.300 Remington Ultra Mag shooters?

[dyeager535]

Hello all!

So I'm looking for peoples opinions formed after shooting this round.

I have a few criteria, but am realizing that this rounds accuracy potential might be a bit hampered based on bullets available. I reload, so the $50/box cost of the factory rounds isn't scaring me off.

Those that shoot or have shot heavier loads in this round, what do you think of recoil versus something popular like a 30-06? I shoot a .303 Lee-enfield now, and realize it's recoil isn't close to what the .300RM is likely to exhibit. (I don't have any problems with the .303, and FEEL that I could handle quite a bit more) What kind and/or weight of gun was it? Trying to figure out if the lightweight rifles being turned out now would be too painful to shoot.

This rifle would be mainly an elk hunting gun, but I'm starting to enjoy informal long distance shooting. I see that my choices for 200-240 grain bullets are pretty good when talking non-hunting, but are pretty weak in bullets designed for hunting, at least what I could find. Which is problematic because that would mean a compromise in rifling. The ballistics of the 220-240 grain bullets make the lighter bullets or any of the hunting bullets that I found look like very poor choices.

I'm thinking the Remington 700 action would be a natural choice, since it's the round they apparently designed it around. (it's the longest that will fit) But I'm not really dead set on that action. I've been screwing around with a Rem 700 in .35 Whelen, and they didn't think that caliber in that gun out very well. Based on how that gun was designed/put together, I'd need to have a 'smith put my choice of parts together instead of buying a complete rifle, at least from Remington.

Any sort of experience with this caliber would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[kdyson]

I have been shooting the 300 rum for two years now. I also handload for it. There is many 200 grain hunting bullets to choose from that work very well. unlike many of the newer cartridges on the market I think the 300 rum has the ability to be improved by handloading compared to factory loads. A frames are probably the best with the north forks going out of business. grand slams, accubonds, and barnes all are good bullets.
The recoil is stout off the shooting bench no doubt about it. I can usually shoot 40 rounds through my 06 before getting annoyed. Ten rounds is good for me with the 300 rum.
I did load some sierra gamekings in 200 gr that group at 2.5" at 400 yds. Not the best bullet for penetration on elk but they doe shoot good! 3100 fps with h1000 no signs of pressure.

[Midas]

I've shot the .300 RUM, recoil is about like a .338 Win mag. If you want my honest opinion of the .300 RUM, I think that it is nothing more than a barrel burner, which does absolutely nothing that a .300 Win Mag won't do. The .300 RUM I shot was a Remington 700 SPS, which weighed in at about 8.5 lbs with a scope and bi-pod.

[kdyson]

Midas
You can take that one step further then by saying the 300 win does nothing a 30-06 can't do. each one has about the same performance gain over the other. Yes the 300 rum is a barrel burner. 1000 to 1200 rounds but for hunting this should be many years of reliable service.

[samuel]

If it is true that one cartridge doesnt do more than another,why dont we stick with the ol' .30-30 ?If recoil is a big concern,the rum is not for you. sam.

[dyeager535]

Thanks for the replies folks!

I'm really disappointed that there are no hunting bullets out there that are in the 220-240 range. That's where this cartridge has the potential for accuracy/killing over long distances that others don't, but the only options seem to be match bullets in that weight range. The same problem exists with the .35 Whelen in the 700's I've found, the bullets the cartridge is capable of shooting are in the 250 grain range, but the rifling was designed more around the 200 grain range, which means people are happy with 2" at 100yds. Not to mention the freebore, even the 250 grain bullets don't get anywhere near the rifling, seated as far out as possible.

kdyson, what gun are you shooting? I assume it's a 700? How is it for handloading, in regards to OAL? Is the freebore as bad as I've found the .35 to be? I know the magazine is going to be a limiting factor on OAL.

