• Winner! Quick Shot Challenge: Caption This Sniper Fail Meme

    View thread

Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

L

lastcall

Private
Minuteman
May 21, 2006
2
0
#1
I am just getting into long range shooting. After researching on this site I have decided to buy a Remington 700 5r MILSPEC. I figured it would be a good starter rifle. I can't decide which caliber to get. I have a few battle rifles and AR's in 308 (FAL, AR-10, SOCOMII). So it would be a plus to have a precision rifle in 308 for ammo simpicity (for a SHTF scenario). But I am leaning towards the 300WM because of the improved ballistics of the round.

Also I will be ordering a NightForce NXS 5.5-22x50 w/ Zero Stop & NP-1/Mil Radian turrents. I'm not sure whether to go with a Badger Ordnance or NightForce 20MOA base w/ rings. From what I understand both companies are GTG. Does anyone know what the shortest height rings I can get away with putting on this rifle (the closer to the bore the better).

Any opinions are appreciated.
 
#3
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lastcall</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am just getting into long range shooting. After researching on this site I have decided to buy a Remington 700 5r MILSPEC. I figured it would be a good starter rifle. I can't decide which caliber to get. I have a few battle rifles and AR's in 308 (FAL, AR-10, SOCOMII). So it would be a plus to have a precision rifle in 308 for ammo simpicity (for a SHTF scenario). But I am leaning towards the 300WM because of the improved ballistics of the round.

Also I will be ordering a NightForce NXS 5.5-22x50 w/ Zero Stop & NP-1/Mil Radian turrents. I'm not sure whether to go with a Badger Ordnance or NightForce 20MOA base w/ rings. From what I understand both companies are GTG. Does anyone know what the shortest height rings I can get away with putting on this rifle (the closer to the bore the better).

Any opinions are appreciated. </div></div>

They're both the same 'caliber' .308, just different cartridges.

This being said, you'll get a lot more barrel life out of the .308 cartridge, than you will the 300 WM. Recoil will be less with the .308, as well as the ammo being cheaper.

Unless you're wanting to shoot out past 1200 yds, or so, or you shoot in a windy area and want to shoot 1k+, stick with the .308.

Chris
 
#4
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

.308 is the better option if your just starting out. .223 wouldnt be a bad option either
 
#5
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lastcall</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am just getting into long range shooting. After researching on this site I have decided to buy a Remington 700 5r MILSPEC. I figured it would be a good starter rifle. I can't decide which caliber to get. I have a few battle rifles and AR's in 308 (FAL, AR-10, SOCOMII). So it would be a plus to have a precision rifle in 308 for ammo simpicity (for a SHTF scenario). But I am leaning towards the 300WM because of the improved ballistics of the round.

Also I will be ordering a NightForce NXS 5.5-22x50 w/ Zero Stop & NP-1/Mil Radian turrents. I'm not sure whether to go with a Badger Ordnance or NightForce 20MOA base w/ rings. From what I understand both companies are GTG. Does anyone know what the shortest height rings I can get away with putting on this rifle (the closer to the bore the better).

Any opinions are appreciated. </div></div>

They're both the same 'caliber' .308, just different cartridges.

This being said, you'll get a lot more barrel life out of the .308 cartridge, than you will the 300 WM. Recoil will be less with the .308, as well as the ammo being cheaper.

Unless you're wanting to shoot out past 1200 yds, or so, or you shoot in a windy area and want to shoot 1k+, stick with the .308.

Chris </div></div>

Agree. You can learn alot from a 308. When you are proficient with a 308, then a larger caliber for longer range is more worth while.... Just saying.
 
#6
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

First bolt, I would go with a 308. It will serve you better than the 300WM. If you can take getting punched and not flinching then you are ready for the 300WM, but long range shooting is a developed skill and not one easily developed when you are getting thumped by a big caliber. Work yourself up to it. The 308 has a lot more "umph" than folks want to give it credit for.

Looking at the remarks about your scope, can I recommend matching turrets and reticle. I like the NP-R1 reticle, in fact it is probably my favortie, but I also use MOA turrets to match it. Think it over before you make the final call. You could always go with a MLR or mil dot reticle if you like the mil system.

