.308 or .300 win mag

S

Seth8541

Guest
#1
Thinking about purchasing my first GAP rifle. Probably going with the Hospitaller in a .308 or a .300 win mag. I currently have a Rem 700 BDL VS in a .308 and its a pretty good shooter. Shot a 3 rd 3.25" group at 900 yds yesterday, but out past that Im not real impressed. Im looking for a good long range gun that doesnt have any issues at 1000 and even past that a little. Lemme know what you guys think. I know I could go bigger ie .338 but I dont want a rifle thats gonna cost me an arm and leg to shoot. What do you think about the 300 win mag, 300 wsm? thanks for the help.

Seth
 
#2
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

If you are wanting to stay with 30 cal then I say go with 300 WM. the 308 can get there, but if you're going to spend the money on a custom rifle and you know you want to shoot at 1000+ yards, then 300WM is the way to go. Especially if your 308 shoots that well already. You could also look into some of the 7mm cartridges with the high BC bullets that are available.
 
#3
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

Since you already have .308 that shoots well, go for 300WM. This is what I am doing right now. Will make no sense for me to have two .308s that will be doing the same thing. Plenty of reloading components for 300WM if you reload and plenty of factory ammo available including Match.
 
#4
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

Thanks bud. Thats a help. Just saw the sticky on "comparissons of calibers". Good post. Helps alot. After reading it the 7mm family is looking pretty good, but I guess Im just real comfortable with the .30cal, and the .308. Kinda hard to pull away from it. Lots of thought still needed to make a decision. In all actuallity, its a rare time when I can find a place here in Southern California to even shoot out to 1000 yds unless I drive for 3-4 hours to get out to the desert. I just happen to be working 5 days a week out in the desert right now and go out after work and shoot 200 rounds a week at 1000 yds. My .308 is playing hell right now in the wind at that range a is getting kinda frustrating. The gun I have is a bone stock factory gun, maybe a custom build from GAP and some good optics itll fair a little better.
 
#5
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

VLD,
Thanks for the input. Hows the recoil on a 300 wm with a brake and a little bit of weight on the gun? Comparible to a .308? This is gonna be sticktly a range gun, maybe some long range antelope hunting in Wyoming. Not really worried about carrying it long distances.
 
#6
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

Well I don't have it yet, the building process just started. But yes, you will need a good muzzlebrake. Interestingly, it's too going to be my range/prone style plinking/hunting rig so I am not too worried about the length and weight :)
 
#7
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

Im in the same boat. Not really worried about the weight or the length. Just want something that isnt gonna struggle @ 1000+ yds, isnt over the top $$$$ to load ammo for, I can shoot 100+ rounds out of without knocking the fire outa me, and is still a nail driver @ 100-1000yds. The build wont be still next yaer for me, but already making plans. You know how it is. Thanks bud.

Seth
 
#8
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

everyone must have a go-to .308


if you want to live your life at 1000yd and beyond accurately savvy what many here have done ...to punch paper and bang steel.....get something that got a .308 boltface,,,,,260,243,something with a higher BC that will be more forgiving out long.
 
#9
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

Depending on what you want to do with it, a 243 win with a 115 grain projo will leave the 308 in the dust. If it is a hunting rifle also and you want to take game at long range then you are going to need more ooomph like a 300 wm.
 
#12
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

since no one has covered it yet... the 300WSM is a good choice but lacks factory match ammo options, so it only good for reloading at long range if you want high BC options. Both 300WM and 300WSM will need a brake unless you want to wear a PAST style shoulder recoil pad. I've had LR guns in both calibers and was happy with both... all in all I think the WM is an easier to own choice due to factory match ammo. I do love the WSM for all of the positive ballistic advantages.
 
#13
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

I Would go with the 300 win mag If hunting might be a potential.
It's an easy caliber to reload for and with a little weight to the gun
and a brake they are really Fun to shoot.
 
#16
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_contract</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can always download the 300. It'll be impossible to load a 308 up to a 300's potential. </div></div>

Bad Idea to Download too much in a Cartridge like this.Verbatim from the Hornaday Handbook 7th Edition:

"When using cases of this size,it is imperative that the reloader work with near maximum loads.Reduced loads with slow burning powder can produce dangerous hangfires,large muzzle flashes,and perhaps even dangerously high pressure."
 
#17
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SANDRAT</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_contract</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can always download the 300. It'll be impossible to load a 308 up to a 300's potential. </div></div>

Bad Idea to Download too much in a Cartridge like this.Verbatim from the Hornaday Handbook 7th Edition:

"When using cases of this size,it is imperative that the reloader work with near maximum loads.Reduced loads with slow burning powder can produce dangerous hangfires,large muzzle flashes,and perhaps even dangerously high pressure." </div></div>

Well that is completely true. The key is "too much". Just use a appropriate powder and don't get carried away with too light a load. If recoil is a issue there are many ways to reduce it. Heavier rifle and lighter bullets just as a start.

