300 Win Mag try out!

[Miklo626]

Hi I am looking to buy a 300 win mag or a 308. I have fired a 308 before but I am curious if the 300 has too much recoil for me. Before i sink tons of money into a 300 win mag does anyone want to bring theirs and meet up at burro canyon shooting park in Azusa Canyon? i can supply ammo if anyone wants to meet up so i can give your rifle a try!

Thanks!

[M1NM]

Recoil will be dependent on what gun you buy. Try one that fits how you want to shoot it. Light hunting rifle or heavier target model. Most light barrel hunting guns will only shoot about 3 rounds before the heat causes the groups to open up.

[ar15barrels]

What's the intended use?
If you want a target rifle where you can shoot over 20 rounds in a day without being beat up, you want a 308.
If you are looking for a hunting rifle that you will rarely fire more than 5 rounds in a day, then a 300 win mag will be fine.

[middleofnowhere]

With threaded barrels and muzzle brakes, no problem shooting a magnum.

https://youtu.be/MFdj7ezI320

[DarkSoul]

My target bolt gun is a pretty forgiving on the recoil, I can shoot about 30-40 rounds before I start flinching. My Falkor Petra on the other hand I can shoot all day, and hit out to 1000. Of course the sticker shock in the Petra will certainly leave a mark.

[hj_S14]

OP, I may meet up with another cal gunner toward the end of this month, I will bring my Mrad with 300 wm or axmc 338. PM me, you are more than welcome to shoot them

[JackEllis]

What are you planing to do with this rifle? Why do you think you need the .300 win mag?

For any game you'd want to hunt in California, a .308 is enough gun. You'd need something bigger for moose and brown bears. If you're hunting buffalo, lion or similarly-sized game in Africa, you'll need something in the .375 range or bigger.

A .300 is pretty spendy for target shooting.

[JMP]

As others have indicated, I'd say that it depends on what your goal is. A 308 isn't in the same league as a 300WM, and it's kind of a waste of ammo to shoot it at short Burro Canyon ranges. If you need to ask, a 308 is probably the way to go. Personally, I do not shoot 300WM. It's a good cartridge, but I favor stepping up to a 338 Lapua Magnum in lieu of the 300WM as I find it a very nice shooting cartridge, and it isn't that much more costly to run than a 300WM when you consider barrel life. Some people are more sensitive than others when it comes to recoil. With the big cartridges that can pack 100gr of powder or more, I do not have an issue with recoil so long as the rifle has a good weight distribution and a muzzle brake. On the really big stuff like 375s, 416s, and 50s, which pretty much require a good muzzle brake, it isn't the recoil that wears me. Rather it's the brain rattle from the brakes shockwave that wears me down.

[hj_S14]

I still need to see your 375 and 416 set up

As others have indicated, I'd say that it depends on what your goal is. A 308 isn't in the same league as a 300WM, and it's kind of a waste of ammo to shoot it at short Burro Canyon ranges. If you need to ask, a 308 is probably the way to go. Personally, I do not shoot 300WM. It's a good cartridge, but I favor stepping up to a 338 Lapua Magnum in lieu of the 300WM as I find it a very nice shooting cartridge, and it isn't that much more costly to run than a 300WM when you consider barrel life. Some people are more sensitive than others when it comes to recoil. With the big cartridges that can pack 100gr of powder or more, I do not have an issue with recoil so long as the rifle has a good weight distribution and a muzzle brake. On the really big stuff like 375s, 416s, and 50s, which pretty much require a good muzzle brake, it isn't the recoil that wears me. Rather it's the brain rattle from the brakes shockwave that wears me down.

[glock_nor_cal]

I know you were speaking about 300 Win Mag--I have no experience with the cartridge, however I have experience with .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor, and I have to say I am very impressed with the 6.5 Creedmoor. It has much less recoil than my .308-I can shoot 100 rounds and be out at the range all day and not be sore after. My .308 (even in a semi-auto AR-10) has noticeably more recoil.

My AR-10 had recoil that would leave me with a bruise prior to me putting a Surefire muzzle brake on it, and now I can shoot it without getting bruised.

I'm a target shooter, and not a hunter, so maybe someone else can chime in about using the 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting-I know a lot of manufacturers are chambering new hunting rifles in it. Your ammo will also be much cheaper to load vs. the 300 WM.

[Droppin Deuces]

300WM without a brake gets old quick. With a decent brake, it's no big deal to shoot all day. I chose the Win Mag because the extra cost to reload compared to .308 is pretty negligible for the extra range you gain.

[AGGRO]

6.5 creed or .260 is a perfect medium sized game hunting gun for S Cal where you might get some longer shots and need something flatter shooting. I don't notice the win mag's recoil shooting at deer but sure notice it target shooting. At least the black and blue shoulder for a week. Your hunting buddies ain't gonna like a muzzle brake.

[Spyder]

I bet you'd be better off with 308. Any hunting you do in California it will be sufficient, and it's one of those "if you're asking the difference, just go with this one" things. If you were up here, I'd be happy to let you shoot any of mine!

[ar15robert]

years ago i wanted a 308 rifle i wanted (sig shr970) but they were sold out got the same one in 300 mag and its a great rifle but the recoil can be hard i will take it to the desert but may only shoot a few rounds i prob have about 700 thru it since 2000.

A .308 would be great for target or all around easier to shoot but the creedmors are sounding nice too.For these reloading would be a plus

[Calif Hunter]

I have a .300 Win in a Tikka T-3 Lite, and even with a Limbsaver pad, it is a jolt on the bench. Very accurate, but not something you shoot benchrest very much. I have a custom Rem 700 in .300 Wthby that does not kick as much due to the weight. Still, about 20 rounds is plenty. On either one, recoil is not noticeable when I am shooting at a buck or a bull. Funny - I killed my biggest buck with the Tikka and my biggest elk with the Rem.

I would not recommend a .300 for target shooting unless you go with a heavy target rifle and possibly a muzzle break....so long as the neighboring shooters put up with the blast.