.300 win mag lightweight??
Here are the reasons I want a .300 win mag.
Grandpa and uncle shoot and reload them. Good ballistic performance. Availability of brass/ammo/rifles/parts. I want to go Elk hunting.
My concern is finding one that's lightweight to hike around in the rockies with. I've got an old m70 in .270 that would do but it's a ton. Now if I get a shorter barrel to lighten up the .300, I'll lose some performance. Browning 1885 never was chambered in .300 win mag (7mm mag it was) That leaves ruger #1 & Thompson/Contender Encore Rifle. Questions: 1. Any other models to consider? What do they weigh?
2. How much do the T/C and #1 weigh with 26 inch barrel?
3. In a short action caliber such as .300 WSM what about reduced powder capacity due to longer heavier bullet such as 220 (for moose/brown bear let's say.. Is the reduced powder capacity significant? Thanks for any suggestions.
Grandpa and uncle shoot and reload them. Good ballistic performance. Availability of brass/ammo/rifles/parts. I want to go Elk hunting.
My concern is finding one that's lightweight to hike around in the rockies with. I've got an old m70 in .270 that would do but it's a ton. Now if I get a shorter barrel to lighten up the .300, I'll lose some performance. Browning 1885 never was chambered in .300 win mag (7mm mag it was) That leaves ruger #1 & Thompson/Contender Encore Rifle. Questions: 1. Any other models to consider? What do they weigh?
2. How much do the T/C and #1 weigh with 26 inch barrel?
3. In a short action caliber such as .300 WSM what about reduced powder capacity due to longer heavier bullet such as 220 (for moose/brown bear let's say.. Is the reduced powder capacity significant? Thanks for any suggestions.
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Jamesgray, here's something you may want to consider. I am sending you the web addy to winchester's website that shows the model 70 in featherweight in 300 wsm. I feel that the wsm is hands down the better choice over the win mag. Almsot identical performance, and the amount of powder difference is less than 10 %. The short mag, in some cases even outperforms the win mag, with much lighter recoil. Now the model 70 featherweight can be had in a 24" barrel and tops out around 7.5 pounds. The reloading thing shouldn't be a problem either. You'll just need to order some 300 wsm cases, dies, etc.
http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=004&cat=001C
woodyd0 -
Too bad they don't make the Remington 700 Titanium in .300 mag. http://www.remington.com/firearms/centerfire/fi_700tul.htm It only weighs 5.5 pounds, but I think the recoil of a .300 win mag out of a 5.5 pound rifle would be a little rough, not to mention it would be harder on your scope since its weight percentage would be higher and thus it would absorb more of the recoil.
The standard 700 BDL SS weighs in a 7.5 pounds, that is what I've used for the past 15 years or so (actually mine is has a detachable magazine, but I wish it didn't).
http://www.remington.com/firearms/centerfire/700bdlss.htm
I can't answer your other specific questions, but I personally don't think a 7.5 pound rifle is too bad, and a person can go with a lightweight scope to reduce it a few ounces. I think a very good quality sling like Verovellini sure helps with the weight.
It doesn't matter what you shoot, just shoot it well...0 -
Can't say anything good about the wsm; haven't shot it in anything.
You didn't say where you were wanting to hunt elk, so I'll just pose this; unless you're shooting over 400 yds., you won't notice any velocity losses due to a 2" shorter barrel. I have used a Sako TRG-S in 300wm for the last 5 years on elk hunts in NM & Colo. and haven't noticed any difference in the weight compared to my Ruger M77MKII, which weighs almost 2 pounds less. Recoil is another matter.
I prefer the Sako simply because of the extra 2 pounds of recoil buffering. Now I'm not Delta Force material by any measure, and I'm not getting any younger; but when I'm on the track of some 800-1000lb. game animal, the rifle's weight has absolutely no bearing. (and I'm sure all my puffing and wheezing attracts more and bigger elk, thank you)
If you know it all; you must have been listening.WEAR EAR PROTECTION!0 -
Recoil can be solved by a break installed by a gunsmith. That being said,.....I would look at the WSM also. Perceived recoil is less, although tests show it's not more than a few ft/lbs less due to the slightly less powder capacity. The elk will not be ablt to tell you he was hit by a 220gr bullet sitting over 10% less powder, so that's not even a concern. Place your shot, and a 270 will do the job.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
I guess part of the trouble with the weight of the model 70 is psychological...I got it when I was 12 and then it was a real chore to carry. My dad was carrying a 25-35 lever. My aunt carried a little .243. We all carried .22's sometimes. They all seemed like carrying nothing compared to the 9 lb. scoped .270 M70. I got it in my head that it was too heavy to hike with so I mainly used it for sitting on stand. I guess I'll just toughen up, and maybe get a better sling than the thin little old leather strap that's on it now.
thanks for the input
maybe by the time i get to go elk hunting money will not be an issue and i'll be able to buy any rifle i want....0 -
Why dont you think about getting lighter cloth's Like lighter boots they have some real good insulated boots that are a lot lighter than they were years ago, and lighter pants and coats I am sure you can shead 5# from your self. Let me know what you think about this. 0 -
I think you solved it James, go for the sling that allowes you to carry in the position for a snap shot they sell them as tactical slings or something but they distribute the weight nicely. 0 -
usually i think more about weather and terrain when i choose my clothes. i live in texas, so if i'm going to be sitting on stand in a cool breeze i carry an overcoat and some wool pants to put on once i get situated. if i'm gong to be hiking i just wear a light to medium jacket. terrain tells me if i wear sneakers or boots
for the elk hunt that i hope to do one day.... well i'm from texas so i'll probably be bundled up pretty well except when hiking uphill in the sun...certainly i'll try to limit the weight...i figure the lighter i get the more terrain i'll cross... for me seeing the outdoors is #1 and getting something in the freezer is a close second0 -
That's the spirit! I always enjoy hunting in lousy areas because there are no "YAYHOOS" within miles, and I can relax and try to find a big 'un. If I don't find him, I still have a great time wandering around behind the smaller animals, checkin' out what God gave us to live on! Meat has always been a secondary concern for me since I hunt alone, and have to retrieve anything I shoot by myself.
If you know it all; you must have been listening.WEAR EAR PROTECTION!0
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