbs, 13 oz


I'm thinking I won't go with the long range version as it really felt heavy but I'm just not sure. I will be shooting the rifle with the brake on to minimize recoil. Any thoughts on these three?

Thank You!

 

[codym]

How do you hunt? How much are you gonna shoot it in the off season? How far are you comfortable shooting? Reloading or factory ammo?

 

[BCD]

I'm really not sure as this is all new to me. Never been on an Elk hunt. Factory ammo for certain. One of the hunts I am looking at is way back on horses on public land. Another is private and we can pretty much drive to anywhere on the ranch. I will likely do both of these hunts in time. I'm hoping to become proficient out to 350 or 400 yards.

 

[ericF]

Either one will work great for what you want. There is more factory ammunition for 300 win mag than there is for 300 WSM which is a definite benefit. That being said, I take my 300 WSM over my 300 WM for elk every year. The extra weight savings doesn't seem like much, but it will help after multiple days in the field and if you are limiting shots to under 400 yards then the extra barrel length of the 300 WM won't give you any real benefit. Plus you will find the shorter action of the 300 WSM along with barrel length easier to maneuver. Really no bad choice here though.

 

[DangerRanger]

The cheaper one. There is so little difference between them. Win mag ammo is a little easier to find.

 

[BCD]

They are all pretty much the same price.

 

[JeffRaines]

Hunting style is a big one.

If you're the type to hike in and glass mountains/basins day-in day-out the LR might not be such a bad idea... especially if you eventually want to become comfortable/confident out to extended ranges... but, if you're putting in 12 miles a day, you'll definitely appreciate the weight savings of the lighter rifle.

 

[howl]

heavy gun, no break

 

[JWP58]

They'll all work. It just personal preference.

 

[BCsteve]

I’d go .300 WSM with the 23” barrel. 26” is getting long for my taste.

 

[HookUp]

I vote Hells Canyon Speed 300 WSM with 23 inch barrel weighing 6lbs, 8oz
Did a great job for me this past October on my first branch bull tag. with the factory brake it has .243 level recoil.
One shot 180 gr AB

 

[codym]

If they are the same price I would definitely take the one with the Mcmillan stock. Its a little heavier but will have a higher value if you sale. Not sure about the xbolt stocks but on my factory guns the factory trigger and stock are usually the first places that need an upgrade, so you would be ahead of the game in the stock department. I’m a 300 win mag fan so that would be my choice. If you were going backpacking I would go with the 300wsm and shorter barrel. If your new to either caliber I would recommend a break. Lots of new shooters want a 30 mag, but quickly develop a flinch or dislike of shooting the gun due to the heavy recoil. A break will make it much more manageable and therefore allow you to shoot more which is the biggest part of the equation in my opinion.

 

[JeffRaines]

If they are the same price I would definitely take the one with the Mcmillan stock. Its a little heavier but will have a higher value if you sale. Not sure about the xbolt stocks but on my factory guns the factory trigger and stock are usually the first places that need an upgrade, so you would be ahead of the game in the stock department. I’m a 300 win mag fan so that would be my choice. If you were going backpacking I would go with the 300wsm and shorter barrel. If your new to either caliber I would recommend a break. Lots of new shooters want a 30 mag, but quickly develop a flinch or dislike of shooting the gun due to the heavy recoil. A break will make it much more manageable and therefore allow you to shoot more which is the biggest part of the equation in my opinion.

Agreed on the brake.

I have a Kimber Montana in 308 and I’ve gotta say I’m glad I didn’t get a LA/Magnum. The 308 even braked still has a pretty good punch... which it’s the Kimber brake. I question the actual effectiveness of it.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Id get the WSM

 

[LightFoot]

+1 for the WSM.

The shorter length and weight savings outweigh the benefits of ammo availability of the 300 Win.

Negligible difference in performance between the two cartridges.

300 WSM is readily available at most sporting good stores.



Sent from my SM-G892U using Tapatalk

 

[Bisley45]

Man, I'm pretty sure you will like any of them. I have a 30.06 xbolt hunter that I will be taking to Idaho next October. If I was buying an "Elk rifle", I would pick the 300 wsm with the 23 inch barrel.

The xbolt is a fantastic rifle, I love mine. The trigger isn't bad out of the box but it was a little heavier than I wanted. Mcarbo makes a spring that makes it perfect.

 

[Mr Drysdale]

No one has mentioned the twist difference between the Speed and the long Range. I believe the Speed is 1 in 10 and the Long Range is 1 in 8. For the heavy’s the Long Range would stabilize better. Correct me if I’m wrong please. It may be the Pro instead of the Long Range.

 

[HookUp]

I have shot 200 gr AB out of mine and they shot an amazing group.

 

[BCD]

Lots of love for the WSM here! I came into this fully convinced I would go with the 300WIN but the 26 inch barrel really turned me off after handling a couple of them. My only other consideration would be going with a Bergara Hunter 300 WIN with 24 inch barrel but I'm kind of sold on the XBolt at this point.

 

[KINGSNAKE]

I would go hells canyon with the mcmillan