.300 Win Mag

[sagillman]

I'll vote savage, 300WM is a barrel burner and you will thank yourself later when it comes time to put another barrel on. I'm not sure how good the gunsmiths are down under, but the Savage you swap barrels out yourself easily if you mechanically inclined at all. with AR30 you will have to find a smith and pay to have a new barrel fitted then wait for it to get done.

 

[Defusion]

I'm pretty sure Sako is being sold in Australia. Maybe not your local dealer, but I'd certainly ask around for one.
Beretta is the importer in Australia.

 

[Goatman007]

Purcy, all here have good points about the 300wm, concerning this particular choice, there is good news and bad news, the good news is the 300 has a lot of punch on both ends, the bad news it has a lot of punch on BOTH ends.LOL. You say you shot the 338LM, so recoil should not be an issue, if it is you could go with a 7mm Rem Mag. Either way, have fun.

 

[sakobob]

Do you think its worth waiting the time for the Armalite? 6 months seems like a while to wait for a gun

i would not wait for a armalite, not a knock against the rifle but there wait times are not very accurate. there has been
times on this side of the pond when they say a given date and its not even close.
not a big savage fan but they have there plus sides,easy barrel swap, huge after market,and many knowledgeable people on
the rifles to help through a problem if one arrises.

 

[Mackay Sagebrush]

Without question, I would pick up a TRG-42, then top it with a 5.5-22 Nightforce. You should be able to stay in budget and you would have a very high quality rig, that you could run for decades(barrels being an expendable item subject to periodic replacement).

 

[AZ2000]

With the savage you have options, the BA is a good weapon for the money and with the barrel nut system you can change it and even set the head space with a new case if you don't happen to have a gauge. Plenty of after market choices for parts and a top shooter out of the box, accuracy wise. Just my 2 cents. Yes I have a Savage, will I buy another, yes.

 

[GreatMush]

If available, get yourself a Tikka Tactical 300 wm with the Tikka brake. You'll plenty money left for nice optic. Those simply shoots !

Mush

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 4

 

[Whit]

I say a DTA. You can can other barrels and change to what ever caliber you want then. Not sure if you can get DTA in Australia though. If not, a Sako then.

 

[Purcy]

Whats the accuracy and the price range like on the DTAs??

 

[djdilliodon]

I looked at that "guarantee" awhile back. No where could I actually find it to be an actual guarantee.

The problem with that 5k budget - still need optics. A 5k rifle and no optics is not an optimal solution. Look at what the OP stated his options were. Custom builds were not on the list. He stated he was in Australia folks!

I thought the $5k was just for the rifle? That makes a big difference in choices and if that's the case you can save an easy $1k by going with the savage. I wonder how both shoot group wise and if either one is more accurate than the other. For the armalite I'd want that accuracy statement of 1/4-3/4 moa in writing!

 

[STR]

Sometimes answers are based on assumption. So I'm assuming you want this rifle mostly for precision target shooting since you mentioned having others for hunting already. You also said that most of your shooting will be under 1K. I would then say, save your self, and build a rifle chambered in .260 Remington, and hand load for it. A lot of people want Magnum calibers, but for the wrong reasons. Less is a lot of times better, and I'm certain others will agree. Then there are others that because they haven't had anything but a 300 win mag will disagree. Do a little research before you take that plunge.

 

[Tickle]

Simple, Here you go!... $4550

Tactical Rifles - Gradous Rifles

+1 for Gradous Rifles, If I were to do another build I would either go with Gradous, Surgeon, or Conring Precision.

 

[Purcy]

Well guys tell me whats your thoughts on multi-caliber rifles. I know theyre not cheap but it seems worth it in the long run. What are your thoughts?

 

[bronco9588]

At a certain price, I'd rather have two guns

I wouldn't rule out a Remington 700 build. You open yourself up to great custom aftermarket actions at a really good price. A lot of auxiliaries are made for the 700. The trick with getting around the gunsmith is to put a Savage barrel on the rifle and buy some head spacing gauges. Enter the Rem-age... best of both worlds.