As for the difference between the Badger and NF base, flip a coin. They both get the job done and are not ever likely to cause you a minutes problem. I have the same scope you are looking at and if memory serves me right, I used medium rings on a 20 MOA base. It will put you close. I don't know who you are getting your equipment from, but I have ordered a few things from Don up at Long Range Supply. He has always steered me in the right direction when it came to ring and base choices for a given barrel and action combination.
 
#8
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

F^ckin .308

300WM is super overkill for a beginner. Shot one last weekend, I'll be the first to admit I can't take that recoil for too many rounds. .308 still has a kick, but its very manageable. That and everyone and their mother shoots a .308. You get another gun later down the road and you may not even have to change your loads up.
 
#9
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpmuscle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.308 is the better option if your just starting out. .223 wouldnt be a bad option either </div></div>

+1 If you reload, the 75 & 80 grainers buck the wind quite nicely. Less recoil & cheaper to shoot.
 
#10
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Elxx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">F^ckin .308

300WM is super overkill for a beginner. Shot one last weekend, I'll be the first to admit I can't take that recoil for too many rounds. .308 still has a kick, but its very manageable. That and everyone and their mother shoots a .308. You get another gun later down the road and you may not even have to change your loads up. </div></div>


yup yup. 308 is good enough to bring down any animal in North America.
 
#12
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

i think everyone above summed it up, everyone needs a bolt gun in 308. Low recoil, high round count barrel, cost of ammo.

As for the base, id go for the badger, i had a 20 moa NF base on my 700 and a badger mount for an ACI did not fit. Not sure if it wasnt just compatible but all pic rails should be the same measurements.
 
#13
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

It looks like 308 is the concensus here which is fine with me. It makes the ammo situation a lot simpliar. I am going with the NF NP-R1 w/ MOA turrents along with a NF or Badger base and Med. rings. I'll give Long Range Supply a look when ordering. I will have to start reloading soon (use up the South African brass I have stock piled)! Thanks for the input, there's a lot of knowledge on this forum.
 
#18
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

i would go with the .308 aswell. infact im selling an 09 rem 5r .308. i have put about 75 rounds thru it and it shoots 3/8 all day long with the load i have for it. i have actually put up a .175 and .138 3 shot groups at 100yds. im selling it with a leupold mark4 20moa base for 1200 and it comes with the load and info for the load.
 
#19
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bsp212</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My .300WM with a Badger FTE brake has less felt recoil than all of my .308's but God help anyone who shoots beside me.</div></div>

How about a .308 with a FTE brake and actually see your hits.

My vote is for .308 also and a Rem 5R SS is a great choice.
 
#20
Re: Which Caliber 308 or 300WM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: beenjammin</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bsp212</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My .300WM with a Badger FTE brake has less felt recoil than all of my .308's but God help anyone who shoots beside me.</div></div>

How about a .308 with a FTE brake and actually see your hits.

My vote is for .308 also and a Rem 5R SS is a great choice.
</div></div>

That's my next project. The .300WM is actually so pleasant to shoot that I've got to have a .308 with a brake. Also, seeing hits is not a problem with a 27" HV taper Krieger in an AICS with the brake. The rifle is a beast to carry but a joy to shoot. Future .308 will be much lighter - trying to figure out a combination to keep total weight below 14lbs.

For the OP,

Sorry for the hijack but if I were to have only one precision bolt rifle it would be a .308.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Bigtony
300wm in PRS? Hear me out..
Replies
48
Views
2K
Emerson0311
Emerson0311
K
SOLD AXMC .308 and .300WM bolts and firing pins bushed by LRI
Replies
9
Views
667
Kiba
K
Rpatton73
Optics **UPDATED OPTICS FOR SALE 04/21/2025** OPTICS, SUNSHADES, LASERS, MAGNIFIERS, FLASHLIGHTS, MOUNTS and RING SETS
Replies
0
Views
171
Rpatton73
Rpatton73
Rpatton73
Optics **UPDATED OPTICS FOR SALE 04/12/2025** OPTICS, SUNSHADES, LASERS, MAGNIFIERS, FLASHLIGHTS, MOUNTS and RING SETS
Replies
0
Views
195
Rpatton73
Rpatton73
T
6mm ARC for 1k yards build
Replies
24
Views
2K
thedude824
T
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts