195 EOL or 215 Hybrid

[Mike D Texas]

agreed. I'm happy with my .300 Winnie. If I ever do build a custom rig I'm going for broke and building a .30-33xc off Peterson xc brass. Dimensionally similar to Kirby Allen's .300 Raptor or Broz's .300 High Country Magnum from Long Range Only. Budget friendly option would be the single shot savage 112 magnum target action.

Because you're absolutely right. It's hard to meaningfully exceed the .300 win mag in a .30 cal without needing impractical long barrels, impractical overbore cases, and much much more expensive brass (no matter the case) and rifle builds (to say nothing of the powder budget nowadays). So if I'm gonna be spending an impractical sum on an impractically huge .30 cal I'm going all the way dang it!!! . No point in being "a little better" for so much more investment.

The .300 win will probably always be my favourite centerfire rifle for this exact reason. It's just so darn hard to beat PRACTICALLY. Ballistically, for versatility of application, for being semi-economical, for everyone who's anyone making good brass and rifles for it, and so on.

At present I own 6 centerfire rifles, a .243, .257 wby, 270 win, 300 win mag, 8x57 mauser, and .358 Norma. If, God forbid, I could only keep one it'd be the .300 with no hesitation.

Agreed. I went the 300 NMI route. I'm happy with it so far but after seeing a 30-338 LMI, I'm wishing I had just gone that route.

Go big or go home?

 

[Willys]

Throated 300 WSM out shoots them all ( world record 10 shots inside 3" at 1000) with adequate knockdown to 1000 ?

 

[Mike D Texas]

Throated 300 WSM out shoots them all with adequate knockdown to 1000 ?

 

[QuietTexan]

Just out of curiosity, why do some folks get hung up on the Lapua bolt face and receivers? I've seen it mention several times in various threads and I'm just curious.

It's just less versatile, fewer cases use it so more cost for fewer potential uses.

 

[Mike D Texas]

It's just less versatile, fewer cases use it so more cost for fewer potential uses.

Understandable. For me if I decide to move away from the Lapua BF I would sell everything and start over.

I'm already planning a 338 of some type to switch barrels on my Borden Bigfoot receiver to have 30 cal and 338 cal capabilities.

 

[Calvin45]

Agreed. I went the 300 NMI route. I'm happy with it so far but after seeing a 30-338 LMI, I'm wishing I had just gone that route.

Go big or go home?

Go big AND go home!

 

[7.62 Gunner]

Have you any experience with the 225 on bone \ shoulder past 500 yards ? Pretty messy inside 500 on the shoulder

Yeah I saw a bull take one center shoulder at 650 ish and it definitely made a mess but that bull didn't go anywhere.
After trying bonded bullets, monos etc, at long range, I'm at the point now where I want a bullet that seriously comes apart every single time.
At lower impact velocities this is the most important thing when selecting a bullet

 

[QuietTexan]

( world record 10 shots inside 3" at 1000)

I'm comfortable stating there's a little bit of difference between a NBSRA heavy gun and a hunting rifle

And that's coming from someone who has no issues with the 30" barrel part of the equation.

 

[Mark markegene]

I had a 28N and when it was time for a rebarrel I went with a 30N. When you get to that level of power to me it says elk, and to me it makes sense to shoot 200gr or more. There are just so many more bullet options in 30 cal.

Having said that, I have a 280 ackley that I love and that can also work fine for elk but the 30N is my primary elk gun. The 280AI is super versatile between 140 and 180 grain bullet weights while 30 cal is more versatile in 180+ grains.

The 28N was also super finicky and I would not buy another.

Have one sitting in safe Ilike my 300 way more shooting heavy bullets

 

[GetReel]

Have one sitting in safe Ilike my 300 way more shooting heavy bullets

Have a 28N sitting? What is it about the 300 you like more?

 

[HSmithTX]

I have found 28N to be quite easy to load for, my sample size is only two rifles but both have been very easy to load for with one exception. That exception is the LRAB bullet, it has been super fussy, but I blame that on the bullet as I have seen the same with anything I have tried to put them in.

 

[Willys]

To me makes sense to go smaller only if it helps you spot shots at say 500 yards. With best brake possible and 9# rifle incl scope can you spot shots with 20 power scope with 300 PRC and 225's? 28 Nosler and 195's? If I can't spot shots with those I may as well use my 338 LAI

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

Plan to use a big brake

Then there's no need to worry about recoil. I own 2 - 300 Rums and I'm 62 years old, not that that means anything. and I shoot them all the time, shot my Aztez today playing with new loads. A 30 Nos. would be my other choice then go down to 30 PRC. Go with a 30 if you want speed, go with a 33 if you want knock down power. Just my 2 c. Happy shooting.

 

[terry 338rum]

try a 300 or 338 rum with a good break. you never regret your choice