Once again..new rifle, need some advice.

hunter-4-life

hunter-4-life

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Hey guys,
Once again, i'm shopping for a new rifle (just cause I want another one) and i'm a little torn about what to get.

Here are my caliber options:
-7mm rem mag
-.300 win mag
-.300 wsm
.300 wby mag

And rifle choices:
-Rem 700 SPS
-Savage 114 American Classic
-Weatherby Vanguard S2
-Tikka T3 Lite


I know if i go with a .300 wby mag I need the S2. My concern is recoil, i'm not scared of it, but i like to go and shoot a fair bit and practice, so i dont want to bugger my shoulder by practicing. My main use will be for whitetail deer, mule deer and the odd (every 3-4 years) elk,bear,moose. Shots will be from 0-400 yards, but eventually id like to get into some longer ranges (500-700 yards)
Also is the WBY mag even worth it? I will be getting my neighbour to handload whatever I buy so i know i can load them a little bit lighter for lighter recoil and itll be way cheaper then factory ammo.
So give me your rifle/caliber recommendation and why cause I have been reading to much and don't know what to think anymore.
 
Of the rifles/calibers you list, my first choices would be as follows:

1. Tikka T3 in 300 Win Mag. Contrary to what many believe, the WSM is NOT the cartridge that the 300 Win Mag is. With new data, it's anywhere from 100-200 fps ahead of the WSM, and only 50-60 fps behind the Weatherby (unless you are buying Weatherby ammo, which is loaded to the gills and very difficult to match reloading).

2. Vanguard S2 in 300 Weatherby. The WSM will never even get close.

Having owned numerous 300 Win Mag / WSM / Weatherby, I'd ignore the 7 Mag (and yes, I've owned several of those, and still own one) - IME there is quite a difference on game between a 7 Mag and the 300's.
 
Whats the .300 wby like for recoil? Ive shot a .300 SAUM and had 0 problem with it. I just dont want to bugger shoulder when practicing, i will defiantly be putting a limbsaver on whatever i buy unless its a 7mm or a heavy .300
 
I had a rem 700 in 300 Wby and it was a great gun, the rounds were pricey compared to a 300 win mag and only a little extra performance shooting factory ammo. There is a nice variety of components available in the .30's so you can go lighter or heavier depending on what your gun likes and what you are hunting . Mine shot really well with 180 and 220 grain bullets .
 
I agree with Jaycee - T3 300winmag stainless.
Nice light carry , accurate , I've had one for years with no complaints
 
I have a Rem 700 in 300WM and as others have mentioned it gives little up to the Weatherby, Try shouldering a few rifles and see what fells best to you, if recoil is an issue then I would try to avoid light rifles as they produce a bigger snap. Next week I hope to collect another elk with my 300, a job I believe it is well suited for.
 
My Dad has had a T3 Synthetic Stainless in 300 WSM since Tikka brought them out. I'm not recoil shy by-any-means, but i think this Cal, in a wood/laminate stock to help soak up some recoil would benefit nicely. Certainly would make this a more "bench-friendly" gun for me at any rate. It's light & accurate, but I'm not truly convinced on the WSM over the WM in terms of performance & longevity.

I'm trying to convince him to trade down to a Tikka T3 Laminate SS in .300Win. The weight difference between the Synthetic & Laminate is negligible for carrying purposes into watches/posts for me, but I like the look and feel of a wood stock personally.

As stated & personal opinion is you really don't gain much by the whole WSM phenom, other then a shorter barrel life with the extra powder & cup pressure involved.

So, Tikka T3 Laminate .300WM is my vote
 
ShrtRnd has a good point about the "lightness" of the T3's synthetic stock - the T3 I would also go with is the stainless laminated. And get an extra magazine - Murphy is alive and well.
 
I've got a major love for 7mm's. A 7mm rem mag or 7 08 are two very accurate rounds. They can take anything that runs around in Canada.

As for rifles I really like the weatherby S2's absolutely the best gun for the money.