Since the issue of recoil wasn't brought up in the original post and long range was the purpose of the build. Go with the .300 WM.
 
#18
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SANDRAT</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_contract</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can always download the 300. It'll be impossible to load a 308 up to a 300's potential. </div></div>

Bad Idea to Download too much in a Cartridge like this.Verbatim from the Hornaday Handbook 7th Edition:

"When using cases of this size,it is imperative that the reloader work with near maximum loads.Reduced loads with slow burning powder can produce dangerous hangfires,large muzzle flashes,and perhaps even dangerously high pressure." </div></div>

I shot for years reduced loads in my 300 win mag. I never experienced any of the problems noted. But then I always used a faster burning powder, and a recommended load from the sierra manual. And it made big difference in the recoil.

Another poster mentioned something about burning out barrels. I used at the NRA LR game a 300 win mag, and I would get 2000+ on call shots at 600-1000 yards before even thinking of barrel replacement. One hell of a lot better barrel life than the 6.5 that replaced it.
 
#19
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_contract</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Another poster mentioned something about burning out barrels. I used at the NRA LR game a 300 win mag, and I would get 2000+ on call shots at 600-1000 yards before even thinking of barrel replacement. </div></div>

That's a lot of life for that bbl.

A new barrel in the whole scheme of things is not alot of money and there is no free ride. As long as you're not banging out round after round and not giving the barrel a chance to cool off. 1500 rounds out of a 300 WM would not be unheard of with top accuracy. Then you can set it back and rechamber it for another go. In addition, considering the costs of the .338's it's out and out cheap(the .300 WM).
 
#20
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

That barrel helped win a state championship LR event(3-600,2-1000) with 1800 plus rounds on it. In that particular rifle I always used 210 Bergers with a load of VV 165 and it was an absolute hammer.
 
#21
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TrooperBrian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You're also going to go through barrels using a magnum caliber like going through...sodas.
</div></div>

I didn't find this to be the case.

 
#22
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 300snipe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do love the WSM for all of the positive ballistic advantages. </div></div>

Over the 300WM? Care to elucidate?

John
 
#23
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

I just bought a Ruger in 300 win mag and I couldn't be happier. I wish I didn't have just a Blackberry to post so I could show some pics of my 5 shot groups. I to struggled with that decision but this deal came up that was a no brainer. It is so fun to shoot with just a slip on recoil pad. They say with a muzzle break its like shooting a 243, can you say to much fun! My vote 300 win mag.
 
#24
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_contract</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SANDRAT</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_contract</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can always download the 300. It'll be impossible to load a 308 up to a 300's potential. </div></div>

Bad Idea to Download too much in a Cartridge like this.Verbatim from the Hornaday Handbook 7th Edition:

"When using cases of this size,it is imperative that the reloader work with near maximum loads.Reduced loads with slow burning powder can produce dangerous hangfires,large muzzle flashes,and perhaps even dangerously high pressure." </div></div>

I shot for years reduced loads in my 300 win mag. I never experienced any of the problems noted. But then I always used a faster burning powder, and a recommended load from the sierra manual. And it made big difference in the recoil.

Another poster mentioned something about burning out barrels. I used at the NRA LR game a 300 win mag, and I would get 2000+ on call shots at 600-1000 yards before even thinking of barrel replacement. One hell of a lot better barrel life than the 6.5 that replaced it. </div></div>

The Germans use a reduced load 250G bullet out of their AI G22 300winmags to great effect,even in cold weather alpine sniping. The AMU use to shoot and won LR matches with 240SMK 300winmags..With a good BC bullet it not a bad idea and the barrel life is excellent. plus you can always go back to the hot loads.
 
#25
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_contract</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TrooperBrian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You're also going to go through barrels using a magnum caliber like going through...sodas.
</div></div>

I didn't find this to be the case.

</div></div>

I concur..i get over 4500 rounds through a good barrel out of my 300WM's. thats not bad at all.
 
#27
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

I've been shooting a 300wm for years and love it. I always advise everyone to get one, it really is a great cailber, big enough to take down large game, small enough to not destroy smaller game, long enough to consistently make the 1000yard shoots, reloading components and a wide variety of factory ammunition is readily available, and the recoil isn't really that bad once you get used to it (barily noticable if you use a break). Only advantage i can see with the wsm is the short action, but it never got the following that the longer wm did, so components and ammo are harder to find.
You wont be dissapointed with the 300wm
 
#28
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

i have had my .300 Win Mag Remington 700r5 for a little over two years,.. once i got the Surefire brake / suppressor adaptor on it i loved it like nothing else.

i like the 220 SMK's
 
#29
Re: .308 or .300 win mag

get yourself a M24 set up. a LA 308 and shoot it for awhile and then when you are ready (trust me you will be) have it rechambered for a 300 WM. I have 3 300 WM and love every one. they are fun to shoot and the recoil is just something you get used to on every rifle. mine loves every bullet from 185 up.
 
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