300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

rweldon

rweldon

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 29, 2008
424
1
Upper Ohio Steel Valley (Steubenville, OH)
#1
I've been kicking around the idea of getting a 300 Win Mag Rem 700P for a while. I have a lot of 308 rounds under my belt, but I've never shot a 300 win mag anything. Is the recoil a lot more than say...a 30.06? I'm wondering how bad it could really be in a tactical setup vs a hunting rifle. I'm figuring I could handle/absorb it okay, I'm 6' and large framed. thanks
 
#2
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

You describe yourself as a big boy so you shouldn't have a problem with a 300WM's recoil. Now, if you're shooting an 8 lb mountain rifle in the prone for an extended period, it's going to get uncomfortable. In a tactical rifle that's 15 lbs or more, you won't feel nearly as much. Get it threaded and put a good brake on it.
 
#3
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

I've fired .300 and .338 Remington Ultra Mags out of hunting weight rifles multiple times. Yes, they knock you around a bit. No, it is not unbearable (in moderate doses). A good buttpad (Limbsaver) and a well fitting stock will help a lot.
 
#4
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

It doesn't kick that hard, I weigh 150 pounds and my everyday rifle is a 300 WSM, I love that think and shoot it on a regular basis. It shouldn't be a problem for you.
 
#6
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

I have a remington sendero in .300 winmag.
Handloads are 72.5gr of re22 pushing a 190gr matchking at around 2900 fps. I shoot this thing off the bench or the ground only.
The bipod would come off the bench about 2" everytime I fired it.
It was not a gun to ass around and not get solid on.
Picked up a .338 LM this year with a brake. Push a .300gr matchking at around 2800 fps, it was MUCH nicer to shoot.
My .300 winmag now has a brake on it and I will shoot it all day long with no trouble. The wife has shot it and say's it is like her .308.
 
#8
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

I'll chime in aswell.
I have a .300WM and a .300WSM.
Both are heavy rifles, the WM has a target crown and the WSM has a brake.

The brake makes a big difference, I can usually only take 20-30 from the WM until I become sore and need to take a break.
I do shoot almost exclusively from the prone position off a bipod so that makes the felt recoil much more than if I was standing.

I like the .300wm, it's a great large game & LR round and it can be tamed with a break to make it's felt recoil some where around a .308
 
#9
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

i was a scrawny 150 lb 5'8" when i was shooting a 15 lb non-braked 300 win mag. during several classes i shot about 150-200 rounds in two days and i wasn't bothered. after shooting a 50 round match with 210 grain bullets nearing 3k fps, i definatly knew i shot something that day but in no way was i in any pain.

i still don't mind the recoil but if i can get away with a less recoiling cartridge that will match it's performance on non-living targets, i'm going to use it. burning less powder, cheaper bullets and faster back on target is much better for a match rifle in my opinion. i'll always have a 300 win mag though. i'm still a big fan of them.
 
#10
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

I'm also 6' and a large framed individual. I haven't shot a 300 win mag but I have shot my dad's 300wby mag (Weatherby Ultralight ~6lbs, unbraked) a fair amount. I hate it. I shot about 50-60 shots in two days and it left a niiiiice bruise on my shoulder and bridge of my nose (scope kissed me about every other shot).

However, I do 100% believe that if the system was heavier and/or braked, it would be fine. Add that onto the fact that 300win mag is slightly less powerful (so I've been told), a tactical set up with a heavier stock and muzzle brake will be no problem.
 
#11
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

The recoil isnt that bad. I got to shoot one this past saturday that my buddy made and wow i love that rifle and will have one myself thats for sure..
 
#12
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: halcyon575</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have shot my dad's 300wby mag (Weatherby Ultralight ~6lbs, unbraked) a fair amount.

</div></div>

Apples to oranges!!! 300WBY not EVEN close to the same recoil as 300Win. Especially an ultralight, that's just sado-masochistic.

To answer your question...It's all in the build. As you increase caliber you make a conscious decision to trade recoil for weight. Having a light gun you hate to shoot and causes flinch does you no good. Personally, if your man enough to shoot a 300...you should be man enough to pack a heavy enough gun to make it practical.

It's NOTHING for 338's to weigh in at the 15lb range with optics.
My 325WSM weighs 14.5 with brake...packs fine and kicks less than my 30-06 I started hunting with when I was 14.

Your 300Win with a solid (heavy/filled composite or nice laminate) stock and a good brake will be a pleasure to shoot!!!! Just don't undersell the brake and settle on some Browing BOSS looking piece of garbage...it'll be a real gun so put a real brake on it. Good Shooting
smile.gif


A solid stock with a good brake will make it a pleasure to shoot.
 
#14
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

My skinny little 9yr old daughter shoots 208 Amax out of mine at about 2900-3000 and it doesn't bother her. It's 19lbs with a good brake on it. It kicks about like an 8lb .243.
 
