[JimR]

Hi guys:
I am concidering getting a 300 wsm shortly, and I was wondering if I could get your opinions on what rifle manufacture that you prefer. I have been searching the internet, and been to Cabela's and various other stores such as Gander Mountain, nd Bass Pro, and it seems that their selections are very limited. Ofcourse I know that now is not the time when they would be sellin hunting rifles. Anyway I was concidering the Browning A bolt FLD. Do any of u guys have experience, or an opinion on this rifle? I have concidered the Remington XCR, the Winchester model 70 sporter, Tinka T3, and I kinda like the a bolt, even though I know that they will be fazing them out for the x bolt. Thanx in advanxce, Jim Reilly

 

[HOGGHEAD]

I have had 2, 300-WSM's. I really like the cartridge. The first one was a LH Browning Medallion with the wood stock. It was a very nice rifle and was also very accurate. I did not hunt much with it, but I still liked it. I let a friend talk me out of it. But I still had all the components.

Then I won one in a raffle. It was a Savage model 12FVSS. This was also a nice rifle, but the stock was pretty bad. I decided I wanted to keep the rifle but the stock had to go. I wanted to build a decent long range(out to 600 or 700 yards) deer rifle for a few fields that I hunt every year in WV, and MD. And I thought with this being a good heavy rifle, it would work great(even though it was a RH action). So I ordered a stock and a single shot follower for the rifle. It worked out very well. I ended up loading a Sierra 155 grain Palma bullet in the rifle. I know alot of guys do not think the Palma makes a good deer bullet. But I tell you that bullet knocks em down. I have shot a dozen deer with this rifle, and it has chilled them all. It also didn't hurt that I had 700 or 800 of them left over from shooting my Garand.

The longest shot so far being a touch over 500 yards. And with the heavy barrel it shoots very well in hunting conditions with a good rest. I also added the heavy LH thumb hole stock. I really like the rifle. It is a keeper that sees action every year. I would highly recommend the 300WSM cartridge.

The only problem with the cartridge is the price of factory ammo. If I depended on factory fodder I probably would not own the cartridge. Other than factory fodder price I like everything about the reloading features(so far) of the cartridge. although I will admit that I have probably only loaded about 300 rounds so far, and only reloaded some of the brass once. So it is still a learning curve. But I have 400 pieces of brass. So I should never run out. Or at least not until this barrel is shot out.

I did have to lap the barrel. I was getting a bit of heavy fouling until I lapped the barrel. But lapping solved that problem. The barrel was pretty rough inside from the factory. It seems that most are any more. I could get in six or seven good shots then it would foul. Now I am shooting 20 rounds without any real signs of fouling, and then I clean it. Normally about 20 rounds is a range session for me. I am pushing those 155's pretty hard with H-414.

All the rifles you mentioned are nice. I also like the Kimber Montana rifle. That would make a great carry rifle. I wish they made a lefty. Try them all and buy the one that fits you. If I was a righty I would also take a good look at the Winchester Model 70 FWT. I really like that rifle. I would really like to have one of those in a LH Super Grade. Tom.

 

[Blueeagle]

I have an A-BOLT with the boss on and it is a absolute tack driver. I put a trigger spring kit in it to get it where I wanted. Have shot out to 800 yds with great results.

 

[John Henry]

I have concidered the Remington XCR,....

Jim, plenty of fine guns on the market these days.

I have 2 XCR's. One in black/stainless in a 300 RUM, and an XCR RMEF (camo/stainless) in 30-06. Both are great shooters.

 

[wiktor]

I have one in a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather , that's what I'd recommend!

 

[JasonN]

I had and A-bolt Hunter in 300WSM. Great rifle, lightweight, safety where it's supposed to be, shot bolt lift and throw. It was also a great shooter with anything I put down the tube(only handloads, but it liked everything....not picky at all).

I only got rid of it because I found I didn't use it much at all. It was too pretty to push clearcuts with for bear and it was just too much power for whitetails though I did shoot a couple with it. Most of my hunting is under 50 yards and quite frankly it's just not necessary for that kind of hunting.

 

[JimR]

Thanks alot guys for all the great info. Hogghead, that gun you built looks great, its ashame you couldnt have gotten the left handed bolt as well. The Browning Hunter FLD has a monte carlo stock similar to yours, but without the thumbhole and the nice wood. It has a 23" barrel though and I wonder if that is long enough? Anyway, I am thinking about trading my .3006 Rem. ADL for it. Thanks again.

 

[brewyak]

my dad has a model 70 coyote light it is a sweet gun

 

[SMITTY 300 WSM]

I'm waiting on a Remington XCR II in 300 WSM to come in at Grices I called around and cant find one in 300 WSM

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Thanks alot guys for all the great info. Hogghead, that gun you built looks great, its ashame you couldnt have gotten the left handed bolt as well. The Browning Hunter FLD has a monte carlo stock similar to yours, but without the thumbhole and the nice wood. It has a 23" barrel though and I wonder if that is long enough? Anyway, I am thinking about trading my .3006 Rem. ADL for it. Thanks again.

Thank you. However being a RH action is not really a big deal. I put a follower in the rifle, and use it as a single shot only. I seat the bullet so long that it would not fit in the magazine. So I really do not mind it not being a repeater.

IMO what makes the rifle shoot so well is the stock. The barreled action is pretty accurate right out of the box. However the stock fits me like a glove. And it is pretty heavy(entire rig)-with the scope it is probably just over 11#. So it is very steady. and that, with a well fitting stock makes for a good, long range, accurate rig. Tom.

 

[katoom]

winchester mod 70 love it. shoot 400yrds all day. added a er shaw break. nice gun.

 

[big cow down 80]

i have it in a kimber and love it..

 

[w yote hunter]

I've got a Savage model 11, just took it to the range to check 0 and the 4 shots I put through it were a 1" group with 3 under 1/2" at 100yrds

 

[Bluesberry]

I just posted one at the classifieds..Winchester 70