Hunting & Fishing 300WM for Moose/Elk
- Thread starter NYShooter
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Re: 300WM for Moose/Elk
I just bought a Remington 700 5R 300WM for my elk hunt this year. I got the one with the 24" threaded barrel so I could run my can and I also dropped it into a McMillan HTG for a little more hunting friendly setup. Then I slapped a 5.5-22 NXS on it. Planning on running 200gr Nosler accubonds around 3000fps and it should be an elk hammer. As soon as duck season closes on Sunday, it's load development time. This is going to be my longer range, less hiking, heavier rifle.
I will also be taking my R700 SS 30-06 running 180 Nosler accubonds for shorter range/more hiking work.
I just bought a Remington 700 5R 300WM for my elk hunt this year. I got the one with the 24" threaded barrel so I could run my can and I also dropped it into a McMillan HTG for a little more hunting friendly setup. Then I slapped a 5.5-22 NXS on it. Planning on running 200gr Nosler accubonds around 3000fps and it should be an elk hammer. As soon as duck season closes on Sunday, it's load development time. This is going to be my longer range, less hiking, heavier rifle.
I will also be taking my R700 SS 30-06 running 180 Nosler accubonds for shorter range/more hiking work.
Re: 300WM for Moose/Elk
To get any solid, useable recommendations you really have to give more info regarding the type of hunting you plan on doing.
Thick brush and timber? Higher country lightweight / backpack style hunts? Any long range hunting plans (+700yds)?
Budget?
To get any solid, useable recommendations you really have to give more info regarding the type of hunting you plan on doing.
Thick brush and timber? Higher country lightweight / backpack style hunts? Any long range hunting plans (+700yds)?
Budget?
Re: 300WM for Moose/Elk
I love my remington 700.s. I have a 30-06 and 300 ultra both are toped with leupold 4.5x14. I picked the ultra over the 300wm for a bit more reach and I couldn't find a WM in the LSS.
I love my remington 700.s. I have a 30-06 and 300 ultra both are toped with leupold 4.5x14. I picked the ultra over the 300wm for a bit more reach and I couldn't find a WM in the LSS.
Re: 300WM for Moose/Elk
Bullet placement is most important, we all use too much gun. Just make you are accurate with it
Bullet placement is most important, we all use too much gun. Just make you are accurate with it
Re: 300WM for Moose/Elk
Tikka T3 or Tikka T3 SL. Light weight for toting, good accuracy out of the box, good trigger out of the box, detachable magazine, takes a good beating, rings supplied with rifle, in my opinion and experience selling Tikkas for years, the best rifle for the money especially out of the box performance and quality control; only sent one back for warranty work even at the suggestion the lack of accuracy 1moa guarantee was shooters fault that Beretta confirmed, cant say that for the other manufactures.
Top it with 2-8xish quality scope, right now I prefer Vortex, use Partition bullets and put the bullet is the engine room and the animal will tip over.
Tikka T3 or Tikka T3 SL. Light weight for toting, good accuracy out of the box, good trigger out of the box, detachable magazine, takes a good beating, rings supplied with rifle, in my opinion and experience selling Tikkas for years, the best rifle for the money especially out of the box performance and quality control; only sent one back for warranty work even at the suggestion the lack of accuracy 1moa guarantee was shooters fault that Beretta confirmed, cant say that for the other manufactures.
Top it with 2-8xish quality scope, right now I prefer Vortex, use Partition bullets and put the bullet is the engine room and the animal will tip over.
Re: 300WM for Moose/Elk
I was originally looking at the Tikka T3, but am now seriously considering: Savage 116 Bear Hunter
Comes with muzzle break that can be turned off/on, nice recoil pad, 21" barrel, 7.75lbs
I was originally looking at the Tikka T3, but am now seriously considering: Savage 116 Bear Hunter
Comes with muzzle break that can be turned off/on, nice recoil pad, 21" barrel, 7.75lbs
Re: 300WM for Moose/Elk
In my <span style="font-style: italic">opinion</span>, with a 21" barrel, you are going to lose too much velocity to make the .300WM a viable and efficient choice. Might as well go with a .30-06 or .308, or even some sort of 7mm non-magnum selection. Bullet selection and shot placement will go a lot further in cleanly taking an elk.
And brand of choice for me is Remington.
In my <span style="font-style: italic">opinion</span>, with a 21" barrel, you are going to lose too much velocity to make the .300WM a viable and efficient choice. Might as well go with a .30-06 or .308, or even some sort of 7mm non-magnum selection. Bullet selection and shot placement will go a lot further in cleanly taking an elk.
And brand of choice for me is Remington.
