- Location
- Calgary, AB
Anyone out there that owns or has experience with this round? I am thinking of buying a M700 SPS, and would like to hear opinions.
I have used .300 Win and .300 Wby.
I have used .300 Win and .300 Wby.
300 Rum
- Thread starter 444shooter
- Start date
I've got a modified M700 BDL S/S in 300 RUM. Needed a lot of after market improvements to make it a shooter! I've gotten rid of the factory tupperware and replaced it with a longer LOP HS Precision sportster stock, lightened the factor trigger considerably, developed a 200 grain Nosler Accubond load using Retumbo and Federal large rifle primers that push 3200 FPS and less than MOA groups easily if I do my part. The first scope I had was a Bushnell 3200 4-12 A/O...now long gone and replaced with Burris Signature Series Dual Dovetail high rings and burris bases with a Leupold Vari-X III 4.5-14 x50 A/O. If anything remember that the RUM NEEDS a scope with very modest eye relief to make it shooter friendly. This cartridge certainly delivers with the heavier Accubonds ...and I have really not even tried lighter bullets or makes. My biggest concern would be the factory plastic stock...if your buying the SPS be ready to swap the stock for a laminate or stronger aftermarket.
As Martin stated,I have two custom 300ultramags.Mine are built on stainless remington actions,but I use fluted aftermarket medium varmint barrels,and pillar bedding into mcmillan stocks.The total weight of my rifles with the 3x10x42 swarovski scopes mounted runs right around 10 lbs so they aren't lightweights,but the added weight makes them quite managable to shoot.My 180tsx load averages 3380fps and both rifles average 5/8" groups at 100 yards with this load.To date I have taken 9 elk and 2 moose with the 300ultramags,at ranges from 80 yards to 377 yards, and I am very pleased with the performance.
However I do hesitate to recommend this cartridge to most hunters.The primary reason is that the 300ultramag only offers an advantage over the 300win mag when the ranges exceed 300 yards.And then in order to utilize the advantage offered by the 300 ultramag,the shooter must be willing to practise at longer distances in order to learn the cartridges trajectory,and most importantly to develop and maintain the shooting skills necessary to accurately place his bullets at distances exceeding 300 yards.Most shooters aren't willing to spend the time or money,and deal with the substancial recoil in order to practise regularly with this round.Even if you are willing,you must have access to a location where you can shoot long distances,and at those distances ,a laser rangefinder becomes a necessity,as any error in range estimation can cause a miss or worse yet a wounded animal.
Another factor to consider,is that the factory loads for the 300ultramag are pathetically mild with some 180gr loads barely reaching 3200fps in most rifles.This isn't enough gain over the 300winmag to justify the extra recoil and cost or ammunition.Therefore,I do not recommend this cartridge unless you handload.
Lastly,the 300ultramag does not have a long barrel life.If you are very careful not to overheat the barrel,the life expectancy will be in the 1000 to 1500 round area.In other words,if you shoot this cartridge enough to remain proficient with it,you will be shopping for a barrel at least every 4 or 5 years.
I have several identical rifles with nearly identical trajectories so,I am able to practise a bit with each of them to prolong the life of the barrels.
However,if you have access to a 500 yard range,own a laser rangefinder,are prepared to spend the time and money to practise at longer distances,are prepared to put up with the recoil,and are willing to rebarrel when required,the 300 ultramag is a great long range cartridge.
However I do hesitate to recommend this cartridge to most hunters.The primary reason is that the 300ultramag only offers an advantage over the 300win mag when the ranges exceed 300 yards.And then in order to utilize the advantage offered by the 300 ultramag,the shooter must be willing to practise at longer distances in order to learn the cartridges trajectory,and most importantly to develop and maintain the shooting skills necessary to accurately place his bullets at distances exceeding 300 yards.Most shooters aren't willing to spend the time or money,and deal with the substancial recoil in order to practise regularly with this round.Even if you are willing,you must have access to a location where you can shoot long distances,and at those distances ,a laser rangefinder becomes a necessity,as any error in range estimation can cause a miss or worse yet a wounded animal.