 

[Roddd]

There's a perfectly built unfired GAP 300 win mag in the classifieds right now. I sold my GAP Crusader to a dude in Australia, I can't remember his name but he had an importer on our east coast who is supposed to be reasonable fee wise. That would still keep you under your budget. There can't be too many Hide members in Australia, he should be easy to track down. He may have some answers for you.

 

[Rattler56]

Well guys tell me whats your thoughts on multi-caliber rifles. I know theyre not cheap but it seems worth it in the long run. What are your thoughts?

If you can get a DTA, go for it you will not be disappointed.

 

[Painless300]

I agree with Bob L Swagger!
Robert Gradous is the best. There is no doubts, when Robert gives you your rifle its a shooter. I am waiting on my second rifle from him now.
Heres a pic of the first one he build me a couple of years ago. 300 WSM 591 Surgeon, Kreger 5R, Shilan Trigger and HS Prescion Bottom Metal.

View attachment 24661

 

[MOOSE39465]

As hard as Brass is to find for an 300 Win Mag my selection would be 300 WSM.

 

[Whit]

Whats the accuracy and the price range like on the DTAs??

There is no rifle easier to change barrels then a DTA. All you need is a 70 in-lb Sekonk torque wrench. No barrel vise, no go/ no go gauges or anything. No need to send to a gunsmith. The DTA is about $4711 with the 300 winmag conversion (EuroOptic). Its a 1/2 MOA rifle. Mine shoots that and better. I love mine. You can buy conversion kits anything from 243 to 338 Lapua a lot cheaper then buying another rifles. It is well worth the money. You save a lot of money if you want multiple calibers.

 

[Whit]

Oh yea, no need for additional scopes. you only need one.

 

[Whit]

If you need any individual parts for a DTA you can order directly from them.
Sorry if there is any spelling errors. I am trying to hold/feed my 1month old boy and type at the same time.

Check out the link below.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...fficial-dta-srs-hti-covert-hunter-thread.html

 

[John1911.com]

Well guys tell me whats your thoughts on multi-caliber rifles. I know theyre not cheap but it seems worth it in the long run. What are your thoughts?

Since the OP is an Australian resident, some of the American custom shops just may not be in the cards. Not sure. But I think the OP needs to give us more information as to what is and isn't possible. Not only import wise but time-wise.

Since this has morphed into multi-calibers, I will offer a suggestion. I am not saying my suggestion is better or worse than any others. I just won't get sucked into the "ego-tied-to-gun-selection" argument. It's tired and pointless. We all have our favorite bullet launchers. Who cares.

Multi-caliber and available in Australia. Blaser Tactical 2. 223, 308, 300WM, 338 Lapua. The Australian military uses them. Not that means S#!t to me, but might help give you options locally? But that is a guess. Maybe there is a Civilian / Military restriction in AUS?

Another variant of the Blaser Tactical is the Blaser LRS 2: There are a myriad of barrel options for that as well. From 222 unto to 416 or some such.

As for accuracy, if the caliber is capable and the shooter is capable, the LRS and Tactical Blasers will shoot 1/4 MOA.

In closing, the Blasers are a straight pull system. Quite different from the traditional Mauser turn-bolt. I'm personally very fond of them but I don't preach like an acolyte about them either. Since you live in AUS, and switch caliber is now on the table, they should at least be brought up.

TTR

 

[John1911.com]

As hard as Brass is to find for an 300 Win Mag my selection would be 300 WSM.

That fact may or may not have any bearing for a resident of Australia. Their market is very different than ours.

TTR

 

[Whit]

Since the OP is an Australian resident, some of the American custom shops just may not be in the cards. Not sure. But I think the OP needs to give us more information as to what is and isn't possible. Not only import wise but time-wise.

