I'm really happy with my 308 but would like to look into purchasing a 300 Win Mag. I am up in the air as to whether to buy the AIAW 300 or have a custom built? What do you all think?
Which 300 Win Mag
- Thread starter TacticalRem
- Start date
Re: Which 300 Win Mag
I agree with Rob01. While AIs are nice rifles there is no factory rifle that will ever compare to a rifle hand built to your specs that fits you properly. APA, GAP, Tac Ops, etc......all built top notch products and they are my choice every time over a factory rifle.
I agree with Rob01. While AIs are nice rifles there is no factory rifle that will ever compare to a rifle hand built to your specs that fits you properly. APA, GAP, Tac Ops, etc......all built top notch products and they are my choice every time over a factory rifle.
Re: Which 300 Win Mag
My first 300WM was put together this year from parts and pieces that I purchased or traded off of the Hide.
First I bought an unfired custom built barreled action - Rem SS 700LA with a Schneider 26" Heavy Varmit contour with 1/10 polygonal rifling, with threaded break. Built by Rim Country in AZ.
Then I bought a used AICS 1.5 green stock, and had the recoil lug slot opened up (wider) for the over-sized lug.
After veryfying the gun was a good shooter by using a temporary HS stock that I got with the barreled action, I sent the barreled action off to Leather Built Customs in TX to have the recoil lug ground down to fit (depth) the AICS stock lug slot, recrown the barrel, smooth out the bolt face and rim since most cases where getting caught and not ejecting (Sako extractor), and then have everything Cerikoted OD Green.
When I got the barreled action back a few weeks later, I dropped it in the AI stock, bedded a Near Mfg 25-moa rail (with loctite 409), and then mounted a Premier 5-25x56 via medium height zero-moa Near Mfg Alpha mount (double ring).
My first five round group resulted in a flyer (cold bore shot), and the remaining four rounds printed a 5/8" group. I was using Southwest Ammo 220-gr SMK which chrono'd at around 3000-fps - YES, THREE THOUSAND! Which I was suspecting because I called the folks at Schneider before buying to ask detailed questions. They told me to expect higher velocities with the polygonal rifling.
Then off to load developement. When I almost lost all hope because I felt I wasn't getting anywhere, I found a sweet load; 208-gr Amax, 75-gr of H1000, Fed 215M, and a OAL of 3.60" I'm now shooting anywhere between 0.25 and 0.50 5-round groups and the occasional flyer is me, not the rifle. I haven't had a chance to chrono the final load, but I'm guessing it's running around 2850-fps based on the loads I tried during rifle pre-testing.
Boy, I couldn't be happier. Especially when this all started, the intention was to build an Elk rifle for this Fall's third season hunt. I didn't draw a tag, but I ended up with an awesome rifle.
I'll try to post pictures when I get that part figured out.
My first 300WM was put together this year from parts and pieces that I purchased or traded off of the Hide.
First I bought an unfired custom built barreled action - Rem SS 700LA with a Schneider 26" Heavy Varmit contour with 1/10 polygonal rifling, with threaded break. Built by Rim Country in AZ.
Then I bought a used AICS 1.5 green stock, and had the recoil lug slot opened up (wider) for the over-sized lug.
After veryfying the gun was a good shooter by using a temporary HS stock that I got with the barreled action, I sent the barreled action off to Leather Built Customs in TX to have the recoil lug ground down to fit (depth) the AICS stock lug slot, recrown the barrel, smooth out the bolt face and rim since most cases where getting caught and not ejecting (Sako extractor), and then have everything Cerikoted OD Green.
When I got the barreled action back a few weeks later, I dropped it in the AI stock, bedded a Near Mfg 25-moa rail (with loctite 409), and then mounted a Premier 5-25x56 via medium height zero-moa Near Mfg Alpha mount (double ring).
My first five round group resulted in a flyer (cold bore shot), and the remaining four rounds printed a 5/8" group. I was using Southwest Ammo 220-gr SMK which chrono'd at around 3000-fps - YES, THREE THOUSAND! Which I was suspecting because I called the folks at Schneider before buying to ask detailed questions. They told me to expect higher velocities with the polygonal rifling.
Then off to load developement. When I almost lost all hope because I felt I wasn't getting anywhere, I found a sweet load; 208-gr Amax, 75-gr of H1000, Fed 215M, and a OAL of 3.60" I'm now shooting anywhere between 0.25 and 0.50 5-round groups and the occasional flyer is me, not the rifle. I haven't had a chance to chrono the final load, but I'm guessing it's running around 2850-fps based on the loads I tried during rifle pre-testing.
Boy, I couldn't be happier. Especially when this all started, the intention was to build an Elk rifle for this Fall's third season hunt. I didn't draw a tag, but I ended up with an awesome rifle.
I'll try to post pictures when I get that part figured out.
Re: Which 300 Win Mag
Go custom and get it specifically throated for the bullet you want to shoot.
Go custom and get it specifically throated for the bullet you want to shoot.
Re: Which 300 Win Mag
It all depends on how much $$$ you have to fund the project. More $ now, build exactly what you want. Less $ now, buy what you can afford or save until you can build. A built gun will out perform stock.
It all depends on how much $$$ you have to fund the project. More $ now, build exactly what you want. Less $ now, buy what you can afford or save until you can build. A built gun will out perform stock.
Re: Which 300 Win Mag
Id just get a Rem 5R or SF II, drop it in a Manners stock of choice, mount good optics, maybe a brake if you're so inclined, and shoot it. Then if you feel the 300 WM is for you, and if it don't quite meet your accuracy expectations, send it to a smith for truing and re-barrel.
