Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

[346ci]

So I was wanting a 700P in .338 Lapua and just can't find one for the price I want to pay. Even if I did get one, the ammo would eat my scope $$$. Anyway, looking to get started in LR shooting and think the 700 5R would be the best way to go for a entry level rifle. I will be using factory loads for now, if I get deeper into the sport I will invest in reloading equipment. My dealer has both and I have fingered each quite a bit.

I'm torn between the .308 and .300WM. Here are the pros and cons I have come up with:

.308
Easy to get great factory rounds such as FGMM.
Not much recoil.
AP rounds available.
The most popular round.

.300WM
Much more power.
More recoil, will have to add a brake I'm thinking.
Not as many good factory loads.

What are ya'lls thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[FF_T_Warren]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

if you just getting into it, go with the .308. You will most likely get better groups out of the .308 as its not quite as hard on the shoulder. it will be cheaper to shoot the 308 too.

 

[Stringer]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

.308 for the reasons you listed.

Plus, belted cartridges are like humans with tails or whales with feet. IMO.

 

[fcordrey]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

.308 and shoot the shit out of it .

 

[flyboy]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 346ci</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So I was wanting a 700P in .338 Lapua and just can't find one for the price I want to pay. Even if I did get one, the ammo would eat my scope $$$. Anyway, looking to get started in LR shooting and think the 700 5R would be the best way to go for a entry level rifle. I will be using factory loads for now, if I get deeper into the sport I will invest in reloading equipment. My dealer has both and I have fingered each quite a bit.

I'm torn between the .308 and .300WM. Here are the pros and cons I have come up with:

.308
Easy to get great factory rounds such as FGMM.
Not much recoil.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">AP rounds available.</span></span>
The most popular round.

.300WM
Much more power.
More recoil, will have to add a brake I'm thinking.
Not as many good factory loads.

What are ya'lls thoughts? Thanks!! </div></div>

Why the feck would that matter. What are you really planing to do with the rifle? Get the 308, unless you know why you need a 300WM, you don't need a 300WM.

 

[346ci]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 346ci</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So I was wanting a 700P in .338 Lapua and just can't find one for the price I want to pay. Even if I did get one, the ammo would eat my scope $$$. Anyway, looking to get started in LR shooting and think the 700 5R would be the best way to go for a entry level rifle. I will be using factory loads for now, if I get deeper into the sport I will invest in reloading equipment. My dealer has both and I have fingered each quite a bit.

I'm torn between the .308 and .300WM. Here are the pros and cons I have come up with:

.308
Easy to get great factory rounds such as FGMM.
Not much recoil.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #CC0000">AP rounds available.</span></span>
The most popular round.

.300WM
Much more power.
More recoil, will have to add a brake I'm thinking.
Not as many good factory loads.

What are ya'lls thoughts? Thanks!! </div></div>

Why the feck would that matter. What are you really planing to do with the rifle? Get the 308, unless you know why you need a 300WM, you don't need a 300WM. </div></div>

LOL, just one of those wants I guess. I have APs/steel core in 7.62X39. A few rounds of .308 would be nice to have for a rainy day.

 

[346ci]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stringer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.308 for the reasons you listed.

Plus, belted cartridges are like humans with tails or whales with feet. IMO. </div></div>

Haha. I'm going to try a buds 300WM this weekend, that should lean me towards the .308. I guess I'm just looking for the most power and my .270WSM makes the .308 look weak. I like them all though.

 

[psinclair]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

.308=cheaper=the most trigger time=proficiancy..IMO.

 

[badshooter]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 346ci</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Haha. I'm going to try a buds 300WM this weekend, that should lean me towards the .308. I guess I'm just looking for the most power and my .270WSM makes the .308 look weak. I like them all though. </div></div>

Looks can be deceiving.

 

[desertHK]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

If you are just getting started in precision shooting, then the 308 is the way to go. You can get lots of time behind the trigger and doping the wind. That way, you won't spend lots of money for ammo when shooting the 300 WM. True, the 300 WM can push far, but unless you reload, you are not going to benefit from that extra range from regular factory ammo. JMHO

 

[346ci]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: badshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 346ci</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Haha. I'm going to try a buds 300WM this weekend, that should lean me towards the .308. I guess I'm just looking for the most power and my .270WSM makes the .308 look weak. I like them all though. </div></div>

Looks can be deceiving. </div></div>

No doubt, my .270WSM is just a pencil barrel Model Seven deer gun. I know it can't compete with the accuracy the .308 5R can give me. However, pure power goes to the .270WSM.

 

[346ci]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are just getting started in precision shooting, then the 308 is the way to go. You can get lots of time behind the trigger and doping the wind. That way, you won't spend lots of money for ammo when shooting the 300 WM. True, the 300 WM can push far, but unless you reload, you are not going to benefit from that extra range from regular factory ammo. JMHO </div></div>

That sounds good, I got a line on some cheap FGMM also. Next I will have to decide on some glass.