Since this has morphed into multi-calibers, I will offer a suggestion. I am not saying my suggestion is better or worse than any others. I just won't get sucked into the "ego-tied-to-gun-selection" argument. It's tired and pointless. We all have our favorite bullet launchers. Who cares.

Multi-caliber and available in Australia. Blaser Tactical 2. 223, 308, 300WM, 338 Lapua. The Australian military uses them. Not that means S#!t to me, but might help give you options locally? But that is a guess. Maybe there is a Civilian / Military restriction in AUS?

Another variant of the Blaser Tactical is the Blaser LRS 2: There are a myriad of barrel options for that as well. From 222 unto to 416 or some such.

As for accuracy, if the caliber is capable and the shooter is capable, the LRS and Tactical Blasers will shoot 1/4 MOA.

In closing, the Blasers are a straight pull system. Quite different from the traditional Mauser turn-bolt. I'm personally very fond of them but I don't preach like an acolyte about them either. Since you live in AUS, and switch caliber is now on the table, they should at least be brought up.

TTR

Do you know if there is any smiths that makes barrels in other calibers for the Blasers, or are you limited to the ones you listed? I am just wanting to know for my knowledge and anyone else who was curious.

 

[Whit]

I was always curious about the Blaser and liked them, but it fell off my radar untill you started mentioning them again (also seen you mention them in a different forum).

 

[Whit]

I noticed that the Blaser in the pic doesnt have one but there is a forend tube with a rail (for NV, ect) that can be put on to. Some may not like the way it looks without it.

Pic with the tube.

http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/catalog/product/Tactical-2-hero-detail.jpg

 

[John1911.com]

Do you know if there is any smiths that makes barrels in other calibers for the Blasers, or are you limited to the ones you listed? I am just wanting to know for my knowledge and anyone else who was curious.

The Blaser 93 / LRS / LRS 2 have a whole pile of calibers available from Blaser. I'm not sure of the numbers, but it's a lot. Some really obscure calibers (to me anyway) as well. They offer barrels from semi-weight, to standard or match fluted and non-fluted.

I believe there are some shops in Europe that make after-market barrels for them. Some group called Bix'n Andy comes to mind. I think they are in the Netherlands. There also seems to be some custom smiths in the US that will do custom work and or barrels as well. The largest that comes to mind is Christensen Arms, but I'm not sure on the details.

I know the Blaser has allowed people to do group buys and request custom barrel lengths and twist rates. I "think" Euro-Optics has a hand in that domestically. But frankly, I'm reaching now.

One thing I've heard done is some smiths will take an old Blaser barrel and either thread a new barrel onto it (the connecting part of the barrel) or even sleeve one.

But….I've never shot out a Blaser barrel so I've never looked into it. And the barrels seem quite common. I think the R93 Blaser line has been made since 1993 and is very popular in European countries. So there "could" be many parts options for someone in even Australia. But…I dunno.

I suspect the reason why the Blaser rifle design is successful in Europe is the "one rifle" many calibers thing. Licensese and restrictions over there seem quite painful by our standards. So buying barrels is less hassle. But…again….guessing.

As for the NV rail, I have seen a couple of different aftermarket mounts as well. Some less bulky than others. So….unless I have a need for NV, I'm not really looking at those right now anyway.

Again, just an option. Not saying it's the best, but I have been throughly impressed by the setup. But like any rifle, it will have it's peccadillos.

TTR

 

[meedeegee]

I am in Canada, where prices can be as high as Australia, and good components and good gunsmiths are probably just as rare.
Compared to prices in the USA we pay through the nose.
Prices can often be 30%-50% higher or more here for the exact same item (30% on $5000 is a lot extra), plus 12% tax, plus high shipping rates.
And our dollar is often close to par with the USA. Do I sound bitter? ;-)
For example an AI AX 338LM is around $6k in the USA and $9k here.