Please note this is only ones mans humble opinion. I have been pulling triggers for 40 years and have tried many guns of all types of calibers and I always come back to my 7mm's. For me they have always been the most accurate. And as for game knock down power a 7mm rem mag with a 175 gr peer mag tip bullet does just fine
 
I'd look for a used 300WM instead of buying new. The EE is full M70 and M700s these days at very good prices. The WM does give up nothing to most other 300s and very little to the Weatherby. Brass and ammo is cheap and easy to find with tons of loading data available. It may not be the newest/coolest one out there, but it would lack for nothing.

The same could be said about a used 7Mag.
 
One thing for sure is that a 7mm mag will have significantly less recoil than the various 300s. For myself, I'd look for a 7 mag, and not too light to help with the recoil. A 7mm mag running something like a 160 partition covers an awful lot of ground!
 
SuperCub said:
I'd look for a used 300WM instead of buying new. The EE is full M70 and M700s these days at very good prices. The WM does give up nothing to most other 300s and very little to the Weatherby. Brass and ammo is cheap and easy to find with tons of loading data available. It may not be the newest/coolest one out there, but it would lack for nothing.

The same could be said about a used 7Mag.
Click to expand...

Same. I would park my keester in the EE. Refresh often - the good stuff goes fast.
 
hunter-4-life said:
. My main use will be for whitetail deer, mule deer and the odd (every 3-4 years) elk,bear,moose. Shots will be from 0-400 yards, but eventually id like to get into some longer ranges (500-700 yards)
Click to expand...
Given your main use will be for deer, I'd go with the std Rem 7Mag. Reduced recoil and it's a bit better suited for deer with the option for heavier bullets for the occasional moose being the main reason for this suggestion.
 
Without knowing what you already have and how you handle the recoil they generate, the suggestions are somewhat based on person choice.
All my rifles are 700's and I would not switch to something else based on my preference to familiarity.
I have a Remington 700 Sendero in 300 WM and at 11 pounds it generates considerable recoil.
You set your guidelines for distance as 400 with a future interest in 700??
Perhaps trying the rifles of friends might help you in narrowing the scope of your search.
 
For me I'd go with a Tikka T3 or Battue and add a nice recoil pad if the stock one isn't enough.

7-08 would be my first choice but since you didn't list it then 300 win mag is my other choice.

I have no problem with 30-06 and have had my shoulder conditioned with the Mosin and it's metal buttplate. But I tried a 300 wbm once... I found the recoil brutal in a light bolt rifle.
 
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horseman2 said:
Without knowing what you already have and how you handle the recoil they generate, the suggestions are somewhat based on person choice.
All my rifles are 700's and I would not switch to something else based on my preference to familiarity.
I have a Remington 700 Sendero in 300 WM and at 11 pounds it generates considerable recoil.
You set your guidelines for distance as 400 with a future interest in 700??
Perhaps trying the rifles of friends might help you in narrowing the scope of your search.
Click to expand...

I have a .243, 270 and 12 ga right now. But I have shot a 7mm and a .300 rem SAUM, both with no problem. And the SAUM weighed in at 6.35 pounds with a scope. I shot it 5 times and called er quits, but once again it was a super light mountain rifle.
 
I have a tikka hunter stainless 7 mm and a t3 hunter 300mag both very good gun but i give the advantage to the 300mag since the 180gr has the same drop as a 7mm 154gr
The only thing that 300 mag will ruin quite a bit of meat on a deer but perfect for moose, I also had a sako bavarian in 300wsm and ended up selling it because my way cheaper t3 300mag was outshooting it badly ,Really love those t3 Plastic mags look cheap but they sure are tough , just my 2 cents
 
Going back over your list, I noticed most are synthetic stocks. Is overall weight a concern/prerequisite?
 
Good thing you didn't have more choices, everyone thinks there's is best :). I have hade a couple 300 wins and 2 7mm mags. I have a Rem sps heavy barrel and it shoots great (in 243). I've shot the others. My order is Rem 300win, Vangard 2 in 300 win, Savage in 300 win. (I like the model 10), and a pass on the T 3 light. I find the Tikka kicks the snot out of me in the higher cal. I have to qualify I only tried it in 7mm & 338. Did not enjoy. Try a few at the store & see what feels right. Some fit better they will all shoot minute of deer out to 500yds. Just a side note, I've never found the 300 to kick to much. Good luck. Aj
 
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