I don't claim to be an expert in accuracy, but the longer, heavier bullets the 300RUM is capable of pushing, in regards to performance, far exceed what the smaller .30 cal rounds can do, and it would be a lot easier to have one bullet weight/design to load that can both be accurate at longer ranges, and still kill. Something along the lines of a 220gr Ballistic Tip...which I don't see any of, yet.

[300rumshooter]

Ok so I understand the opinions of people here but I also disagree whole heartedly with many. The 300 rum is a fantastic cartridge with alot of potential. I have had three based on the savage 110 action and one 338 edge (300 rum necked up to 338) The accuracy is fantastic on each and with a proper muzzle break and pad installed the recoil isn't more brutal than a 308.

As for the comment I saw about lack of bullet ... are you crazy? it uses any bullet that a 308 will use up to and including a 240gr smk

My personal favorite and what you will usually find me shooting are 208gr hornady amax. These bullets are exquisite.

As for potential just adding a few grains in bullet weight and being able to sustain the same velocity with the additional weight downrange drastically increases the energy delivered to the target as well as your resistance to wind.

to be fair and just show and example of coefficient we will just use amaxs of different weight

.308" 150 gr. 0.435
.308" 168 gr. 0.475
.308 208 gr. 0.648

These bullets all have roughly the same profile so the only reason for
the significantly higher coefficient is the additional weight. It keeps the thing
headed in the right direction so to speak ... so when you shoot it out of
a 300 rum at roughly 2900-3000fps at the muzzle (I know it will go faster if you push it but we're sustaining accuracy) vs a 155 gr projectile at roughly the same speed from a .308 you have really gained something down range.

the heavier bullet will fly straighter farther and carry more energy to do damage when it gets there.

and dont get me started on what you can do with lighter bullets in this caliber in the rum

[samuel]

Thanks.Thats intresting.Welcome.Post more. sam.

[thebigitch62]

I also shoot the .300 RUM I love this round. I have a model 700 sendero with a muzzle break. I'm having a new one built as I type this. the new one has an H&S stock and krieger barrel. all machine work to be within .0002. my smith says I should be able to shoot crows out past 600 yards. and that I as the shooter will be the limiting factor. the RUM has about 27% more energy at the muzzle than a .300 win mag. as for it being a barrel burner well when 1 shot equals 1 dead dear or elk. I figure at 1200 shots I'll be about 650 years old and maybe to frail at that point to shot my .300 RUM any more.

[Midas]

Originally Posted by thebigitch62

I also shoot the .300 RUM I love this round. I have a model 700 sendero with a muzzle break. I'm having a new one built as I type this. the new one has an H&S stock and krieger barrel. all machine work to be within .0002. my smith says I should be able to shoot crows out past 600 yards. and that I as the shooter will be the limiting factor. the RUM has about 27% more energy at the muzzle than a .300 win mag. as for it being a barrel burner well when 1 shot equals 1 dead dear or elk. I figure at 1200 shots I'll be about 650 years old and maybe to frail at that point to shot my .300 RUM any more.

This is the kind of attitude that gets big game wounded, how often do you practice 400+ yard shots? enough to ensure a one shot kill every time? just because you have a thunder stick, doesn't give you the right to be taking shots at animals, at ranges that exceed your skill level.

[samuel]

To me,when I hear all of this long range talk I think:Thats the difference between a shooter and a hunter.Shooters like to tell about a kill at long range and never tell about all of the missed shots.To me it is much easier to get close,make sure the game is what I want,and take the shot so rediculously close that I couldnt fail no matter what I was using,short of a pellet rifle.Long range shots are easy to find,but shorter range is what really works.There are many out there that can say they have made longer range shots than I have,but few that have brought home as much game per shot than me.On the range I am a shooter,in the field I am a hunter. sam.

[Aaronb2245]

Originally Posted by kdyson

Midas
You can take that one step further then by saying the 300 win does nothing a 30-06 can't do. each one has about the same performance gain over the other. Yes the 300 rum is a barrel burner. 1000 to 1200 rounds but for hunting this should be many years of reliable service.

