300 Remington Ultra Mags?

[huntingfish]

Howdy,
Our moose hunting grounds has shooting opportunities of up to 2200 ft (across the lake). I usually hunt at the swamp (100 yd circular clearing) and my 30-06 does the job nicely (see "my first moose ever" thread ).

Our camp is located right on the lake however and if a moose were to come out at the end of the lake, usually my hunting partner would attempt the shot (he has a 300 win mag and has had a lot more practice shooting than I did). Sometimes though, I'm in camp alone waiting for him to return from his cache...if I do see something step out of the bush, I'd like to take a shot at it (I would obviously practice such shots before hand).

Finally, my girlfriend will eventually come hunting with us and (in the farther future), my son will surely come hunting with us as well (although, he's only 7 month old right now hehe). Anyways, I seem to recall seeing that

Hence why I started looking at the 300 RUM. If I remember correctly, you have 3 power levels (1: 30-06, 2: 300 win mag, 3: across-the-lake-type-shots) and there are also managed recoil ammo (this I'm not a 100% sure though, confirmation please?). For my girlfriend / son, managed recoil would be perfect. Power level 1 would be equivalent to my 30-06 when at the swamp. Power level 2-3: when I see something come out of the bush on the other side of the lake (I say otherside of the lake...but it could farther away than 100 yds but not necessarily 2200ft).

What do you guys think? What do people use the 300 RUM for anyways?

Fish

 

[oopswasthatyourdog?]

No matter the caliber, not many people can take a 700+ yard shot with confidance.....

 

[stubblejumper]

The 300RUM in the right hands is capable of 700 yard shots,however if you aren't willing to practise out to 700 yards on a regular basis,and purchase a quality rangefinder to precisely measure the range,you are wasting your time.Buying a 700 yard cartridge does not make you a competent 700 yard shooter.

Do you even have access to a 700 yard range on a regular basis?

I personally have owned two custom 300 ultramags,and with regular practice,I felt very confident out to 500 yards under most hunting conditions,but I would not even think about taking a 700 yard shot at a big game animal,because I don't practise at 700 yards on a regular basis.The main factor for my limiting myself to 500 yards is that I don't feel confident enough in my ability to estimate windage at 700 yards.The effect of even a very slight error in windage estimation at 700 yards is much more significant than most people realize.

If I remember correctly, you have 3 power levels (1: 30-06, 2: 300 win mag, 3: across-the-lake-type-shots) and there are also managed recoil ammo (this I'm not a 100% sure though, confirmation please?).

There are loads in three power levels,but no managed recoil load.You also have to realize that even if you load a 300RUM to 30-06 velocities,you will still have a more recoil than a 30-06 due to the fact that you are still burning much more powder.

 

[huntingfish]

Ahh, I was reading a bit on Rem's website. It seems Power Level 1 for 300 ultra mag is reduced recoil ammo.

Fish

 

[stubblejumper]

Ahh, I was reading a bit on Rem's website. It seems Power Level 1 for 300 ultra mag is reduced recoil ammo.

Of course level 1 ammunition has less recoil than level 2 ammunition,which has less recoil than level 3 ammunition.But all will have more recoil than a 30-06.

And unless you are going to shoot full power loads,why pay extra for 300RUM loads,and have a shorter barrel life as well.

 

[beretta boy]

...There are loads in three power levels,but no managed recoil load...

There are indeed "three power levels" ..., however Remington does offer a Managed Recoil load. It is catalogued as one of the 3 loads available within Power Level 1.

The "standard" Power Level 1 load with the 150 gr. Core-Lokt PSP
( R300UM1-P1 ) duplicates almost exactly the same ballistics as a similar load in a 30-06 with the same 150 gr. bullet, i.e., 2910 fps MV, 2820 ME and the identical ccalculated drop at 500 yds. The "premium" Power Level 1 load
( PRA300UM1-P1) has a 150 gr. AccuTip Boat Tail bullet leaving at the same velocity, but carries more energy with less drop down range due to it's higher BC. ( 0.415 vs. 0.314)

The Managed Recoil load is advertised and packaged as such with a different product code ( RL300UM1 ) also loaded with a 150 gr. Core-Lokt bullet, but generating very closely the approximate ballistics of a similar 308 Win. load.

Remington's packaging for this load is very clearly "Managed Recoil"

 

[pharaoh2]

You have the option of changing loads, however you will have to readjust your scope everytime you change power levels. I'm a set it and forget it kind of guy. One load, one zero, no questions.

The Ultras are awesome cartridges no doubt. However unless you want a new gun and a new cartridge just because, there is no practical reason for owning such a beast when 99% of the shots you will ever take will be within reach or your '06. But far be it from me to stop someone from buying a new gun.

 

[stubblejumper]

Remington's packaging for this load is very clearly "Managed Recoil"

I stand corrected.I compared all of the 300RUM loads listed under ballistics on the Remington site,and no mention was made of a managed recoil load.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/choose_specific_loads.aspx?c1=38&c2=&c3=

In fact both level 1 loads list the same muzzle velocity and energy.

However,there is a 300RUM load listed under managed recoil loads that doesn't seem to be listed with the other loads.

I don't see the point of a load offering 308win ballistics,but burning all of that extra powder,and providing more recoil than a 308win,but apparently it does exist.

 

[stubblejumper]

You have the option of changing loads, however you will have to readjust your scope everytime you change power levels. I'm a set it and forget it kind of guy. One load, one zero, no questions.

Unless of course you believe the Remington advertising.

Practice Makes Perfect: For hunters that target shoot to improve their performance, Managed-Recoil cartridges provide more time on the range, without the bruises to prove it. It offers great hunting performance at ranges out to 200 yards, and you can switch to full-power ammo without scope adjustment.

But you would have to be pretty naive to believe that all loads will have the exact same point of impact.

 

[beretta boy]

...I don't see the point...

Frankly, neither do I, but they are at least attempting to do - and offer to the general public - what some of us handloaders do as a matter of course.
( i.e., reduced loads )

With typical loads for the 300 RUM/150 gr. averaging something between
3300 and 3600 fps, I guess it's a worthwhile option to have something down around 2800 - 2900 fps for 100 yard whitetail, as well as the hot 180 and 200 gr. loads that some want to shoot at elk & moose at longer ranges.

 

[stubblejumper]

With typical loads for the 300 RUM/150 gr. averaging something between
3300 and 3600 fps, I guess it's a worthwhile option to have something down around 2800 - 2900 fps for 100 yard whitetail, as well as the hot 180 and 200 gr. loads that some want to shoot at elk & moose at longer ranges.

I just used a 180gr TSX load at 3380fps for all of my big game hunting.Of course the 165gr TSX or TTSX would do just as well.I am a big believer in one load,one sight in ,and one trajectory/windage to learn.I have seen missed shots due to people that use multiple loads getting mixed up as to which load/ballistics they are using,or because they sighted in with one load,but shot at game with another without verifying the sight in.I prefer to eliminate that risk.