300 vs 308

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MERV B

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I am looking into buying a bolt action rifle for a little longer range. Debating between a 300 and a 308 .What would make one better than the other and cheaper to use(don't mind spending extra money if it is worth it). Not looking for a top of the line , just looking for a good made reliable rifle at a decent price. Any input ?

I am leaning towards a .308. I am new at this and figure 900-1000 yards or is this out the question. I don't reload yet, but would like to get into this is wondering who make a good (starter) rifle at a descend price
 
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There are a pile of 300 cartridges

.300-221
.300 AAC Blackout.
300 ICL Grizzly.
300 Lapua Magnum.
300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum.
300 Rook.
300 Ruger Compact Magnum.
300 Savage.
300 Sherwood.
300 Weatherby Magnum.
300 Whisper.
300 Winchester Magnum.
300 Winchester Short Magnum.
300 Remington Ultra Magnum.
300 H&H Magnum.
300 Norma Magnum..
 
MERV B said:
I am looking into buying a bolt action rifle for a little longer range. Debating between a 300 and a 308 .What would make one better than the other and cheaper to use(don't mind spending extra money if it is worth it). Not looking for a top of the line , just looking for a good made reliable rifle at a decent price. Any input ?
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Long range - 300 Win Mag for me.

Prices will be similar to 308, but you will get more "bang" for your buck.

"The 300 has a better trajectory than the 308, even a more improved speed. An improved trajectory is needed especially for long range shooting. While the 308 and the 300 Win Mag will both do well when shooting within 200 yards, the 300 excels better when the range goes further."
 
OP, very open ended question, without any real input from your end. Your question isn't really answerable.

Your first consideration should be how much recoil you can tolerate from the prone position or from the bench position. These two positions make for the most felt recoil.

Recoil intolerance is a long range shooter's worst enemy as it develops anticipation and flinch.

Both of the cartridges you mention are proven long range competitors out past 1000 yards. If you learn how to shoot either of them well at such ranges, one doesn't have that much to offer over the other on paper targets.
 
mtstef said:
Long range - 300 Win Mag for me.

Prices will be similar to 308, but you will get more "bang" for your buck.

"The 300 has a better trajectory than the 308, even a more improved speed. An improved trajectory is needed especially for long range shooting. While the 308 and the 300 Win Mag will both do well when shooting within 200 yards, the 300 excels better when the range goes further."
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Ammo prices sure as hell won't be. That said, how much is .300 if you reload?
 
MERV B said:
I am looking into buying a bolt action rifle for a little longer range. Debating between a 300 and a 308 .What would make one better than the other and cheaper to use(don't mind spending extra money if it is worth it). Not looking for a top of the line , just looking for a good made reliable rifle at a decent price. Any input ?
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I personally would go with 6.5
 
MERV B said:
I am looking into buying a bolt action rifle for a little longer range. Debating between a 300 and a 308 .What would make one better than the other and cheaper to use(don't mind spending extra money if it is worth it). Not looking for a top of the line , just looking for a good made reliable rifle at a decent price. Any input ?
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The only 300 worth owning an shooting is a 300 ! d:h: RJ
 
I assume you mean 300 win mag or 308 winchester.
As others have mentioned, your question is a bit vague.
I'd skip the 300wm for the 300wsm.
308 makes the most sense, easy to load, lots of good brass options, not so much recoil (easier to shoot), doesn't go through barrels quite as fast. Loaded ammunition is less expensive. Uses a short action, and a std bolt face.
I shoot a 300wm, not a 308.
 
I can shoot a 300 Magnum all day and not be bothered by recoil. But if I was only shooting at targets at ranges to 1000 yards or so, I would pick a 308, or even better a 6.5 Creed
 
I’m going to post a direct quote from Rob Furlong, but the part about rarely meeting anybody that has mastered the .308 I ave heard from numerous long rang shooters/instructors.

Rifle: Stick with .308 as long as you can, as this is the most popular and cost affective training platform. Once you mastered the .308 (shooting targets consistently out to ranges of 800-900m), then think about moving onto your next rifle (maybe .300 win mag). Remember that the larger the calibre, the more expensive it is going to be to train. Ya it's cool to own a .50cal, but if you only shoot 50-100rds a year then really you have tied up $7500 - $10000 worth of training that you could have put to better use. It's rare that I meet someone who has mastered .308, but yet they own .338 lapua, and .50 cal rifles.
 
MERV B said:
I am looking into buying a bolt action rifle for a little longer range. Debating between a 300 and a 308 .What would make one better than the other and cheaper to use(don't mind spending extra money if it is worth it). Not looking for a top of the line , just looking for a good made reliable rifle at a decent price. Any input ?
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I don't mean to be condescending or rude but this requires a lot of questions and explanations.

Merv B.
For what are you using this said bolt action rifle for and at what distance are you referring to.
 
In his book, Kyle said, “I used the .300 Win Mag for most of my kills. It’s an excellent all-around cartridge, whose performance allows for superb accuracy as well as stopping power. The .300 is a little heavier gun by design. It shoots like a laser. Anything from 1,000 yards and out, you’re just plain nailing it. And on closer targets, you don’t have to worry about too much correction for your come-ups. You can dial in your 500 yard dope and still hit a target from 100-700 yards without worrying too much about making minute adjustments.”
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https://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/01/17/american-sniper-chris-kyle-rifles/

Good enough for Chris Kyle....

I bought my Rem 700 bdl in 300 win mag in the early 80's and have been pleased with my purchase.
I was hunting deer, usually not past 400 yards but I dropped a couple past that.

I go along with Rob Furlongs advice but gotta say you can close that ammo price gap a lot by reloading.
I loaded Speer 150 grain spbts to 3300fps and no deer took a step after being shot.
 
I don't reload yet....still new at this and I figure 900- 1000 yard ... leaning towards a 308 or is this out of the question
 
Lots to learn in that range. It's not just point and shoot. Learn with a 308 and figure out the wind. Can hit with surplus ammo a long ways if you can figure out drift

Hunting is a different story, not a good scenario going further than what skills are
 
MERV B said:
I don't reload yet....still new at this and I figure 900- 1000 yard ... leaning towards a 308 or is this out of the question
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Not out of the question, since everyone owns at least one 308, however there are some "better" cartridges out there, that will get you to 1000, and further if you want. 6.5 & 300 PRC are a couple of "new kids" on the block with lots of potential, however in the case of 6.5, the "candle that burns twice as bright, burns have as long" what does that mean? it can mean shorten barrel life?.

If your a "buy once cry once" consumer? then the other cartridges may be an option & worth considering? Good Luck.
 
Any suggestion on a maker of a .308 bolt action for a newbie that is a decent at a good price.
 
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