Um yea then you could also say that 308 does nothing a 30-06 can't do....

Now look at that performance gap...heh
I'm with Sam..Aaron

[300rumshooter]

Originally Posted by Midas

This is the kind of attitude that gets big game wounded, how often do you practice 400+ yard shots? enough to ensure a one shot kill every time? just because you have a thunder stick, doesn't give you the right to be taking shots at animals, at ranges that exceed your skill level.

There are alot more of us that live where the land is flat and our field of view is only limited by the curvature of the earth than you think. There are NO trees and hundreds of miles of open field. This view is also made further by a slight elevation change over a number of miles.

The point is that alot of people that live in the midwest have plenty of trigger time shooting things at very long range. It's not unusual when it's warm to see a whole row of shooting mats and rifles laying in a field here.

Making consistent clean shots out to 400-600-1000 yards is not terribly difficult.

I make 1 shot kills on prairie dogs and coyotes at these ranges regularly and they are much smaller than the kill zone on an elk. I'll admit that for zippy little prairie dogs I miss 1 for every 4 that I shoot but it's not the guns fault the little suckers can be underground in milliseconds.

The important is thing is to have

-A load that performs consistently in your gun, has been chrono'd so you have the numbers to compute and delivers enough energy over the range of the shot.
-A good laser range finder
-A good device for accurately measuring wind speed
-Either an electronic means or a well laid out table that you carry with you listing bullet drop/wind drift for your load incrementally up to the maximum range you intend to shoot.

This is a science NOT an art. Making clean shots like this isn't magical or mythical or even worthy of bragging rights. It's not even that hard with the proper tools and information to measure and accurately compensate for bullet drop and wind drift and the ability to hold still

The real question though is a bit different .. who the hell wants to shoot something and go more than half a mile and back to retrieve it.

[Midas]

Originally Posted by 300rumshooter

There are alot more of us that live where the land is flat and our field of view is only limited by the curvature of the earth than you think. There are NO trees and hundreds of miles of open field. This view is also made further by a slight elevation change over a number of miles.

The point is that alot of people that live in the midwest have plenty of trigger time shooting things at very long range. It's not unusual when it's warm to see a whole row of shooting mats and rifles laying in a field here.

Making consistent clean shots out to 400-600-1000 yards is not terribly difficult.

I make 1 shot kills on prairie dogs and coyotes at these ranges regularly and they are much smaller than the kill zone on an elk. I'll admit that for zippy little prairie dogs I miss 1 for every 4 that I shoot but it's not the guns fault the little suckers can be underground in milliseconds.

The important is thing is to have

-A load that performs consistently in your gun, has been chrono'd so you have the numbers to compute and delivers enough energy over the range of the shot.
-A good laser range finder
-A good device for accurately measuring wind speed
-Either an electronic means or a well laid out table that you carry with you listing bullet drop/wind drift for your load incrementally up to the maximum range you intend to shoot.

This is a science NOT an art. Making clean shots like this isn't magical or mythical or even worthy of bragging rights. It's not even that hard with the proper tools and information to measure and accurately compensate for bullet drop and wind drift and the ability to hold still

The real question though is a bit different .. who the hell wants to shoot something and go more than half a mile and back to retrieve it.

Not exactly what I was talking about, I am just saying, getting a .300 RUM, doesn't give you the right to go out and blast animals at 1000 yards, without the proper know how.

[telkev]

Back to the original question, the recoil of the 300RUM will be heavy compared to the 06, especially with heavy bullets. As for long range target shooting, informal or not, a sporter weight barrel is going to heat up fast, shortening barrel life even further, and will probably not give the performance that you are expecting on the target range. Therefore, I would suggest at least a varmit contour barrel as long as you can get it. And a brake, if you are going to shoot it a lot. Having the rifle built will give you the advantage of having the throat cut to what bullet you are wanting to shoot.
That all being said, I would suggest you pick a different rifle for long range target shooting and practicing, unless you already have one. Practice a lot, the rifle may be capable of making the shot, but you are the one that has to make the adjustments, it doesn't do it for you. I practice out to 800 yards 3-4 times a month, but I know my limit to making a clean kill is about half that. Most of my hunting situations do not allow me time to range distance, adjust scope, etc. , so I don't feel comfortable shooting much past 400.
If you are dead set on shooting something around a 240 gr. bullet, get a 338.