Id just get a Rem 5R or SF II, drop it in a Manners stock of choice, mount good optics, maybe a brake if you're so inclined, and shoot it. Then if you feel the 300 WM is for you, and if it don't quite meet your accuracy expectations, send it to a smith for truing and re-barrel.
Re: Which 300 Win Mag
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how much money do you got?</div></div>
I like this question. Deep pockets = Very Nice Custom build.
Although I myself started with a remington 700, and went from there. Turned out very nice.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how much money do you got?</div></div>
I like this question. Deep pockets = Very Nice Custom build.
Although I myself started with a remington 700, and went from there. Turned out very nice.
Re: Which 300 Win Mag
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: furtaker_.223</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how much money do you got?</div></div>
I like this question. Deep pockets = Very Nice Custom build.
Although I myself started with a remington 700, and went from there. Turned out very nice. </div></div>
AS always Furtake hit it.... MONEY is the big issue unless you have deep pockets and you only want the best just for bragging rights to say you have 10 S&B scopes and you have on all your AI rifles etc... its all BS if you ask me!!!! They probably cant shoot em anyways....
If your looking for a rifle as a hunting rig, you don't NEED to speed $5,000 on a rifle to shoot an elk at 600yds... ANY Remington, Savage or Winchester can do that all day long with a GOOD scope and a good load..... Save the money and buy factory (possibly upgrade stock) and put on some good rings and glass... Leupold-Zeiss-Highend Nikon will do the trick...
Don't fall for the asswipes to tell you to buy a Full custom gun for $5,000 when you don't have the need for such a gun for your application.... The gun doesnt make you a shooter, YOU and your techniques and skill do... Remember you can give a shitty shooter a $5000 rifle and they coouldn't shoot MOA groups to save their life, but give that same rifle to say Tom Sarver or any other excellent marksmen and they shoot .25moa all day with it....
BUY WHAT YOU NEED NOT WHAT YOU WANT JUST FOR BRAGGING PURPOSES, UNLESS OF COURSE YOU HAVE DEEP POCKETS... JMTC
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: furtaker_.223</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how much money do you got?</div></div>
I like this question. Deep pockets = Very Nice Custom build.
Although I myself started with a remington 700, and went from there. Turned out very nice. </div></div>
AS always Furtake hit it.... MONEY is the big issue unless you have deep pockets and you only want the best just for bragging rights to say you have 10 S&B scopes and you have on all your AI rifles etc... its all BS if you ask me!!!! They probably cant shoot em anyways....
If your looking for a rifle as a hunting rig, you don't NEED to speed $5,000 on a rifle to shoot an elk at 600yds... ANY Remington, Savage or Winchester can do that all day long with a GOOD scope and a good load..... Save the money and buy factory (possibly upgrade stock) and put on some good rings and glass... Leupold-Zeiss-Highend Nikon will do the trick...
Don't fall for the asswipes to tell you to buy a Full custom gun for $5,000 when you don't have the need for such a gun for your application.... The gun doesnt make you a shooter, YOU and your techniques and skill do... Remember you can give a shitty shooter a $5000 rifle and they coouldn't shoot MOA groups to save their life, but give that same rifle to say Tom Sarver or any other excellent marksmen and they shoot .25moa all day with it....
BUY WHAT YOU NEED NOT WHAT YOU WANT JUST FOR BRAGGING PURPOSES, UNLESS OF COURSE YOU HAVE DEEP POCKETS... JMTC
Re: Which 300 Win Mag
Yeah thats a comfortable and practicle hunting rig...Like to carry that up some step grades for 12+ hours... lol...
food for thought rigs in the factory group...
Savage 111FCXP @ buds for $393 its syn.stock blued with a cheap 3-9 scope or the 116 syn.stock w/hindge floor plate for $500..
Remington 700 SPS for $525
Winchester Ultimate Shadow for $639 or the winchester Featherweight in the 300WSM for $731 or the Winchester 300 Win. Sporter w/Satin Finish Walnut Stock & Blue for $731
How bout the Weatherby Vanguard bolt action 300 Winchester Mag for $406
Browning XBolt in 300 win mag Stalker/Black Composite St for $680 or Browning XBolt in 300 win mag wood stock and stainless for $738 or even go for the Browning A-Bolt Composite Stalker 300 Win Mag Boss for $800...
so comparing al the above guns mentioned above, the $5000 custom guns arent going to kill a elk any faster or better then the guns above..ONE thing is you'll save $3000 for a good scope and load development or even test with highend factory ammo... Try some Federal Gold Match in 190gr. More then enough to drop an elk, try some Corbon ammo or Southwest ammo. Test a few types if your not reloading.... JMTC
Yeah thats a comfortable and practicle hunting rig...Like to carry that up some step grades for 12+ hours... lol...
food for thought rigs in the factory group...
Savage 111FCXP @ buds for $393 its syn.stock blued with a cheap 3-9 scope or the 116 syn.stock w/hindge floor plate for $500..
Remington 700 SPS for $525
Winchester Ultimate Shadow for $639 or the winchester Featherweight in the 300WSM for $731 or the Winchester 300 Win. Sporter w/Satin Finish Walnut Stock & Blue for $731
How bout the Weatherby Vanguard bolt action 300 Winchester Mag for $406
Browning XBolt in 300 win mag Stalker/Black Composite St for $680 or Browning XBolt in 300 win mag wood stock and stainless for $738 or even go for the Browning A-Bolt Composite Stalker 300 Win Mag Boss for $800...
so comparing al the above guns mentioned above, the $5000 custom guns arent going to kill a elk any faster or better then the guns above..ONE thing is you'll save $3000 for a good scope and load development or even test with highend factory ammo... Try some Federal Gold Match in 190gr. More then enough to drop an elk, try some Corbon ammo or Southwest ammo. Test a few types if your not reloading.... JMTC