Another factor to consider,is that the factory loads for the 300ultramag are pathetically mild with some 180gr loads barely reaching 3200fps in most rifles.This isn't enough gain over the 300winmag to justify the extra recoil and cost or ammunition.Therefore,I do not recommend this cartridge unless you handload.
Lastly,the 300ultramag does not have a long barrel life.If you are very careful not to overheat the barrel,the life expectancy will be in the 1000 to 1500 round area.In other words,if you shoot this cartridge enough to remain proficient with it,you will be shopping for a barrel at least every 4 or 5 years.
I have several identical rifles with nearly identical trajectories so,I am able to practise a bit with each of them to prolong the life of the barrels.
However,if you have access to a 500 yard range,own a laser rangefinder,are prepared to spend the time and money to practise at longer distances,are prepared to put up with the recoil,and are willing to rebarrel when required,the 300 ultramag is a great long range cartridge.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
I shoot a 300RUM in a LR cannon. Using 220 and 240gr MK, recoil is very high in a normal hunting rifle weight. Certainly more then I choose to tolerate. My cannon weighs in at a feathery 35lbs WITH a muzzle brake.
It can be a very accurate rd and can offer an increase in muzzle velocity. However, with typical 24" and 26" barrels, that increase is nothing to write home about. In a 35" barrel, now we are getting some use out of 97gr of powder.
If all you want is a walkabout hunting rifle for ALL grass eating NA big game harvested inside 300yds, you most certainly do not need a RUM. In fact, the extra velocity causes more problems like REDUCE penetration with most bullets.
For LR hunting, it most certainly has very strong potential. It will take a bit of work to get a 9lbs factory rifle to deliver the type of shooting accuracy, consistency or control to matter beyond 500yds, but it can be done.
Jerry
It can be a very accurate rd and can offer an increase in muzzle velocity. However, with typical 24" and 26" barrels, that increase is nothing to write home about. In a 35" barrel, now we are getting some use out of 97gr of powder.
If all you want is a walkabout hunting rifle for ALL grass eating NA big game harvested inside 300yds, you most certainly do not need a RUM. In fact, the extra velocity causes more problems like REDUCE penetration with most bullets.
For LR hunting, it most certainly has very strong potential. It will take a bit of work to get a 9lbs factory rifle to deliver the type of shooting accuracy, consistency or control to matter beyond 500yds, but it can be done.
Jerry
- Location
- Calgary, AB
mysticplayer said:
This would be me then. What caliber would you recommend? I reload, btw.
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
If your at all recoil shy stay away from that caliber
but if your not , it rocks
Frank
but if your not , it rocks Frank
Wrong Way
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I shoot a 700 LSS (Laminate/stainless) with an elite 4200 2.5-10X for moose.
Generally I shoot factory ammo in a 200gr partition, and have had good results. The recoil is not as scary as some would have you believe, in fact my 12ga with a heavy turkey load or slug hurts more. If you are seriously considering this rifle, hold off and keep an eye on the EE. Either my LSS or a model 7 in 300SAUM is going up soon (depending on which I like better...the S/A should be here today or tomorrow)
Cheers,
Ryan
Generally I shoot factory ammo in a 200gr partition, and have had good results. The recoil is not as scary as some would have you believe, in fact my 12ga with a heavy turkey load or slug hurts more. If you are seriously considering this rifle, hold off and keep an eye on the EE. Either my LSS or a model 7 in 300SAUM is going up soon (depending on which I like better...the S/A should be here today or tomorrow)
Cheers,
Ryan
Good advice... Although I love the 300RUM and I think it is a top choice for long range big game... the recoil and muzzle blast can ruin a shooter especially a new shooter.stubblejumper said:
This is good advice too
.Gatehouse said:
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I would not classify myself as recoil sensitive. I have owned and fired calibers up to .416 Rigby and .458 Win Mag.