[Onesonek]

Originally Posted by dyeager535

Thanks for the replies folks!
I'm really disappointed that there are no hunting bullets out there that are in the 220-240 range. That's where this cartridge has the potential for accuracy/killing over long distances that others don't, but the only options seem to be match bullets in that weight range. The same problem exists with the .35 Whelen in the 700's I've found, the bullets the cartridge is capable of shooting are in the 250 grain range, but the rifling was designed more around the 200 grain range, which means people are happy with 2" at 100yds. Not to mention the freebore, even the 250 grain bullets don't get anywhere near the rifling, seated as far out as possible.
kdyson, what gun are you shooting? I assume it's a 700? How is it for handloading, in regards to OAL? Is the freebore as bad as I've found the .35 to be? I know the magazine is going to be a limiting factor on OAL.
I don't claim to be an expert in accuracy, but the longer, heavier bullets the 300RUM is capable of pushing, in regards to performance, far exceed what the smaller .30 cal rounds can do, and it would be a lot easier to have one bullet weight/design to load that can both be accurate at longer ranges, and still kill. Something along the lines of a 220gr Ballistic Tip...which I don't see any of, yet.

What is your Whelen twisted at? If it's shooting 2" with the 200 it's inherent accuracry isn't the greatest to begin with. The freebore may be a big part of that. But generally speaking , if the freebore is cut correctly, it shouldn't affect accuracy. Each to their own, but I believe there is a difference between hunting and shooting. 2moa is very acceptable hunting accuracy, if you are willing to hunt within the capabilities.
As for the rest, What or how much range do you need?
I enjoy or love shooting long range, but I'm still a proponent of hunting big game to within any given rigs point blank range or closer.
Shooting beyond this to the extremes of the cartridges potential, such as the RUM requires lots of practice and skill at reading the wind and estimating the range. A mis-read on a Prairie Dog means a miss,,,no big deal they will be therre for my adjustment. That same mis-read on an Elk or Deer, is very likely a wounding shot.
Use the Nosler 180g. E-tip or Barnes 180gr. MRX and hunt within your personal capabilities not the RUM's capability and either of thos 2 bullets will do just fine for Deer or Elk.
Dave

Originally Posted by thebigitch62

I also shoot the .300 RUM I love this round. I have a model 700 sendero with a muzzle break. I'm having a new one built as I type this. the new one has an H&S stock and krieger barrel. all machine work to be within .0002. my smith says I should be able to shoot crows out past 600 yards. and that I as the shooter will be the limiting factor. the RUM has about 27% more energy at the muzzle than a .300 win mag. as for it being a barrel burner well when 1 shot equals 1 dead dear or elk. I figure at 1200 shots I'll be about 650 years old and maybe to frail at that point to shot my .300 RUM any more.

What your smith says is probably right on range, and more so on limiting factor. If 1200 rounds last you that long, you arent shooting near enough to shoot anywhere close to 600 with any consistancy.
Those that shoot 3-5 rounds at 25 yds b4 hunting season to check scope zero from last year, then go shooting at a big game beyond 50 yds always has me scratching my head. That barrel would last me no longer than 6 years and likely closer to 3 or 4 years. Very seldom do I shoot any less than 300 rounds through my biggame guns in a given off season. And some of my long range rigs/barrels barely make it one year before replacement. If you can afford to feed the Rum for what it takes for long accuracy, by all means have fun,,,,but do it. 20 rnds a week to keep in practice and your skills polished, for the kind of ranges some are thinking on, isn't any too many and more would be better, many more.
Dave