 

[clc33]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

what is a 5r?whats the difference between it and say the xcr LTR?

 

[346ci]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: clc33</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what is a 5r?whats the difference between it and say the xcr LTR? </div></div>

The barrel has the 5R milspec rifling. THe rifle has a nice HS stock that the XCR and LTR doesn't have. Here is a copy and paste I found that explains it better:

<span style="font-weight: bold">The rifle derives its name from its barrel. 5-R Milspec refers to the rifling used. 5R-rifling features a radius'd shoulder between the lands and the grooves. Advantages are claimed to be a smoother engraving transition on the bullet jacket which, in theory at least, creates less drag in flight - which means possibly a slightly flatter shooting bullet compared to a bore of standard rifling profile. The second benefit is cleaning. Without the 90-degree angles between lands and grooves, fouling seems less likely to adhere as tenaciously to the bore. Copper fouling may also be reduced. This rifling profile is used in the Army's M24 Sniper rifle. It has a proven track record for accuracy at long range, often making M.O.A. or better shots possible to 1000 yards. The M700SS 5R Milspec has a 24" stainless steel barrel very close in profile to the original 700P Police rifle, before Remington went to the longer 26" tubes on their police line. I've never quite understood the need for a 26" barrel on a .308 rifle meant for tactical law enforcement use, but I've never complained about the slight increase in velocity since 1000 yard shooting was part and parcel of my life for a time. However, when it came to field use, portability and storage, I've always preferred the shorter 24" barrel of the older pre-1990s 700P or current M24. Were I in law enforcement where shots are generally limited, I'd definitely prefer the 24" barrel as urban environments are as likely, or more so, than rural.</span>

 

[Paulus]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

well, the XCR has a B and C stock right from the factory and the LTR DOES INDEED have an HS precision stock as well, its just a much more slim and compact version. It is, however, complete with an aluminum bedding block same as all other HS Precision stocks.


Paulus

 

[OutlawTen5]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 346ci</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Anyway, looking to get started in LR shooting and think the 700 5R would be the best way to go for a entry level rifle.</div></div>

.308 without a doubt

 

[Derek Myers]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

Don't get the 300WM..........you will be real happy with the 308. Shoot it twice as much for the same money. Plus for training purposes you do have an ammo advantage. For training students I go through tons of plastic ammo.....11 grain projectile at 4400fps.....super training aid........my daughter is 8 and she shoots it no problem. Plus you can get an insert to fire 32 acp ammo, very quiet, low/no recoil. Tracer ammo, AP ammo, delinked MG ammo all on the cheap, Plus if you don't want to reload to start you have a great selection of match ready factory ammo. And if you want to try entry level match shooting alot of matches have a 308 only class and some matches are 308 only period.

If you want to start shooting on a regular basis past 1000 yards you can later move up to the 300 WM. I've been shooting for a long time and never have gone bigger than a 308.

Good Shooting-Derek

 

[346ci]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Paulus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">well, the XCR has a B and C stock right from the factory and the LTR DOES INDEED have an HS precision stock as well, its just a much more slim and compact version. It is, however, complete with an aluminum bedding block same as all other HS Precision stocks.


Paulus </div></div>

My bad, I fingered a XCR at the same time as the 5R and knew it wasn't a HS.

 

[346ci]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Derek Myers</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't get the 300WM..........you will be real happy with the 308. Shoot it twice as much for the same money. Plus for training purposes you do have an ammo advantage. For training students I go through tons of plastic ammo.....11 grain projectile at 4400fps.....super training aid........my daughter is 8 and she shoots it no problem. Plus you can get an insert to fire 32 acp ammo, very quiet, low/no recoil. Tracer ammo, AP ammo, delinked MG ammo all on the cheap, Plus if you don't want to reload to start you have a great selection of match ready factory ammo. And if you want to try entry level match shooting alot of matches have a 308 only class and some matches are 308 only period.

If you want to start shooting on a regular basis past 1000 yards you can later move up to the 300 WM. I've been shooting for a long time and never have gone bigger than a 308.

Good Shooting-Derek </div></div>

The ammo choices have pretty much made my decesion. I will step up to a .338LM if I need more power.

The .308 should hold me over for awhile, I already told my dealer to put my name on it.

Thanks fellers! Awesome site!!

 

[Rntobey]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

With your lack of experience, the 308 is the only way to go. Learn how to shoot it really really good & then move up. I started long range shooting three years ago. When I started looking for a rifle, I was looking at a bunch of different calibers, but thank god I listened to a friend with alot of experience & went with a 5R in 308. I dont like recoil or muzzle blast, so the 308 was the perfect match for me. Someday I will do a custom build & it will be a 308.

 

[Jerry m]

Re: Help me decide: Rem 700 5R .308 or .300WM?

Agreed, if you asking the question - Buy a .308.

Good luck

Jerry