#15
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

I have shot a TC 300 mag and a have a winchester 300 wsm. Both kick really hard as they are light rifles. I would say if you want to make a target/tactical rifle, make it heavy and use a brake. Otherwise you will get sore and watching hits and follow up shots become will also be difficult. And remember, every action there is a equal and opposite reaction. Your larger size could contribute to a sorer shoulder quicker. Small guys get knocked back more while you may barely budge sending all recoil into your shoulder with less energy diverted to rearward movement of the shoulder and body. Just food for thought.
 
#16
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

Unbraked 300's will get your attention when you touch it off. I found the recoil to be more of a push and not to sharp. But any heavy hitting caliber will get you a little punchy after a lengthy shooting session. Put on a good brake and pad with the right LOP and it won't be bad at all for a guy your size. A good braked 300 should recoil about like a light to moderate loaded 30.06.

JWV is right. Touch it off and right the recoil, don't fight it.
 
#19
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

When I go to the range I like to enjoy my session not be tortured. A 300wm with a brake is a joy to shoot. Without one you will be going home early or in pain.
 
#20
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

My 300WM, heavy 27" barrel with brake, in an AICS stock is a Pussycat to shoot. I'm launching 208-gr Amax's at 2830, and it's a laser. I now want to have another built.
 
#24
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

It's all going to depend on the fundamentals of your shooting position. In a nice solid prone position I can shoot a buddy's 300WM with a presentation pad and no recoil dampening device and it doesn't bother me in the least. When I see a stage where I'm going to be curled up in a ball somewhere with no real body mass directly behind the gun I'm grateful I've got my suppressed 260 instead.
 
#25
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

I have a YHM brake on my 300WM along with a Manners Limbsaver pad, recoil is nothing. My 108lb girlfriend shoots 20-30 rounds at the range every time we go and she's fine afterwards. She's actually liking the 300WM more than the .243 I had built for her.
 
#26
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alpine 338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My 300WM, heavy 27" barrel with brake, in an AICS stock is a Pussycat to shoot. I'm launching 208-gr Amax's at 2830, and it's a laser. I now want to have another built. </div></div>Alpine: what's your load please? Does it shoot at short range and long range both?
 
#27
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

208-gr AMax, 75.0-gr of H1000, Federal 215M, Federal brass, COAL right at 3.60 It shoots close to 0.25" groups at 100-yards if I do my part, and last time I shot it at 1000-yards, I only had to dial 6.6-mils. I have no problem hitting the 10" gong at that distance repeatedly.

I know I'm not pushing them real fast, but this load is my sweet spot for accuracy in my rifle.
 
#28
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

i am 5'7 150 i love when i get down to a 300. i love to shoot big bore lever guns. my favorite ATM has to be a 45/110 i generally shoot about 40-60 rounds every sunday or everyother sunday. i shoot it out of a short guide series gun weights prob 9-10lbs MAYBE. i also have done alot shooting with 416 rigby out of cz 550 that shit will get your attention in a hurry. So not to be mean but man up and just shoot it, if you dont like it sell it or put a brake it
 
#31
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

I used to think 300WM had a fair amount of recoil but never major, the 6lb sako 338WM I've got out thumps it far more than my 338lm,; 416 rem mag, 458WM and almost as much thump as my 470 nitoexpress. Rifle and scope in the 10lb range and good pad will be comfortable to shoot, shoot a few round and quit. Slowly increase in no so as not to get the flinch and no matter what you shoot you can accomodate to. no matter what you move up to over time. wouldn't shot my 50BMG at 6lb but at 25+ it is managable. Go to hunt with it and you'll NEVER notice the recoil just the noise.
 
#32
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

Had a Winchester Sporter in 300WBY with a Lupy VX3. Weighed in around 8.5-9lbs and recoil was a world of difference over 30-06 or .308 in similar weight firearms. 20 rounds from the bench was enough to give you a headache. Put a 12 -14lb rig together you will tame it down considerably. Put a brake on it and you better have ear plugs under your muffs.
 
#33
Re: 300 Win Mag recoil...how bad is it?

5" 10" 200 lbs - shoot 375 H7H, 416 Ruger, 404 Jeffery, 460 S&W like big hunting guns

My experience. Bought a custom tactical 300 WM 14.5 pound rifle, with no brake. Fired it exactly 20 rounds and it was more than I "wanted" to endure. I could handle it, but I wasn't havng any FUN!!

Sent it back, got it threaded and put a Badger FTE brake on it. Now I can shoot 20-30-40+ rounds - very comfortable and I am loving it and having FUN!!!

All shot prone BTW. Standing sitting, hunting situation may be different.

Thunderbeast coming!!!

Buy it Brake it and you'll love it.
 
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