Jumped into the Deep end!

[1000yards]

Soo.. Bought a 300 win mag.
Had been looking for a .308, then found a savage 111 in 300 win for a great deal.
I've shot a 30-06 and a 7mm rem, about 20 rounds each,
but mostly just 223.
I don't reload yet, I know the price for ammunition is pretty hefty compared to how cheap you can shoot 308, but I have been told once I start reloading I can get them within cents of each other.
Til I start to reload, is there a lowered load that's commercially available to prevent me from developing some big evil flinch?
or some secret source for really affordable 300 ammo??

[Scott N]

Remington offers, or at least used to offer, "Managed Recoil" ammo. I suspect the cost would be high, which might be a good idea to wet your feet into reloading a little before you wanted to. At least with reloading you can reduce your loads without too much trouble.

[forgesmith]

Hey 300 WM is a great round, it does take a bit more powder than the others. I load 30-06 in 220 gr bullets and they punch out there almost like the 300.
Take some time and get used to the recoil as it is just practice. I shot 16 rounds today and never really felt much difference. New factory Federal ammo for my 6.5 Swede is far hotter than I load from my tables in the manuals. Just saying you have no control over factory ammo.

[fish gunner]

Two words :eye relief.

[Hotwheels81]

Winchester power point 180gr shot pretty good outta my 111 300wm, limit the quantity you shoot not the power of the round to get used to it... Wear a heavy coat or sweater when your shooting it, upgrade the factory recoil pad to a slightly stiffer one, try to shoot it standing as much as possible as it will beat you pretty good just off the bench...


300WM Win PP @ 300M adjusted the scope after the first 3 and called it good when I seen the next 2 hit.

[huntin]

Buying a 300wm and shooting reduced loads is like buying a corvette and governing it at 95km/hr

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by huntin

Buying a 300wm and shooting reduced loads is like buying a corvette and governing it at 95km/hr

Which if you don't know how to drive, is a hell of a lot better than wrapping it around a tree. Which in this case would equate to developing a flinch that it might take years to get rid of.

It is easy to reduce load for the 300 WM. If you don't load, try to work with someone who does. Reduced recoil factory ammo is hard to come by but you can find it if you look hard enough but at least to start try to buy 130 or 150 grain bullets as they will kick way less than 220s. A 300 WM with Winchester white box 150s will kick about like a 3006 with 200 grain loads.

Put a good limbsaver on it, make sure the stock is not too long or too short for you, measure length of pull from the crook of you elbow to the first link in your shooting finger with the finger bent into shooting position. If you put the gun stock in the crook of your arm your finger should rest comfortably on the trigger. Wear heavy clothes, maybe even get a strap on pad. I use one when shooting my heavy boomers off the bench. No sense letting the recoil beat you up on long sessions.

Start out shooting a couple hundred 22 at a session and no more than half a dozen 300. Start shooting the 300 standing up. Work up slowly till you get used to the recoil and aren't afraid of it. Concentrate on seeing the bullet hit t he target. With your past experience it will work out fine.

[1000yards]

Wow, thanks to all!
I can shoot a hundred .223 and not care, but Glad I asked this to be sure,
Just want to make sure I'm not going to overdo it and loose all the practise Ive put in on the fundamentals..
Gotta say, I am getting pretty excited to shoot it thou!

[forgesmith]

I was out yesterday and ran a few various loads through the 300. I was putting 110 grs side by side about plus 6 inches @ 100M. Then went to gradually heavier bullets 150, 165, 180, 190, and last 220's. Every increase in weight brought the impact point down an inch. The 220's were and inch above zero, and every round was side by side like a ladder up to the first 110's. I love the accuracy of the Sako. My 165 load is zeroed at 300M, You will have fun with this one and so many other friends say the same thing about their 300's too. Enjoy, I just can't figure out why I have so many other great guns to play with, must be the indecision that comes with choice, lol.

[JCP]

One trick that helps me not notice recoil as much is double up the hearing protection. Plugs and muffs. Don't know why it works but it does for me.

[wolf308]

if you shoot prone and really get behind the rifle ,recoil wont be much either,or try the hawkins shooting posistion...glorified prone

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by wolf308

if you shoot prone and really get behind the rifle ,recoil wont be much either,or try the hawkins shooting posistion...glorified prone

Or perhaps a mechanics trolley

[fish gunner]

Few pointers , find a buddy with a 30/06 or a 45/70 put a few heavy 180gr plus down range to get a feel for thuding recoil .
Take your time with a friend to Ensure eye relief is adequate 2.5" or better. imo Redfield has some high eye relief scopes.use low power at first ×3-4 .
Use the sling to wrap the forward arm firm . If standing .
Take no more than 3-5shots the first day out . It wont hurt, thats the point . The next day you will.
If you wish further assistance pm im in red deer and can help if you wish .

[H380]

I wouldn't say you jumped into the deep end , If you're gonna play , then play !!Bigger guns out there than a 300win mag for sure .Lots of good tips on handling the recoil , you are gonna find it different than the calibers you mentioned but not untameable . Key is don't overdo practice to start and like was said get a scope with eye relief that is good for you ..Enjoy !