Filling in a gap, 300wm or 7rm or other?

[JLTX]

Good evening, after searching thread history for answers and not finding specific answers, I would like to seek the guidance of those more knowledgeable than me.

-I am looking for a caliber above my .308 (Seekins SP10) and 6.5cm (Tikka T3xTacA1) for a dual use of longer range bench/prone shooting and large NA game hunting.

-I will be shooting factory ammo (when available, ha!)

-Interested in stock offerings, but not against custom put together when things slow down, or providers that will serve as a gc.

-Budget is wide, will be based on $/quality, w a big detractor on headaches.

Thanks to all, hope that your family and you had a blessed Christmas!

 

[gnochi]

Well, Prime makes 300WM ammo that’s properly loaded with good bullets for longrange performance, so I’d lean that direction over 7RM. I don’t see ammo availability being good for any of the Nosler magnums or 300 PRC anytime soon, and unfortunately that axes most customs.

You couldn’t pay me to use a Savage or Remington magnum rifle; if I’m paying that much to feed it I’m going to get something halfway decent. Tikka limits you on cartridge overall length so I wouldn’t lean that direction for a long magnum. The options are below are presented without a particular order of consideration.

1. Just build a custom off of the action etc of your choice. Go through TacOps, Altus, GA Precision, LRI, or someone. Estimated ~$5000, DIY ~$3000
2. Bergara B14 HMR ~$1000
3. Weatherby Mark V Accumark in 300WM, 2700: https://weatherby.com/store/markv-accumark-elite/ ~$3000
4. Keep an eye out for a KMW Longsword

 

[Lost_Phil]

The past few year's has been phenomenal for 30 caliber bullet and cartridge design and it continues to grow, but I will second the 300 Win Mag since arability is good for it and it has been around for a long time. Other more modern options you may want to look at are, 300 RUM, 300 Norma, 300 PRC, 30 Nosler. There are also some improved versions of the 300 PRC and Norma worth looking as well.

For an off the shelf rifle, allot of manufactures have jumped on the 300 PRC bandwagon, so I wild look at Howa, Bergara in that caliber, and for 300 Win Mag, I would look at Howa, Bergara, Tikka.

 

[BGE541]

I’d go 300WM just for the selection of factory ammo... when you can get into handloading, very easy to develop a good load with the powder and bullet of your choice. I’d look at Seekins or Bergeras if you want a budget ish rifle with better-then-most can shoot accuracy.

 

[JLTX]

Thank you all, great input and guidance.

 

[Steel head]

For factory ammunition definitely 300WM or 300 prc.

 

[wpeach1912]

For long action magnums, I am a fan of the 30 cal. 300wm gets the job done well

 

[ffjoey]

Another vote for the 300 WM or PRC. 7mm RM is a bit of a dead caliber by comparison.

 

[JLTX]

Guys, y’all have sold me on the 300wm. Also, the advice up thread on not going with a single provider have resonated. I will turn this over to a talented smith in North Texas. Thank you!

Refresh of my needs for this rifle:

-Bench and prone past my 308 and 6.5 (80%)
-Hunting larger western NA game 2x year (20%)
-Will buy off the shelf ammo
-Will need a qualified professional to put this together. I am (like a good % of the fine folks here) a professional in another industry who values the expertise of a specialist in this exacting industry.

Questions for next step:

-Base: seems like quite a few folks like to buy a Tikka T3x then reformat into a stock of choice. The JRTXM231 seems to fit, but is a 24” barrel and 1:11” twist the optimal beginning step for my needs? Solely based on looking at finished products from AI and Sako. These are an option at a higher price point, but are a last option based on the success of forum participants with diy or partial diy.
-Stock: completely at your guidance. Ideally would be a “quiet” stock w the ability to adjust to my personal ergonomic needs and balance the rifle for optimal performance. This is not an Instagram rifle and hunts are not celebrated through social media (zero offense intended to anyone).
-Scope: completely open here to informed recs from forum members. I currently use NF and Vortex on “shorter” range rifles. I would greatly appreciate any recs for this 300wm.

Many thanks!

 

[wilsoN_]

Guys, y’all have sold me on the 300wm. Also, the advice up thread on not going with a single provider have resonated. I will turn this over to a talented smith in North Texas. Thank you!

Refresh of my needs for this rifle:

-Bench and prone past my 308 and 6.5 (80%)
-Hunting larger western NA game 2x year (20%)
-Will buy off the shelf ammo
-Will need a qualified professional to put this together. I am (like a good % of the fine folks here) a professional in another industry who values the expertise of a specialist in this exacting industry.

Questions for next step:

-Base: seems like quite a few folks like to buy a Tikka T3x then reformat into a stock of choice. The JRTXM231 seems to fit, but is a 24” barrel and 1:11” twist the optimal beginning step for my needs? Solely based on looking at finished products from AI and Sako. These are an option at a higher price point, but are a last option based on the success of forum participants with diy or partial diy.
-Stock: completely at your guidance. Ideally would be a “quiet” stock w the ability to adjust to my personal ergonomic needs and balance the rifle for optimal performance. This is not an Instagram rifle and hunts are not celebrated through social media (zero offense intended to anyone).
-Scope: completely open here to informed recs from forum members. I currently use NF and Vortex on “shorter” range rifles. I would greatly appreciate any recs for this 300wm.

Many thanks!

Why not get a Sako S20 in 300WM, I'm considering one. I also have a TAC A1 in 6.5Cr.

 

[gnochi]

Base: seems like quite a few folks like to buy a Tikka T3x then reformat into a stock of choice.

I strongly advise not doing this. A lot of the good modern 300wm ammo doesn’t fit in the absolute maximum 3.47 COAL that’s possible in a Tikka.

Once you’re going to a smith to get everything out together just the way you like it, it’s really not that much more expensive to start with an action and spin on a barrel.

I would encourage you to look at a 1:9 twist for future proofing against monolithic bullets in factory ammo.