Help choosing 300NM Rifle

[Yerman]

Ok, so I have decided that I want to get a 300NM.

I have narrowed it down to my choice below. I have been debating over this for several months and I just can’t decide. I’m hoping the community here can help point me in the right direction.

I have a feeling that with the amount of love AI gets around here, it’s going to be a bit lopsided so I would like to ask for specific reasons why you might choose one over the other e.g. because they are the best. I'm really trying to justify the extra price.

A few quick notes

• If I go with one of the MC options, I will likely need to sell my 6.5CM to fund the purchase. But if I keep the cost down, I hopefully will be able to keep my 6.5CM so I will have another rifle that will handle my Short Action needs.
• I want to shoot the 225 ELD-M and 230 Hybrids and twist rates are racking my brain. AI looks like I am limited to 1:10, the other options can get me down to 1:8 to help stabilize the bullets. Why does’t AI make a 1:8? This is probably the biggest factor steering me away from the AI. I don’t understand why AI’s are so slow.
• Continuing the topic of twist, Primal Rights is recommending a 30" 300NM barrel in 1:10 twist if I go with the SRS A1. They sound very knowledgable but why not a faster twist rate if Berger themselves say 1:9 or faster?

Edit: Broke my own rule and didn’t specify my use. Long Range steel and pepper only. No hunting. I shoot 600-1800 yards on a regular basis. Looking to improve my 1800 yard impacts and stretch out to 2500 yards. No hunting.

*************
UPDATE ON POST #40

Thanks for all the insights everyone. Decided to go custom as we (my dad and I are doing this one together) couldn't justify the price of the AXMC. Thanks for the post @redneckbmxer24, that is just what we were looking for but we just didn't feel like it was worth the extra cost. I'm sure it's a very nice rifle but we just decided custom was the route to go.

Huge thanks to Wade at Stuteveille Precision for answering all our questions and getting this put together for us.

Placed the order today. Here are specs:

J Allen Chassis Long Action CIP, Titanium Gray, Arca Rail 6"
Defiance Deviant, LA, 20moa, magnum bolt face, Nitride finish action (black)
Bartlein, .308, #7 (MTU), 1:8 twist, 28", Cerakote barrel graphite black
Chambered in 300 Norma Magnum
APA Fat Bastard Gen 2
2 x AI 5 rd cip mag
Trigger Tech Diamond - Flat Shoe
Optic - TBD (Leaning towards NF 7-35 or ZCO 5-25)
Mount - TBD (Probably Spuhr Mount or Era-tac Adjustable)
Bipod - TBD (Probably Atlas 5-H or Cal Gen 2)

Now the wait.........

UPDATE - 1/6/18

She is finally done and on the way. Can’t wait...

I’ll do a full workup once I get to the range and get some time behind the trigger.

 

[W54/XM-388]

Get the AI AXMC rifle & then you can pick from a wide variety of barrel lengths, twist rates and every other kind of option you want on them from a wide variety of barrel suppliers. Or order the barrel you want from one of the barrel makers & then send it off to get finished by anyone of a number of very reliable smiths that advertise on the hide here.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Desert Tech, because I own one in 300 Norma and it's plenty nasty .

 

[b6graham]

I voted AI because that's what I would do

But. Get behind all the chassis and action options you present and feel what works best for you. I know the AI so that's my pick, but that being said I've never felt a Cadex. My second vote would be JAE with a long action because they're also super comfortable but then you need 2 scopes so that's limiting

 

[Crang]

Taggin In. 300NM is heavy on my mind these days.

 

[Bradu]

What do you plan to use the rifle for? That would help some of us decide what would be the best setup for your use rather than just personal preference.

 

[NateVA]

What is your intended use for the rifle? If you ever plan to hunt with it, I'd go with the SRS. I'll be ordering one in a couple weeks specifically because of its usefulness for hunting.

 

[bjay]

Build strictly for her purpose

 

[Curt1521]

I have a 7LRM Desert Tech from Primal Rights. I had great service from them, and the thing is a laser. I also have a .223 and 6.5 conversion.
I love that gun!

 

[ChadL]

I have a DT SRS A1 with barrels in 308 and 300 Norma (SAC) and the rifle is great to shoot. Barrel swaps are fast and easy, accuracy is incredible. Bolt throw was a little awkward at first but you adapt very quickly. I went out on a limb with this rifle as I know no one personality that has one. Sooooooo glad I did.

 

[Yerman]

Sorry guys...Broke my own rule and didn’t specify my use. Long Range steel and pepper only. No hunting. I shoot 600-1800 yards on a regular basis. Looking to improve my 1800 yard impacts and stretch out to 2500 yards.

I updated original post.

 

[NateVA]

Sorry guys...Broke my own rule and didn’t specify my use. Long Range steel and pepper only. No hunting. I shoot 600-1800 yards on a regular basis. Looking to improve my 1800 yard impacts and stretch out to 2500 yards.

I updated original post.

Given the use, I'd go AI every time honestly.

 

[Yerman]

Why no love for Cadex? Anyone have a Cadex that can comment?

 

[m6z]

The Kraken and AI rifles are about 15 pounds. Is that something you can live with for a do it all rifle?

 

[HWURFEL]

AI does not make a 300NM. It would be an extra expense. It looks like they make a .338 Lapua (factory fitted) / .300 Win mag / .308 Win. Adding a 300NM and a 6.5 CM is just going to drive the cost of the AI out of sight. So you end up with a factory 338 LP AXMC and the extra expense of a 300 NM AND 6.5 CM .

 

[Bkultra]

You can order an AXMC in 300NM, I just did a few weeks ago from Eurooptic.

 

[Yerman]

The Kraken and AI rifles are about 15 pounds. Is that something you can live with for a do it all rifle?

Ya, no problem there. Want the weight as this is primarily a target rifle to help manage recoil.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

AXMC, no contest.

 

[Snipe260]

I have a desert tech in 300 norma with 28 inch barrel! Love it! It's a laser !

 

[Yerman]

Can anyone that has shot both the Kraken and AXMC comment on the pros and cons of each?

I know that the AXMC is more popular than the Kraken, but the Cadex seems like a solid option and I’m very curious why it is not more popular.

Here is what I can tell by reading on the internet:
Bartlien barrels
You can run R700 triggers
The action looks like it was over-engineered (at least by the videos)
Nice adjustments on the stock

I know the brake looks like a Star Trek geek designed it, but it’s easy enough to swap out with an APA.

 

[jaybigboy34]

I have the axmc with the factory 300nm barrel with the 1:10 twist. It stabilizes the 225 eldm just fine. I have shot it out to 2350 yards with no problem.

 

[Bradu]

I would probably lean towards the AXMC with the desert tech being a close second. The AI is a nicer in my opinion but the DT mags aren't the best, that's really my only complaint with the gun. The DT isn't for everyone so I would get behind one first before buying one. I would love to try a Kraken, they look like a nice setup for a switch barrel setup.

 

[surgeon260]

I would go custom to get the throat, twist (245 Berger!), trigger, and brake that I want. The Surgeon XL action is oh so sweet. I built my 338 Norma Improved on that action and I love it.

 

[kthomas]

My vote is build custom rifle - that way you get the rifle to exactly the way you want.

I went custom route with my .300NM, and absolutely love it:

- Defiance Deviant action, polished rails and DLC'ed
- JAE chassis with paint job from Custom Gun Coatings, NV rail and hopefully a bag rider soon
- Benchmark and Hawkhill MTU contour 1:8 twist barrels (I have two barrels spun up for it, it's a barrel burner)
- Bix 'n Andy Tacsport 2 stage trigger
- Khales K624i scope with AMR reticle
- ARC M10 rings

I couldn't be much happier with it, puts a smile on my face every time i shoot it. The JAE is the most comfortable chassis you will get behind (the AI is a bit hit or miss with how it fits people). I wouldn't change a thing with how this rifle is built.

 

[bjay]

My vote is build custom rifle - that way you get the rifle to exactly the way you want.

I went custom route with my .300NM, and absolutely love it:

- Defiance Deviant action, polished rails and DLC'ed
- JAE chassis with paint job from Custom Gun Coatings, NV rail and hopefully a bag rider soon
- Benchmark and Hawkhill MTU contour 1:8 twist barrels (I have two barrels spun up for it, it's a barrel burner)
- Bix 'n Andy Tacsport 2 stage trigger
- Khales K624i scope with AMR reticle
- ARC M10 rings

I couldn't be much happier with it, puts a smile on my face every time i shoot it. The JAE is the most comfortable chassis you will get behind (the AI is a bit hit or miss with how it fits people). I wouldn't change a thing with how this rifle is built.

What length on your barrels.i also got two barrel for same action

 

[kthomas]

What length on your barrels.i also got two barrel for same action

29" barrels for both

 

[Barney88PDC]

Get the action and trigger that you like the most. All top quality actions are going to have about the same effect. I have a complete Surgeon 300 NM in an A5 with a Jewell. That setup is very familiar to me and that particular rifle shoots incredibly well. Like, not normal. I've been fortunate to own several custom rifles from various smith's and the accuracy is uncanny. But I highly doubt I could get the same kind of results if I ordered another rifle spec'd exactly the same.

With a barrel vise and an action wrench you can swap barrels at your house if they have been chambered for that action. Meaning if you got say a 300NM and 338L spun for the same action at the same time you could switch barrel yourself in about 5-10 minutes.

 

[Yerman]

Thanks for all the input guys.

I am leaning towards custom. I got in touch with Stuteville Precision this morning and we are working out the details of a custom built on a Defiance Action and a JAE stock.

While I know the AXMC is a good rifle, I just can't find anything to convince me that they are worth double what custom build would cost.

 

[Yerman]

My vote is build custom rifle - that way you get the rifle to exactly the way you want.

I went custom route with my .300NM, and absolutely love it:

- Defiance Deviant action, polished rails and DLC'ed
- JAE chassis with paint job from Custom Gun Coatings, NV rail and hopefully a bag rider soon
- Benchmark and Hawkhill MTU contour 1:8 twist barrels (I have two barrels spun up for it, it's a barrel burner)
- Bix 'n Andy Tacsport 2 stage trigger
- Khales K624i scope with AMR reticle
- ARC M10 rings

I couldn't be much happier with it, puts a smile on my face every time i shoot it. The JAE is the most comfortable chassis you will get behind (the AI is a bit hit or miss with how it fits people). I wouldn't change a thing with how this rifle is built.

Very nice rifle. Very close to what I am having quoted out. Can you please share who built the rifle?

 

[christopher.dow]

Deviant, Bartlein, XLR Envy, Bugholes

 

[NateVA]

While I know the AXMC is a good rifle, I just can't find anything to convince me that they are worth double what custom build would cost.

I'm not an AI owner but I think the AI would certainly have big advantages over customs for a lot of things. It just depends on your use. I frequently see the AXMC described as the only rifle its owners ever shoot anymore, etc etc.

 

[kthomas]

Very nice rifle. Very close to what I am having quoted out. Can you please share who built the rifle?

The barrels were spun up by two different gunsmiths in Canada. One was done by Insite Arms, the other by Custom Gunworx.

I'm back and forth between the US and Canada at the moment. My main gunsmith down here is TS Customs, and he will most likely be spinning up my next barrel when I burn these two out.

 

[Yerman]

The barrels were spun up by two different gunsmiths in Canada. One was done by Insite Arms, the other by Custom Gunworx.

I'm back and forth between the US and Canada at the moment. My main gunsmith down here is TS Customs, and he will most likely be spinning up my next barrel when I burn these two out.

Thanks. Wade at Stuteville spent a lot of time with me, answered all my questions, and seems very knowledgable. I have never had a gun from his shop but if he is good enough to build a bunch of rifles for the PRS guys and spin up barrels for AI, I think he will turn out a great rifle. Anyone have an rifles from him that is willing to share experiance and pics?

 

[Barney88PDC]

Wade is top notch and you will not be disappointed. If you decide to go Surgeon over Defiance I may be a able to get you an action at discount, maybe.

 

[ratrod54]

I went custom for mine. I had the exact same intended use and couldn't be happier.

Mine is a SAC 300NM
Defiance Alpha 11 Action
Bartlein Barrel - 26" Heavy Palma 1:9 Twist set up for 230 Berger Hybrids
Cadex Chassis
TBAC 338 Ultra
RL33 and Norma Brass @ ~2900 fps
Old pic prior to receiving stamp for suppressor. Now running the Area 419 break and TBAC adapter.

I love this rifle. You cant go wrong with whichever you choose. I went custom so I could have it set up just like I wanted.

 

[Torchy]

Should have my Cadex in 300nm soon. Been a while so if you order direct, prepare to wait a while.

 

[NateVA]

I went custom for mine. I had the exact same intended use and couldn't be happier.

Mine is a SAC 300NM
Defiance Alpha 11 Action
Bartlein Barrel - 26" Heavy Palma 1:9 Twist set up for 230 Berger Hybrids
Cadex Chassis
TBAC 338 Ultra
RL33 and Norma Brass @ ~2900 fps
Old pic prior to receiving stamp for suppressor. Now running the Area 419 break and TBAC adapter.

I love this rifle. You cant go wrong with whichever you choose. I went custom so I could have it set up just like I wanted.

How do you like the 338 Ultra on a 300NM rifle? That's probably the largest cartridge I'll ever consider getting a rifle in and I have a 338 Ultra on order. I'm curious as to how manageable the suppressor makes it.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

While I know the AXMC is a good rifle, I just can't find anything to convince me that they are worth double what custom build would cost.

- Double stack 10 round mags which you can't get on any custom.

- Top tier replacement barrels available from AINA that can be on your doorstep in a few days tops, plus lots of gunsmiths have prefits sitting on the shelf.

- End user swappable barrels, no sending your rifle off to a smith and waiting around their schedule when it's time for a new tube.

- The ability to swap from any standard bolt face, magnum bolt face, or lapua bolt face round back and forth in a matter of minutes with nothing more than a 4mm allen wrench.

- Bomb proof 60 degree action that's a feeding machine.

- Ultra reliable triggers.

- Master race lifetime membership included with every AI purchase.



Yes it's more of an investment from the get go but when you factor in spare barrels at $800, both conversion bolts and the mag adaptor at sub $1800, plus whatever mags you need it gets way less expensive then building another rifle. That's not including the $3-4K optic that will most likely accompany each custom. If you look at the long term investment, the AI is a deal. AX me how I know.

 

[surgeon260]

How do you like the 338 Ultra on a 300NM rifle? That's probably the largest cartridge I'll ever consider getting a rifle in and I have a 338 Ultra on order. I'm curious as to how manageable the suppressor makes it.

I use the 338 Ultra on both a 15 lb 300 Norma and a 22 lb 338 Norma (both improved). The 338 Ultra turns both of these rifles into pussy cats. Recoil is completely manageable, with a noticeably longer and smoother impulse. I can easily spot impacts with both rifles off of a loaded bipod. Noise reduction on these rifles with the 338 Ultra is pretty much as good as it gets. I can't tell a difference in noise/blast between my 6.5x47 with an Ultra 9 attached and a 300 Norma improved with the 338 Ultra attached.

Bottom line, this is pretty much the best can you buy for the Norma mags. It is extremely impressive and makes these big cartridges a joy to shoot.

 

[Yerman]

Thanks for all the insights everyone. Decided to go custom as we (my dad and I are doing this one together) couldn't justify the price of the AXMC. Thanks for the post redneckbmxer24, that is just what we were looking for but we just didn't feel like it was worth the extra cost. I'm sure it's a very nice rifle but we just decided custom was the route to go.

Huge thanks to Wade at Stuteveille Precision for answering all our questions and getting this put together for us.

Placed the order today. Here are specs:

J Allen Chassis Long Action CIP, Titanium Gray, Arca Rail 6"
Defiance Deviant, LA, 20moa, magnum bolt face, Nitride finish action (black)
Bartlein, .308, #7 (MTU), 1:9 twist, 28", Straight flutes - Shallow, Cerakote barrel graphite black
Chambered in 300 Norma Magnum
APA Fat Bastard Gen 2
2 x AI 5 rd cip mag
Trigger Tech Diamond - Flat Shoe
Optic - TBD (Leaning towards NF 7-35 or ZCO 5-25)
Mount - TBD (Probably Spuhr Mount or Era-tac Adjustable)
Bipod - TBD (Probably Atlas 5-H or Cal Gen 2)

Now the wait.........

 

[W54/XM-388]

What are you looking at for a total build cost currently?
(Not including optic, mount & bipod)

 

[Yerman]

What are you looking at for a total build cost currently?
(Not including optic, mount & bipod)

PM Sent

 

[Yerman]

@ratrod54 Very nice rifle! What is your overall length and what bag are using to transport your rifle?

@kthomas same question.

Thanks

 

[kthomas]

I haven't measured the overall length, but it's long. If I take the brake off, it barely fits into a TacOps large drag bag. The rifle barely fits into a Pelican 1750 case (including brake), but the rifle needs to go into the case at an angle.

 

[Showmestate469]

"Surgeon, Shoot to Kill". I have a defiance deviant action and surgeon both outstanding custom actions. I have a custom 300 wsm and 300 win . Performance is real close. Depends on if you want a long action or short. I assume you will be reloading for the gun. Surgeon now makes a 591 action just for wsm cartilage. Best performance in my opinion would be McMillan/manners stock. Custom action, Jewell trigger, bartlein/ kreiger barrel 1-10 twist , 26 inch with FTE badger ordnance brake.

 

[Yerman]

Follow up question. If you were going to have a second barrel spun up for this rifle and wanted a different caliber, what would you get?

Is there anything out there that is outperforming the 230gr 300 Norma Magnum that you would consider that fits the action I ordered?

 

[biffj]

I'm a bit partial to the Desert tactical SRS myself. I've done up a number of 300NM barrels for friends and customers and they're amazingly accurate. Same bolt is good for the 338 NM or 338 Lapua Mag and 510 Whisper (12.7X48). A .535" dia bolt for the 300 Win mag will allow any cal that uses that bolt face. 7mm Ultra Mag is popular in that size. the .473" bolt will allow any cal that uses the 308 case head. I'm running a 6.5X47 Lapua, 338 Benchrest and have made up barrels for 6.5 Creedmore and a number of others. You're limited more by imagination than anything else. I even built a 7.5 X 55 Swiss barrel for my own warped sense of humor. They all shoot lights out.....

Frank

 

[christopher.dow]

J Allen Chassis Long Action CIP, Titanium Gray, Arca Rail 6"
Defiance Deviant, LA, 20moa, magnum bolt face, Nitride finish action (black)
Bartlein, .308, #7 (MTU), 1:9 twist, 28", Straight flutes - Shallow, Cerakote barrel graphite black
Chambered in 300 Norma Magnum
APA Fat Bastard Gen 2
2 x AI 5 rd cip mag
Trigger Tech Diamond - Flat Shoe
Optic - TBD (Leaning towards NF 7-35 or ZCO 5-25)
Mount - TBD (Probably Spuhr Mount or Era-tac Adjustable)
Bipod - TBD (Probably Atlas 5-H or Cal Gen 2)

Now the wait.........

It’s the hardest part (apologies to Mr. Petty, may he RIP)

That’s very close to what I got. Defiance LA 20MOA, Bartlein, Fat Bastard (it’s LOUD). I went with an XLR CIP chassis and CIP mags. They work with the 3.765 Warner 198 load I run. Neither Greg Young nor I could get the standard Trigger Tech to work in the Deviant, but the Diamond may be GTG. I went with a Spuhr 20 MOA mount for a total elevation of 40. I went the Razor Gen II route, but of course the ATACR has more magnification. I just got the Atlas 5-H.

 

[CBlack]

I have a custom from WTO and it's fantastic. Love that rifle.

 

[Yerman]

Neither Greg Young nor I could get the standard Trigger Tech to work in the Deviant, but the Diamond may be GTG.

What kid of problems were you having the the Trigger Tech?