Thread: Do i need a 300 win mag?

Originally Posted by Flyblown

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That's a gem of a cartoon. Gave me a much needed laugh.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

I had a dose of the 300 magnum bug in the 90s in SA. Didn't last long. Even after I'd got on top of the recoil, I found the shooting experience became an ordeal rather than fun. Having shot animals with .243 as a youngster, then various Mauser action cartridges, and the usual .308s, .270s etc, I couldn't detect any tangible difference to the way the animals fell over when shot with the magnum. Primarily because I couldn't see them after the shot, too busy trying to control the muzzle flip.

Like big loud live axle V8s, short piped Harleys, screaming rotaries, death metal and Tannerite Exploding Rifle Targets, a 300 Win Mag is fun for a while, then it becomes kinda meh.

Sure, buy it, shoot big loud heavy kicking bangs and have some fun, but my bet based on my experience and that of my rellies & mates around the world, is that you'll end up selling it. At a loss!

It is not a loss. It is what we do. In have a magnum in the cupboard right now bought in the same fashion. Seems like a handy thing, especially for Tahr. I rarely fire shot strings so it does not bother me at all. Everything is easy to shoot for 1-2 rounds. The real question is how handy is your range.

Originally Posted by Tussock

The real question is how handy is your range.

What d'ya mean? Range as in distance away, or range as in where you shoot to practice?

I bought a 9.3x62 on a whim, dammed if I don't think I'll ever part with it, love it. [Today, just now, this month]
So go for it , have fun.

Originally Posted by Sideshow

But isn't that with all calibers?

Yes you are quite right, BUT there is a difference IMO. If you placed a 243 and a 300 Mag round through the vitals of a deer at say 400 yards I would be thinking the animal would most likely drop quicker with the 300 than the 243. Both would be dead but the impact effect would favor the bigger caliber.
The energy does have a lot to do with the outcome, some people think it is just a bunch of numbers but I think that these energy figures tell us what to expect when an animal is hit. I for instance believe that the 243 has lost its energy for effective kills at about 350 odd yards where as the 300 still has the power out to 900 plus yards with well placed shots.
I remember shooting a good sized Red Stag with my 300 RUM at only 90 yards ( big over kill ) but that stag went down like it was hit by lighting, it never moved, it's legs folded under it and there wasn't a tail or ear twitch. He was hit with over 4000 Ft lds of energy at that range. That is where the bigger magnums come into there own by delivering plenty of energy on the animal. Of all the animals I have shot with my various magnum calibers I struggle to remember any that have moved very far from the spot they were hit at, that is one reason I like the big bangers. A bit more noise and recoil is the trade off but it's not that bad and it's worth it. Meat damage is more a result of the type of bullet used, the faster opening type will damage more meat than say a bonded or full copper type bullet and because you can drive them faster you will see this effect.
Years ago me and me mate shot a Fallow Buck each, I was using my 338 Win Mag with 230 gr Fail Safe bullets, me mate was using a 308 with a cup and core type bullet. Same range and my stag had an entry and exit through the shoulder and minimal meat loss, my mates exit shoulder was destroyed, the heavier bullet had less of an explosive effect but still got the job done.
I like my Magnums a lot but I also like using the standard type calibers too, the debate over what is the best has raged for years and will for many more, long may it. By the way @muka88 enjoy your 300 and make up your own mind on how they perform . Good Shooting.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

What d'ya mean? Range as in distance away, or range as in where you shoot to practice?

Range as in distance away. If I have a range behind my house I'm inclined to fire one round out of a cold barrel all day, never firing more than one or two rounds at a time. Doing this I can shoot a heavy recoiling rifle easily. Anyone could. When I went to a public range and tried to get my shooting done as fast as possible, different story. Long shot strings are the killer.

When I had one I couldn't get over how accurate the 300WM was. The only thing I didn't like about it was the size and bulk of the rifle (a mod 700). The actual caliber and killing power was great, which you would expect hurling a whopping big lump of 190 grn bullet at the same speed that a .222 does with a 50 grn.

I muffler tames them too. Those new 3" forward DLT look the ticket.

I reckon go for it. Its fun mucking around with a new rifle and caliber.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Those new 3" forward DLT look the ticket.

I reckon go for it. Its fun mucking around with a new rifle and caliber.

Yep that you can't argue with!
Not my cup of tea but that's not to say that I won't give one a go I'd not buy one as I can shoot out to as far as I want with my 7x57, my next door neighbor has a 338 and can shoot out to the mile. He's offered to give me a go and I'm there with bells on but buy one? No not my cup of tea but that's not to I won't drink from the cup

Great cal with plenty of sting, just make sure you hold on to it properly. If you can then it'll be dropping animals all over the show for you.

Get closer and buy a 270
A mate got a 300 win mag and a big fancy scope that dialed up and was good to go out to 800m he reckoned...Every time he went out after that the deer just seem to get closer. He sold it and bought a 260.
Every cal has an application it was designed for. ( 300 WM for ultra long range sniper engagements ) For serial open country where you cant get within 400m then I guess I 300WM or 7mm Rem Mag are solid contenders and built for purpose.

Good luck with your decision.

Sometimes ya gotta own it just to own it !
I enjoy the idea of having a 300WM or a 7mm Rem. I also like the idea of owning a .17.

Different tools for different situations right. Maybe someday an elephant will escape from the zoo and your the only one around with a rifle. Your standing around 500 yards away and you see it heading for a school. You better hope it’s your 300WM over your .17

We could all just buy a .270, 7-08 or .260 or similar, shoot deer and never talk about it. Then there would be no point to this forum. Buy a 300 Win Mag, use it like a rifle. Learn from it and tell us what you learned.

There is no conceivable reason why you can't hunt with a 300 Win Mag. It is not actually that big. In some places it would be considered small. It is a learned skill shooting big guns well.

Deals do come and go as you know have you compared it for price against other t3 8n this calibre just wondering good luck sounds good to me tbh

Have you bought it yet? Hurry up before someone else gets it

Just like I don't need my 358 for deer, hares and possums but it's a lot of fun hitting pests with a pistol bullet at rifle velocities.
If the deal is good, you have the coin and you have a hankering for one. Get it and if after a while you don't use it move it one.
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