The one caliber that I do miss is my .270 Wby (Weatherby Vanguard). It was so accurate and fast! Was getting 3350+ from a 130gr in a 24" barrel.
I also used to own a 7mm RM. It was a Browning A-Bolt, and would cluster 3 shots into .69" at 100 yds with 79grs H-870 and a Hornady 162gr BTSP.
Decisions, decisions....
The one caliber that I do miss is my .270 Wby (Weatherby Vanguard). It was so accurate and fast! Was getting 3350+ from a 130gr in a 24" barrel.
I also used to own a 7mm RM. It was a Browning A-Bolt, and would cluster 3 shots into .69" at 100 yds with 79grs H-870 and a Hornady 162gr BTSP.
Decisions, decisions....
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
444, since you are looking at 300yds and in, with the likelihood that most everything is on the shorter side, I would choose from the 260, or 708. The 308 is also excellent.
If going with a long action, I would choose the 280 or a 270. The -06 works very well but I like the other bullets for better ballistics. A 6.5-06 would be a hoot.
Instead of using the case, I will turn to all those wonderful bullets to do a variety of things I want.
The difference in drop out to 300yds between a 7-08 and a 7STW is an inch or two. Not much in my books.
By selecting reg. to premium bullets, I can choose whatever on game performance I want.
Lighter rifles, easy on the shoulder and ears, equally accurate (maybe more so) and if set up properly, still allow an effective range out to 500yds or more.
Jerry
If going with a long action, I would choose the 280 or a 270. The -06 works very well but I like the other bullets for better ballistics. A 6.5-06 would be a hoot.
Instead of using the case, I will turn to all those wonderful bullets to do a variety of things I want.
The difference in drop out to 300yds between a 7-08 and a 7STW is an inch or two. Not much in my books.
By selecting reg. to premium bullets, I can choose whatever on game performance I want.
Lighter rifles, easy on the shoulder and ears, equally accurate (maybe more so) and if set up properly, still allow an effective range out to 500yds or more.
Jerry
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Thanks for all the replies so far. I might be re-thinking my choice, and will have to ponder this for a while yet
Quite frankly I can't see the advantage of a .300 RUM until you are WAY past 300 yards. The RUM with a 180gr TSX has a point blank range of about 330 yards, the .300 Win has a PBR of about 308 yards. At 400 yards the drop of the RUM is about 8.9" and the Win Mag is 12.7"....
I guess my point is, how far do you want to shoot?
I guess my point is, how far do you want to shoot?
Once you get much past 300 yards, you are GOING to have to compensate for drop, whether you're using a 308 or 30-378. So the 'flatter trajectory' argument is mostly nonsense. What you WILL get though, is more energy on distant targets. So, under 300 yards, I'd suggest that there is no reason whatsoever for this cartridge. Anything it can do, a 308 could do almost exactly as well. Out to 500 or 600 yards, it gains you basically nothing over a 300 WM. True, guys have gotten 1000-yard kills with a 300 WM, but energy levels and remaining velocity is getting pretty dismal at that range. Beyond that is where it really shines.
So, I guess my question to you is: "are you a thousand-yard hunter?" If no, then I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
Just my $0.02.
So, I guess my question to you is: "are you a thousand-yard hunter?" If no, then I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
Just my $0.02.
I have been shooting a 26" barreled, stainless steel Rem 700 BDL 300 RUM with a Leupold Vari X 111 4.5-14X scope for almost 5 years now. I load 180gr Swift Scirroco's to 3380fps and 200gr A-Frames to 3225fps.
It replaced my 308 Norma Mag that I used for 20 years or so.
I am totally impressed with this rifle and the 300 RUM cartridge and highly recommend it to shooters that are used to and can handle shooting 7mm mags or 300 Win mag level recoil rifles.
It replaced my 308 Norma Mag that I used for 20 years or so.
I am totally impressed with this rifle and the 300 RUM cartridge and highly recommend it to shooters that are used to and can handle shooting 7mm mags or 300 Win mag level recoil rifles.