I would forget about the Armalite AR-30. Nice rifle. I really wanted one. So I ordered one in May 2012. Prepaid deposit. I was told 4 to 6 months. Waited patiently for more than a year. Finally ended up cancelling it this fall 2013 since the rifle was still "unknown availability date" from the Armalite rep. Perhaps they should try hiring more people if they are that overwhelmed with orders. Anyway...

So I put together a rifle in 300WM for myself, the total price here in Canada for just the parts was around $6500 with taxes.
I would expect similar for Australia. Probably a lot less in the USA.
I'm waiting for the snow to stop so that I can shoot it (it gets plenty of dry-firing in the house though).

(feel free to bash my parts choices everyone)
- Remington 700 Sendero SF II (stainless, 26in fluted barrel, jeweled bolt)
- AI AX Chassis 20222FCBL (long action, black, folding, flush cup sling loops)
- AI AX Long Action 20 MOA Action Rail
- AI AX Butt Spike
- Accu-Shot BT10-LW17 Atlas Bipod with throw lever mount
- Barrett 30mm Zero-Gap Ultra-High Rings
- Schmidt&Bender Zenith FlashDot FD7 2.5-10x56 with S&B 2in Sunshade and Tenebraex Killflash ARD

 

[John1911.com]

(feel free to bash my parts choices everyone)

How about we don't? It's the maker-fan-boi bashing that keeps me out of most threads like this. Where is it written that if one user chooses brand x and the other user choose brand Y, things have to get all Hatfield-McCoy?

Personally, I would rather shoot guns.

I had no idea Canada was THAT bad price wise. I did read somewhere that AUS has an $800 "something" on-top of normal prices. So that is a concern bringing something in country.

TTR

 

[Whit]

I will never bash anyones preferance, its not right. Everyone has there preferance who r we to judge. Not all of us can get there hands on or be able to pay for top shelf stuff. I would shoot what ever I could get my hands on. I dont know everything but thats why I ask questions, to expand my knowledge.

Thanks for the insight on the Blaser info.

 

[dbateman]

It looks like a nice rifle but once again the availability just isn't there. Pretty much I have to choose between a Armalite or Savage

Importing guns from the US is a piece of cake and not as deer as people make out.

 

[dbateman]

yes i have shot heaps of calibers from .270 right up to a .416 Barrett. I dont know why i have just always taken a shine to the .300WM, its just a personal preference.
I will on the occasion be shooting deer with this rifle but it will not be a regular thing. I would probably prefer buying a stock gun and building on to it. The TRG 42s are not available where i live. I have narrowed down my choices (for what is available) and it has lead me to choose between the Armalite AR-30, Savage BA110 and Remington 700. So if you had those options in front of you what would you go with? Cheers

Trg42 not available in Au ?
You're wrong it sure is they come up for sale on used guns all the time.

Magnum Sports*::*Firearms*::*Rifles*::*Centerfire Rifles*::*Sako*::*Sako TRG-42

What part of AU are you living in ?

It looks like a nice rifle but once again the availability just isn't there. Pretty much I have to choose between a Armalite or Savage

Any cat B rifle is a easy to bring into Au, if your dealer wont get what you want import it yourself.

Do you think its worth waiting the time for the Armalite? 6 months seems like a while to wait for a gun

If I was waiting six months for a stinking savage I'd be getting Surgeon, GAP or LA.P or someone to build something to my spec.
I may even order it with spare barrels ect so I don't have to send it out anytime soon.

 

[xbrute]

Id go for a Tikka T3 tactical in 300wm and a NF scope, should be under 5k. You dont need custom just yet. Otherwise a TRG42, i have one in 338lm and it is fantastic.

 

[John1911.com]

You're good, Dude. It was a general statement not directed at you. I understand a certain amount of trash-talking, especially among friends who shoot against each other. But sometimes the gun-store guys get out of control and take threads like this off track.

TTR

I will never bash anyones preferance, its not right. Everyone has there preferance who r we to judge. Not all of us can get there hands on or be able to pay for top shelf stuff. I would shoot what ever I could get my hands on. I dont know everything but thats why I ask questions, to expand my knowledge.