Wear hearing protection. If you're dead set on the .300 WM, I'd still go with a sporter. I have a friend who took a .300 WM Sendero on his first elk hunt, promptly sold it when he returned. I've spent enough time hoofing my Sendero to know that I don't like carrying heavy-barrel rifles very far. like a poster above mentioned, great rifle ... if you're not planning to move it too far.
In sporters, I'm liking the Winchester 70's these days. In fact, if you want a real spiffy .300 mag for hiking, you can get the .300 WSM in a featherweight. You will have to be able to shoot it, though. Recoil will be snappy.
you might prefer a Savage or a Remington, however. Like everyone says ... handle the rifles before you buy. It can make your choice much easier.
whoops! thought you were the OP. but yeah, that Savage is gonna be LOUD. It is also going to be much heavier than the Tikka, and probably much less of a kicker with the extra weight and brake. The Tikkas are svelte, but I personally have no interest in shooting one in a .300 Mag. My .300 WM is a 10 lb Savage LE model, and I'd just assume it was even heavier for the recoil.
My hunting set up is a Winchester Model 70 Stainless in .300WM, upgraded the stock to a McMillan, and then did a Shilen etc. That being said it started off as a Stock M70 and killed a lot of stuff. My father in law shoots the Tikka T3 in .300WSM and is Happy with it. My father shoots a Stainless M70, I upgraded the stock to a Mcmillan. My Mom shoots a Browning A-Bolt in .300WSM with a custom wood stock. A good friend of her's who she hunts with uses a Browning A-bolt SS with boss. I think she has 4 or 5 elk to her name with that rifle.
All have performed on elk (and a few moose). Find the one that fits you best. I prefer a M70 as you can lock the bolt with the 3 Position Safety. Or the T3 also does the same in a two position (I believe). I love 700's for tac, LR etc, but never been a fan of them for elk hunting. Mostly because I like to lock the bolt. (My preference more than anything).
I like the 180 Grain Accubonds, or the 180 Grain Barnes TSX's for my elk loads. Moose I would stick with the TSX's as the Accubonds lose about 1/3 of there weight on elk.
All have performed on elk (and a few moose). Find the one that fits you best. I prefer a M70 as you can lock the bolt with the 3 Position Safety. Or the T3 also does the same in a two position (I believe). I love 700's for tac, LR etc, but never been a fan of them for elk hunting. Mostly because I like to lock the bolt. (My preference more than anything).
I like the 180 Grain Accubonds, or the 180 Grain Barnes TSX's for my elk loads. Moose I would stick with the TSX's as the Accubonds lose about 1/3 of there weight on elk.
My son has a Savage 116 in .300WSM. It has the Accu-stock and trigger. It shoots lights out with 180gr Accubonds over H4831. I have the same rifle in .260 and it's a flat out tack driver too. I'm sure the .300WM would shoot just as well.
Sako A-series, Remington 700 PSS, and Tikka all make great factory rifles. I'd start looking there. My dad hunted for years with a 7mm rem mag but has switched to a 300 WM a few years back (Rem 700 PSS). Had a good smith put a brake on it and he really likes it.
45.308 After hearing all your advice on other forums, I just ordered my Tikka T3 lite stainless in 300wm. This is going to be my western big game rifle. What mount and rings are you using? Also what model vortex are you running? I was thinking pst but not sure on the illuminated reticle.
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My buddy just bought the Tikka T3 lite in .300 WM and loves it. He went with rings from EGW and they are really nice. A Vortex PST 4-16 FFP Rides in those rings and it is a sick setup. Check out those rings and the scope. You will be very happy.
Talley rings, I do prefer Vortex mostly their rets for PST line as they have given me and my family lots of support its they are heavy, I have Leupolds that are decades old that have never failed and I like their 2-7 or 2.5-8 scopes for hunting rigs. Vortex for fun rigs. I just picked up PST 1-4 so I am giving them some love too. Old faithful or new love! If I was doing it all again, I would still run those Leupy on hunting rigs.
good luck
Million dollar quote.
ANY cartridge from .25 cal on up, shooting a quality slug that will stick together, will kill an elk if you pop both lungs. They have a really big heart/lung kill zone.
The crap hits the fan when you have to take a less than perfect broadside shot, with a fragile bullet that breaks apart. Or overly long ranges and/or a shooter who can't shoot from field positions. I've guided a few dozen elk hunters over the years...believe me...I have seen it all.
OP....BUY whatever suits you from 7mm on up to .338 cal that YOU CAN ACCURATELY SHOOT from FIELD POSITIONS. Place a decent bullet in the heart/lung area and your soon taking victory pictures.
