Another help me choose a rifle thread.

[Buck_Fever]

I have $2500 to spend and I have already decided on a .300 because I hunt Kansas whitetail up to 300 yard shots and I also want to hunt Elk and possibly Moose. So I really think the .300 is the gun for me.

However, I am undecided on the brand. I was all set to purchase a Kimber 8400 Classic in the .300 WM but I have seen several testimonials of people very unhappy with Kimber for various reasons including inaccuracy. I basically want to spend half my money on the gun and the other half on the scope. I am going with a Swarovski Habitch AV scope that runs about $1,100. I want to spend the other $1,000 or so on the gun and ammo. As much as I have hunted and killed deer, I really don't know much at all about guns. I have never loaded my own ammo and do not want to.

Any recommendations? I care most about accuracy. I don't care about gun weight or recoil. I can always get a brake, right?

Help. Should I go WSM or just stay with the WM? What brand?

[wtnhunt]

People unhappy with kimbers? Had not heard that before.

Dont know, maybe an A-bolt would be one that I would consider, that or an upper end model 700, dont think you could go wrong with either of those. On that budget, you would have a lot leftover for glass. Think the 300 wsm would be fine for moose, elk, and would certainly be ok for whitetails, in the 300's though looks like the 300 ultra mag outperforms the wsm in pretty well every aspect. Dont know how expensive the magnum ammo is in the 300's, but if that was a consideration of mine I would certainly look at availability and price differentials. Think honestly if it were me, I would likely not rule out a 30-06 either while looking. With the right load, will work even with moose, and ammo is not hard to find.

[Leo]

Go to Walmart. Buy a Weatherby Vanguard in 300WBY for about $400 guaranteed to shoot 1.5 MOA at 100yds with WBY ammo.

Then,

Go to these guys and buy a really nice laminated stock for it. $84

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/

[Buck_Fever]

All else being equal, what is more accurate a WSM, WM or WBY?

By the way, I don't have to spend all $2500. I'd rather save some of course. I'm just saying I have a pretty good budget to work with.

[ronin]

They are all three quite accurate with a good gun, shooter, and ammo. They differ in recoil, velocity and energy though not enough to make a difference for most game. Of the three, I like the WSM due to a shorter action though the 300 WSM is not a great performer over the 300 WM. Where I see the biggest positive change for the WSM's is with the 270 and maybe the 7mm. The 270 WSM is a burner with the new Winchester factory Elite Xp3's. Just dropped a mulie in it's tracks here in CA last week with it, though I'm sure I could have dropped it in it's tracks with a 243 or a 300 WM.

I also have a 1959 Weatherby MKV in the venerable 300 Weatherby Magnum. It shoots super tight groups and is a real long range killer but the recoil is pretty stout. I've never had a problem with recoil except on the bench.

I have kind of de-evolved to smaller/ faster cartridges with time. I believe I will really enjoy the 270 WSM as it gives me the extra umph my 243 wssm just can't give for bigger game.

I also like the Vanguard's as they are a lot of gun for the money. I like Savage and Browning A-bolts. The best gun at my shoulder is the A-bolt, the best trigger and out of the box accuracy was with my Savage's. My Weatherby is just a great all around gun.

[Leo]

All else being equal, what is more accurate a WSM, WM or WBY?

By the way, I don't have to spend all $2500. I'd rather save some of course. I'm just saying I have a pretty good budget to work with.

That's a campfire argument waiting to happen.

The WSM is a beltless magnum that headspaces off the shoulder. That little factoid by itself gives the WSM an accuracy advantage.

However, the gun is what launches the bullet accurately not the cartridge. And I hate to say it because I'm sure it will cause flames but in my experience Winchesters just don't have it. If you're in love with the 300WSM then go with a Browning with absolute confidence.

Bottomline, all three cartridges can be as accurate as each other out of the right rifle in hunting conditions. But for long range performance the Weatherby is the hands down winner. Just compare ballistics between the three.

I agree with Ronin, of the WSM family the 270WSM is probably tops. I do however think the bullet selection and flexibility for the 7mm WSM is superior.

If you want super accuracy, then you want a Cooper, Steyr or Sako. I don't think those are in the budget you described but you may get lucky and find a good deal. Cooper's do not come in magnum calibers and 300 Win Mag Steyr's are RARE!

[BR44]

My thoughts, 300 WSM should cover all 3 bases (deer, elk, and should moose). Pretty much the same energy as 300 mag, recoil like 30-06. It will reach out to 400yd easy. Make sure you put a decent scope on it also, and USE premium loads when hunting. Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK!!

[ronin]

It looks like CDNN may have the Styer Classic Half stock Mannlicher and the Prohunter both in 300 WM. I just checked the most recent catalog.

[Buck_Fever]

I went with a Weatherby Vanguard SUB-MOA .300 WSM. I was going to get the same gun in a .270 WSM but they convinced me to go with the .300 WSM. I hope I don't regret my decision. I got a good deal on the gun. $825 in stainless. The scope is a Swarovski AV 4-12x50 with TDS Plex. It was $1,099. So I spent under $2,000 total. I have not shot it yet. I plan to do so this coming weekend.

Any tips on break in? Ha, probably a whole other camp fire conversation.

[Leo]

I went with a Weatherby Vanguard SUB-MOA .300 WSM. I was going to get the same gun in a .270 WSM but they convinced me to go with the .300 WSM. I hope I don't regret my decision. I got a good deal on the gun. $825 in stainless. The scope is a Swarovski AV 4-12x50 with TDS Plex. It was $1,099. So I spent under $2,000 total. I have not shot it yet. I plan to do so this coming weekend.

Any tips on break in? Ha, probably a whole other camp fire conversation.

You did good

[Buck_Fever]

Hey just wanted to let ya'll know that I shot my new rifle and I absolutely love it! This is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned. Three shot group from 100 yards were all touching each other! Gun is sighted in and ready for rifle season this coming weekend. And it does NOT kick very hard at all! I was pleasantly surprised. I'm very happy with my decision. Thanks for the help guys.

[Shaun_300]

Awesome! I love my .300 WSM, I've got a .300 Win Mag too, the WSM actually has more velocity and energy than the win mag, but with less recoil and a short action cartridge. Definetly my favourite gun in my arsenal!!!!