G19Jeeper
Well-Known Member
I have a dilemma, not a real one but one in my head and you know how that goes. I have two very similar rifles built on the same lightweight concept but in different calibers. If a guy HAD to choose one OR the other, which should it be?
1. Kimber Montana .280 AI with LHT 3-15x42 shooting 140 gr Nosler at 3068 fps (both BT and Accubond). This yields 1544 ft lbs at 450 yds. Weighs right at 7 lbs scoped with full magazine and is very well balanced.
2. Bergara B14 Premier Mountain .300 Win Mag shooting 180 gr Accubonds that yield about 1800 Ft lbs at 450 yards given a 2950 fps start velocity. Weight is about 7.5 lbs scoped and loaded.
My question is, for any game in America one may potentially hunt (excluding moose and big bears), would one be undergunned keeping one over the other? For the record, I am better at shooting and feel more comfortable on the 280AI with a brake than the 300 without a brake. I have two 9.3x62s for big mean stuff but want the infamous "all around gun". This is of course fantasizing about future hunts, I do not regularly hunt big game and have not hunted out west yet. My dream is a moose hunt but that's a few years out.
Pics added cause that's too many words to grab someone's attention. T to B: Sako 75 9.3x62 in McMillan stock, now wears a Zeiss Diavari 1.5-6; Ruger 77 Hawkeye Lipseys 9.3x62mm with Razor LH 1.5-8; Kimber Montana .280AI LHT 3-15x42; Bergara Premier Mountain 300 WM Vortex LH 3-15x42 and a Marlin SBL 4570
1. Kimber Montana .280 AI with LHT 3-15x42 shooting 140 gr Nosler at 3068 fps (both BT and Accubond). This yields 1544 ft lbs at 450 yds. Weighs right at 7 lbs scoped with full magazine and is very well balanced.
2. Bergara B14 Premier Mountain .300 Win Mag shooting 180 gr Accubonds that yield about 1800 Ft lbs at 450 yards given a 2950 fps start velocity. Weight is about 7.5 lbs scoped and loaded.
My question is, for any game in America one may potentially hunt (excluding moose and big bears), would one be undergunned keeping one over the other? For the record, I am better at shooting and feel more comfortable on the 280AI with a brake than the 300 without a brake. I have two 9.3x62s for big mean stuff but want the infamous "all around gun". This is of course fantasizing about future hunts, I do not regularly hunt big game and have not hunted out west yet. My dream is a moose hunt but that's a few years out.
Pics added cause that's too many words to grab someone's attention. T to B: Sako 75 9.3x62 in McMillan stock, now wears a Zeiss Diavari 1.5-6; Ruger 77 Hawkeye Lipseys 9.3x62mm with Razor LH 1.5-8; Kimber Montana .280AI LHT 3-15x42; Bergara Premier Mountain 300 WM Vortex LH 3-15x42 and a Marlin SBL 4570
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