Calibers other than .308?

[pepperbelly]

While looking around I found a remington 5R for sale. The thing that got me thinking is that it isn't .308, it's .300 Win Mag.
I know this would be a magnum length action, and take more powder when loading, but are there any other drawbacks?
Are there any big advantages?
Are there any other calibers that work well for long range shooting?

Jim

 

[dareposte]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

Barrel life is significantly shorter in a 300 win mag. I've heard numbers like 2000-3000 rounds... maybe other people can comment from experience shooting one out as I've never owned one.

The big advantage is the ability to push a 220gr SMK (BC=0.629) at 2750 fps. That will definitely get out there, it stays supersonic out to about 1500 yds.

 

[Duckdog]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

Nothing wrong with the 300 WM, but, to me, recoil would be my biggest drawback. Again, to me, less recoil is more pleasurable to shoot.

 

[Silver_Bullet_00]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

I shot my cousins 300mag, 5 shots grouped 1.75 moa. Could have done better but recoil flinching got me. After that a I said will never own one because my shoulder was sore and it was not a pleasure to shoot, but then I've had rt shoulder surgery also. He shoots it with no complaint though, and groups less than .5 moa. He target shoots and deer hunts with it. I believe its just a little over kill on North Carolina white tail deer. Nice to have for black bear though.

 

[pepperbelly]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

I didn't know about the accellerated barrel wear.

Jim

 

[desertHK]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dareposte</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Barrel life is significantly shorter in a 300 win mag. I've heard numbers like 2000-3000 rounds... maybe other people can comment from experience shooting one out as I've never owned one.

The big advantage is the ability to push a 220gr SMK (BC=0.629) at 2750 fps. That will definitely get out there, it stays supersonic out to about 1500 yds. </div></div>

I am pushing my 208 AMAX (0.648 BC) at 3000 fps. Stays supersonic at my location out to beyond 1800 yards.

If you think about it, it's 30 cal bullets so price is about the same as 308. Yes, it takes a bit more powder and burns the barrel out a bit faster, but then again, when you pull the trigger, it makes bigger noise than the 308. LOL

 

[pepperbelly]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

I will just keep looking for a .308. I would love a 5R but don't really need that much rifle. I will keep my eyes open for a good 700P or PSS.

Now that I think I really have the bug I need to sell my flintlock.

Jim

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

My dad uses a 300 winchester mag for hunting and I always used a 30-06 Remington 700 and I've always been able to drop anything that he has so... 300 Win mag might be overkill but for someone shooting Hadjis at and beyond 1000m I'm sure it comes in handy.

Can anybody answer me why there's .308 and then there's 300 Win Mag but there's never any 30-06 sniper rifles anymore??

My dad's buddy was a sniper, not sure which branch, in Vietnam and he used a 30-06 back then.

 

[smboudreaux]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

i have a 5r 300 win mag waitin to be tested. mcm a-5 pillar and recoil lug bedded. i figured it was a limited prd rifle. jump on it. then i did a the work. my hunting rifle is a 325wsm pushing 220's at 3100. recoil is a part of life.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dareposte</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Barrel life is significantly shorter in a 300 win mag. I've heard numbers like 2000-3000 rounds... maybe other people can comment from experience shooting one out as I've never owned one.

The big advantage is the ability to push a 220gr SMK (BC=0.629) at 2750 fps. That will definitely get out there, it stays supersonic out to about 1500 yds. </div></div>

I am pushing my 208 AMAX (0.648 BC) at 3000 fps. Stays supersonic at my location out to beyond 1800 yards.

If you think about it, it's 30 cal bullets so price is about the same as 308. Yes, it takes a bit more powder and burns the barrel out a bit faster, but then again, when you pull the trigger, it makes bigger noise than the 308. LOL </div></div>

May I ask what your load is? I am shooting 185g bergers at 3030 with H1000

 

[pepperbelly]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JelloStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My dad uses a 300 winchester mag for hunting and I always used a 30-06 Remington 700 and I've always been able to drop anything that he has so... 300 Win mag might be overkill but for someone shooting Hadjis at and beyond 1000m I'm sure it comes in handy.

Can anybody answer me why there's .308 and then there's 300 Win Mag but there's never any 30-06 sniper rifles anymore??

My dad's buddy was a sniper, not sure which branch, in Vietnam and he used a 30-06 back then. </div></div>


I may not know what I am talking about, but I think the .308 is preferred over the 30-06 because it is a short action versus the 30-06s long action. It has a shorter bolt throw. I think that may also be a reason the magnum actions aren't more popular.

I don't hunt, and won't be in combat. I doubt I will even shoot much long range. I do want a rifle capable of shooting long range in case I get a chance, otherwise I would just use my AR with open sights at 200 yards.
I asked because I saw an ad for a 5R in .300 Win Mag and got curious.

Jim

 

[splean]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

The 300WM is a great round. As mentioned above it can fire all the .30 cal projectiles and remain supersonic at longer distances. It can also be very accurate depending on your set up. It is a very "hard hitting" round in that the heavier rounds traveling at high speeds will carry a lot of energy to the target. The drawbacks really depend on how you feel about recoil and powder charge if you are reloading. The recoil is significantly heavier than the .308. As far as reloading cartridges goes the typical .308 round averages 42-43gr of power versus the 72-73gr of the 300WM. I hope this helps. Cheers.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Calibers other than .308?

Loaded to full power, the .300WM can be a tad surly. But just as some here can load .30-'06 190gr loads to equal .300WM performance, it should be equal possible to download the.300WM to .30-'06, or perhaps, even .308 Win performance. While this sort of thinking is, at very least, unconventional; it's also something which could tame the wilder side of the beast, while reducing barrel wear and increasing brass life.

When experimenting with loads that are below published minimums, it makes sense to avoid the slower burning powders, and go with faster ones. By staying at or below 190gr with bullet weights, maybe staying with 175's, you should be able to play at performance levels that are similar to the .308-.30-'06 range and get acceptabe 1000yd accuracy. When used at these pressure levels, the .300WM brass should have a long life, and your barrel's throat should not be in serious jeopardy.

And if you want to take the old mare out a quicker sprint, the capability is all still there, just patiently waiting to be used.

Greg