[Aaronb2245]

Originally Posted by telkev

Back to the original question, the recoil of the 300RUM will be heavy compared to the 06, especially with heavy bullets. As for long range target shooting, informal or not, a sporter weight barrel is going to heat up fast, shortening barrel life even further, and will probably not give the performance that you are expecting on the target range. Therefore, I would suggest at least a varmit contour barrel as long as you can get it. And a brake, if you are going to shoot it a lot. Having the rifle built will give you the advantage of having the throat cut to what bullet you are wanting to shoot.
That all being said, I would suggest you pick a different rifle for long range target shooting and practicing, unless you already have one. Practice a lot, the rifle may be capable of making the shot, but you are the one that has to make the adjustments, it doesn't do it for you. I practice out to 800 yards 3-4 times a month, but I know my limit to making a clean kill is about half that. Most of my hunting situations do not allow me time to range distance, adjust scope, etc. , so I don't feel comfortable shooting much past 400.
If you are dead set on shooting something around a 240 gr. bullet, get a 338.

What in the world are you ppl hunting that requires a bullet in the 240gr range. Good lord! I hunt hog/deer and will hunt elk/moose at some point, yet even then I don't see a need for a 240gr round to accomplish this. Heck a 180gr is plenty for the last two. Also why do ppl think they need to shoot deer with a 180gr rounds??? I mean seriously my 95-100gr 243 does the job fantastically (to 300 yards). My 30-06 does the job much farther.....

The only purpose I can see use for a 240 grain round is BIG bear or other BIG dangerous game. If you really need a magnum IMO the 300 win mag is plenty unless you live in Africa or hunt there regularly. I for one sure as hell am not going to spend any time at the range with a 300 RUM practicing away. Heck even with a 300win mag I'd only probably sight it in and test it out before I headed out on a hunt.

My final grip about magnums is this.....ppl buy them for long range shooting is what they say right, "flatter shooter more energy blah blah blah". So I will now point out this >> how many of you can judge distance at long ranges in the field? Ok well I will say I think no one here can judge distances by 50 yard increments at long distance, and that's what it takes to make drop adjustments once the round starts getting way out there. Ok so the mag owner says "well the mag gives me more room for error". Well I say not enough to make a difference if you are shooting a target at 400+ yards. SOOOOOOOoooooo my point is you need a laser range finder to shoot long range period (or are super pro with mil dot) THEREFORE you need to know the drop for your caliber meaning you will be making scope adjustments regardless of what caliber you shoot. Meaning the flatter trajectory provided by a magnum really doesnt give you THAT much more of an edge. At shorter ranges yea perhaps it does help, but the difference at close ranges is only marginal. People have been killing game and people at 1000 yards for along time without all this ultra mag / mag trash that ppl think they have to have now. Don't get me wrong I think mags are pretty neat, but there not a giant leap in technology like some ppl seem to believe. What are the gun companies going to be feeding us next? Wait I can see it now the new 300 Super Uber mag aka the 300 SUM rofl 3800fps with a 180gr round Woohooo now I can kill that big <whatever> I never thought I'd have a chance at until the 300 SUM came along. OW and don't forget only 24 inch drop at 600 yards and B.C's of .875 with laser guided rounds so I don't even have to judge distance or make adjustments. Now THAT"s a flat shooter! ROFL

[telkev]

Originally Posted by Aaronb2245

What in the world are you ppl hunting that requires a bullet in the 240gr range. Good lord! I hunt hog/deer and will hunt elk/moose at some point, yet even then I don't see a need for a 240gr round to accomplish this. Heck a 180gr is plenty for the last two. Also why do ppl think they need to shoot deer with a 180gr rounds??? I mean seriously my 95-100gr 243 does the job fantastically (to 300 yards). My 30-06 does the job much farther.....

