300 RUGER COMPACT MAGNUM QUESTION

[AdvenJack]

May I ask if anyone knows the deal with the 300 Ruger Compact Magnum caliber. {Link: http://ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/ai.cgi?sn=BgwgCswRIn&catid=705 }It's falling between the 300 WM and the 30-06 capacity wise, {71.4 grns of water} and I am guessing performance wise. NO belt, it's NOT overbore, but comes up close to the line, so bbl life should be strong. How does it do with the heavy high BC bullets? Thanks very much. I've love to effectively use it out to 1500 meters.

 

[bohem]

Re: 300 RUGER COMPACT MAGNUM QUESTION

Sounds like a 300 SAUM with a different name. Do you have one already?

 

[AdvenJack]

Re: 300 RUGER COMPACT MAGNUM QUESTION

No I don't own one, but I'm contemplating this caliber for a LD precision build. And as to the Rem 300 SAUM, THAT cart. is FATTER and has a rebated rim. If you click on the link to the 300 RCM that I entered from the Ammo Guide site, {a great site by the way} you'll see it's as fat as the belt on a 300 WM, no rebate, no belt.

 

[bohem]

Re: 300 RUGER COMPACT MAGNUM QUESTION

Case capacity, bore size, case length are very similar to the 300 SAUM. I'm saying that I don't see much difference between the RCM and SAUM.

Here's some questions that I'd ask:

1) What does brass cost for it?
2) How available is the brass and who makes it?
3) Who makes dies for it, what type of dies are they?
4) Is the expense of this round going to be dissimilar from a 300 WSM or a 30-06
5) What will this buy me over a 300 SAUM, 300 WSM or 30-06?

 

[jrob300]

Re: 300 RUGER COMPACT MAGNUM QUESTION

My understanding from the original rollout of the RCM by Ruger and Hornady was that their goal in developing it was to outperform cartridges like the 300 WSM in a 20" barrel. This is it's claim to fame, and the numbers I've seen bear this out. Over 20" barrel though, there is no longer an advantage, in fact, some of the questions asked by Bohem would point to major disadvantages.

John

 

[AdvenJack]

Re: 300 RUGER COMPACT MAGNUM QUESTION

Thanks men, very much.

 

[Pete Lincoln]

Re: 300 RUGER COMPACT MAGNUM QUESTION

according to the folk at hornady. when i approached them about Hornady manufacturing my 9.3RSM ( knecked up WSM case and 9.3 bullet) there are royalty issues with the WSM case ( also the apparent reason that Howa stopped the .300WSM production rifles)
The guy at Hornady suggested I also try wildcatting the .300 or .338 RCM up to 9.3mm and they would be very interested in manufacturing it. Well I got the reamer, built a rifle and Hornady never came up with the promised goods, no cases, no dies. which is a shame as the 9.3 version sure as hell makes for a handy hard hitting game rifle thats capable, depending on bullet choice from bayonet range out to 500m.
Maybe i should rattle the hornady cage again, as rifles chambered in a 9.3 version would sell well in Europe provided the availability of the ammo was good.

As far as a long range rifle, i think you would be better off with the WSM die to case availability and next down the SAUM.

good luck with it all.- Pete

 

[kyreloader]

Re: 300 RUGER COMPACT MAGNUM QUESTION

AdvenJack,

There is an article in the September 2010 addition of "Shooting Times", the addresses the different 300 mags and barrel length. A good read if you can find it.

In short, the 300 WSM outruns both the RSAUM and 300WM at all barrel lengths and bullet weights except the 24 inch barrel with 180g bullets. The RCM beats the WSM/RSAUM with 165g/180g bullets, but the WSM/RSAUM beat the RCM at 150g bullet weights with 20 inch barrels. In a 20 inch barrel, the RCM beats the WM in all 3 bullet weights.

It isnt really apples/apples though because the same factory loads werent used in all rifles. Hornady was used in the RCM/WM, Winchester in WSM, Remington in RSAUM. I doubt all loads are loaded to the same pressure either.

In short, I think the RCM chambering is very interesting in a short barrelled rifle/carbine.

The 30 TC is also a neat chambering.

(The 338 RCM actually beat the 338WM with 20 inch barrels).