Thanks for the insight on the Blaser info.

 

[meedeegee]

How about we don't?

Sorry, I should have put a smiley in there, that was meant in jest and not serious.
I was not expecting to be bashed, but perhaps a few "gosh, you paid $6500 for that?" responses.

I had no idea Canada was THAT bad price wise.

Yes, it really hampers my hobbies.
I have to be really choosey about what I buy since I don't have disposable income. Our selection is also much less than the USA.
Unfortunately I prefer (what to me is) higher end hardware so I usually have to save for a while to get what I want, and I usually have to compromise and get something a few models below what I really want. I would have liked to have bought an AI AX 338LM with S&B PMII 3-20x50 but that would be almost $17,000 here. :-(

Importing guns from the US is a piece of cake and not as deer as people make out.

If it is easy in Australia then you are lucky.
It is not so simple in Canada.

When I custom ordered the Armalite AR-30, I had to sign multiple copies of government documents to get it imported, that stated that I could never resell the rifle or give it away or part-it-out for my entire life, that I was using it for non-military/non-LE, and for target practice only, etc.
Importing has to be done through a licensed firearms importer and broker, with all of their fees.
Only certain carriers in Canada are licensed to transport firearms, with all of their fees.
And then I never got the rifle after all of this, I cancelled it after ~16 months waiting as mentioned above, and when I got my deposit money back instead I went with the other components that were available in stock in Canada.

The only firearm related hardware I have ordered from the USA is small parts from Brownells under $100.
If it is over $100 there is ITAR, brokerage fees which can be $hundreds of dollars, special carrier costs.
In Canada, ammo is classified as explosives (it is actually a propellant), so that has high shipping costs from the few carriers that are licensed to transport it.
I have wanted to purchase ammo when on sale from stores like Wolverine, but the special shipping cost makes it prohibitively expensive.

Anyway, sorry for stealing the thread.
I don't mean the posts to sound whiney, just a bit of information on what we deal with up here for pricing etc.

 

[Whit]

All I can say is holy shit!!

 

[shooterrdy]

Call Jered at American Precision Arms. Best Muzzel Brakes in the industry Awesome Actions

 

[flatlander]

I too am in the market to start another custom build rifle in 300WM.
I'm leaning towards a Defiance machine action and possible a Bartlein Barrel but haven't decided yet.

What twist rate would you recommend ?


Any feedback is greatly appreciated

 

[GlockandRoll]

Ease of barrel swaps and bolt head replacements. I like the PTG bolt heads, so whenever I swap a barrel, I swap out bolt heads. Minimal tools required. Re-chambering may also require a bolt head swap, not a big issue with a Savage.


That said - all those parts and tools are readily available here.

I'm shooting this savage .300wm at the moment and really enjoy it (all sourced here on the EE)
I've got less than $2250 in the whole thing, including stock, bbl'd action, scope/rings, etc.


I've been shooting fggm 190grn to harvest brass for reloads and will most likely use a 208 amax at safe pressures.

Do you hand load? if you don't i wouldn't recommend the 300wm. Seating depth plays a huge role in accuracy with this cartridge, as the throats can be on the deep side. I bought a box of FGMM and the jump made this round shoot about 2.5in at 100yds. I used the bullet puller and reset them all .030off and groups shrunk to inch. Now that's just my rifle. You state you are fairly new to the precision shooting, what other rifles, calibers do you have?

+1, with all that being said here, this makes a good point and a 6.5cheetmore savage LRP with some decent glass makes the most sense.
I love the AR-30, but have only shot the .338wm in it and have sent hundreds of rounds down the tube of an AR-50.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

Why are they the only two available to you? Any dealer worth their salt should be able to get in what ever you want

I'm with Glenn on this one, would be looking at APRS...they build an excellent rifle

http://www.lightforce.net.au/aprs

This looks like the best option with your budget and location.