The only purpose I can see use for a 240 grain round is BIG bear or other BIG dangerous game. If you really need a magnum IMO the 300 win mag is plenty unless you live in Africa or hunt there regularly. I for one sure as hell am not going to spend any time at the range with a 300 RUM practicing away. Heck even with a 300win mag I'd only probably sight it in and test it out before I headed out on a hunt.

My final grip about magnums is this.....ppl buy them for long range shooting is what they say right, "flatter shooter more energy blah blah blah". So I will now point out this >> how many of you can judge distance at long ranges in the field? Ok well I will say I think no one here can judge distances by 50 yard increments at long distance, and that's what it takes to make drop adjustments once the round starts getting way out there. Ok so the mag owner says "well the mag gives me more room for error". Well I say not enough to make a difference if you are shooting a target at 400+ yards. SOOOOOOOoooooo my point is you need a laser range finder to shoot long range period (or are super pro with mil dot) THEREFORE you need to know the drop for your caliber meaning you will be making scope adjustments regardless of what caliber you shoot. Meaning the flatter trajectory provided by a magnum really doesnt give you THAT much more of an edge. At shorter ranges yea perhaps it does help, but the difference at close ranges is only marginal. People have been killing game and people at 1000 yards for along time without all this ultra mag / mag trash that ppl think they have to have now. Don't get me wrong I think mags are pretty neat, but there not a giant leap in technology like some ppl seem to believe. What are the gun companies going to be feeding us next? Wait I can see it now the new 300 Super Uber mag aka the 300 SUM rofl 3800fps with a 180gr round Woohooo now I can kill that big <whatever> I never thought I'd have a chance at until the 300 SUM came along. OW and don't forget only 24 inch drop at 600 yards and B.C's of .875 with laser guided rounds so I don't even have to judge distance or make adjustments. Now THAT"s a flat shooter! ROFL

I don't know why you have singled out my post, apparently you didn't read it or understand it. I personally don't care if someone wants to shoot chipmunks with a 50 browning. Thankfully we still have the right to chose whatever cal. we want. If you can kill everything you want with a 243, why do you have an '06? Everyone has their preferences. dyeager535 was pointing out that hunting bullet selection for the 220-240 gr. range was poor for the 30 cal., I pointed out that there are in the 338.

[Aaronb2245]

Originally Posted by telkev

I don't know why you have singled out my post, apparently you didn't read it or understand it. I personally don't care if someone wants to shoot chipmunks with a 50 browning. Thankfully we still have the right to chose whatever cal. we want. If you can kill everything you want with a 243, why do you have an '06? Everyone has their preferences. dyeager535 was pointing out that hunting bullet selection for the 220-240 gr. range was poor for the 30 cal., I pointed out that there are in the 338.

I wasn't singling you out or throwing mud at you. I simply gawked at the though of a 240grain round and wondered what in the world ppl use it for. The original poster mentioned using it for elk or moose can't remember which without looking back. Obviously I should have posted the rest in another post or segregated it in the same post from yours somehow ...I just don't have the forum tools down all the way yet.

The rest of my post was not geared towards you, but rather towards the thoughts of people thinking that a magnum rifle is just far superior for making long shots (and the reasons for justifying it so). Also I did post that I though "magnums are neat". So I don't think a person is an idiot for having one, but rather think that trying to justify the reason based on trajectories and things of the sort is of little meaning. Knowing your rifle and the drop for your caliber is of importance, knowing the exact distance to target and the slant is important, but needing to make an extra MOA adjustment for drop is not.

Again I'm sorry for giving you the idea that I was targeting you. I was stirring a much larger pot......lol

Aaron.

[thebigitch62]

I have noticed how a lot of members get real bent out of shape about mag rifles and long distance shooting as I said above I have shot 3 dear and one elk all of which required only one shot. the rest of my statement was in jest. I would not even consider not shooting my rifle enough to know where it will shoot at a given distance. so far my longest shot was 377 yards on a 3X4 mulie at a 20 degree downhill angle with my laser and a little trig. I new just where to put lay the cross hairs. so why don't we all just relax a little.