Hello all,

I'm new here but not to shooting, however I'm looking for a bit of advice.

I am researching to purchase a new additional rifle which I would like to do two things with. (now I know there is always a trade off and compromises must be reached, however) I live in Oz now, and am planning to go up the Northern Territory to shoot dangerous game.... scrub bulls, buffalo. Naturally it needs to be a large calibre, now I do reload, so cost isnt an issue on ammo, but is on the rifle to a degree. I'm almost dead cert that I'm going with 300wsm for my calibre, however my question is:- What would be a reasonable rifle, or as good as poss, rifle on the range when I'm not hunting.

I dont want to win competitions but would like to have a bit of a shoot at 500m when not hunting, now I know a hunting rifle is lighter and will buck about a bit on range work, and also a heavy barrelled rifle is a pig to carry all day, but was wondering if anyone does at present do both with one rifle?

Browning A boltII is avail but bit pricey, weatherby vanguard is avail too at good price, but I'm concerned it'll be poor on range, like very poor.

Does anyone have any advice? In an ideal world we would borrow and test shoot from the local shop prior to purchase.... LOL..... wouldnt an ideal world be great!

Any advice gratefully received,

Ron

www.savagearms.com

The Savage 116FSS may be what you are looking for. Inexpensive, out-of-the-box accuracy and, at 6.75 lbs, it should be a joy to carry.

If it were me going after water buffalo and wanting a powerhouse round for that, but yet something that was accurate enough for 500 meter shooting, think I'd reset my thinking in line of a .338 Win Mag. This chambering is available on just about any of today's rifles, is powerful enough for the game you seek, yet a very accurate round for long range plinking. Ammo is readily available and is an easy round for reloading with a good bullet selection from 185 gr up to 275 gr.

Got to admit, though - this is one of the very few chamberings that just knocks the snot out of me!

www.savagearms.com

The Savage 116FSS may be what you are looking for. Inexpensive, out-of-the-box accuracy and, at 6.75 lbs, it should be a joy to carry.

Thanks for reply.

Yes Savage was a consideration of mine I must admit, but the lightness makes me think it wont be too good on range stuff?

Ron

If it were me going after water buffalo and wanting a powerhouse round for that, but yet something that was accurate enough for 500 meter shooting, think I'd reset my thinking in line of a .338 Win Mag. This chambering is available on just about any of today's rifles, is powerful enough for the game you seek, yet a very accurate round for long range plinking. Ammo is readily available and is an easy round for reloading with a good bullet selection from 185 gr up to 275 gr.

Got to admit, though - this is one of the very few chamberings that just knocks the snot out of me!

Thanks for info,

338 does seem to be a great round for this purpose, however as you say, recoil is going to be a big issue here. I looked at 338 rounds and they are bigger than my daughters colouring crayons! Thats one of the reasons I fancy 300wsm, but would be interested in rifle choice or if you know someone doing a bit of both, hunting and target. I'm mainly a hunter, but a Tikka 22-250 is my main gun, the 300 wont be out as often, thats why I thought I would try get something that will shoot reasonable on the range, to do a bit of practice between the BIG hunting trips.

Anyway, much appreciated,

Thanks

Ron

Ron,

I guess it depends on your recoil tolerance. I stepped up from a .30-06 to a .338 without any problem, although the .338 is a handful when sighting in from the bench. No problem in the field though.... best of luck.

Ron,
I have only shot one 300wsm. It was a win coyote and it was possibly the sweetest rifle i have shot in my limited experience.
Nathan

Ron,
I have only shot one 300wsm. It was a win coyote and it was possibly the sweetest rifle i have shot in my limited experience.
Nathan

Many thanks for all the comments, its great to find a board of genuine shooting enthusiasts.

Going back to what nitro said bout savage. I looked at them again more seriously, now as I said I'm looking for a bit of a dual gun here if poss, and I found the following info and weights in 300wsm.
The 16fss weighs 6.75lbs, and I feel poss a bit light for 300wsm. this is the hunter version

The 12bvss weighs 10lbs, prob bit too heavy to hunt with, this is the target version

Then we have the 12fvss, with accutrigger, and heavy barrel. It weighs 8.75lbs in 300wsm, sounds great to me, perfect middle of road weight, slightly heavier to carry, but slightly more accurate on long range plinking, and that extra weight will absorb recoil, although being a shotgunner, recoil isnt concerning me lots at moment.
So I think I have found the perfect or best as, rifle for my use,........

unless of course...... you know different.

(only snag is, has to be ordered from usa, and will be 4 months delivery........ still time to save)


Regards


Ron

Accuracy and a perfect trigger you couldnt ask for a better rifle for the price of a savage what a lovely company. Im glad they exist even the 220 dollar package rifles(comes with scope) they make out of the box performance is a nice 3 leaf clover groups at 100 yards on 24in 7mm rem mag. Works for me bought a 243 12fv savage with accutrigger with a bushnell banner on it has become the single most accurate gun I own besides my 17hmr which is a marlin.

Buddy of mine has a Vanguard stainless in 308 its accurate but not to pick on the gun I think the accuracy has more to do with the cartridge but alot of people are glad they can buy a weatherby rifle for a reasonable price now. They sell like vodka in russia everytime I see one on the shelf at the local gun store for 450 or 525 is gone by next week spots empty it really comes down to what you want to have. My personal experiances with savage have me stuck on the brand and are one of my most trusted rifles nothing better then to know your going to hit almost everything you aim at.

The accutrigger gives me such confidence alone make that shot count 90% for the other 10%...**** wind :( .

Thanks Gimpy,

I'm all but decided, I'm gonna order the 12fvss in morning, I've heard nothing but good press about the savage rifles, and even if it takes 4mths, it should be worth the wait.

Thanks for all the input

I shall remain an active poster here,


Rgds

Ron (from Oz)

Since your hunting dangerous game keep your options open for a high caliber handgun Ive seen the fella's on accurate reloading come close to a full on charge from buffalo and not even see it coming. Although they are good with their rifles a 44 with Hydra Shok federals would come in handy better being safe then end up christopher reeves.

-Gimpy

New guy, first post.

Have you considered the Winchester (USRAC) Model 70 Classic LT? They have a version that's specifically for 300 WSM, but I bought one last week chambered in 300 Winchester Magnum. It's my first magnum, first Winchester, first 26-inch barrel, etc.

I actually fell for its looks (nice stock, wood, checkering, satin non-glare finish), but I've come to appreciate its other qualities. At eight pounds (3.64 kilos, I think) without the scope, extra rounds, or carrying strap, there's enough heft to absorb recoil reasonably well. (I also bought a PAST pad for my shoulder for the firing range, though I won't wear it when hunting. It works very, very, very well. Did I say how well it works?) It took me 10 minutes to lighten the trigger, though I've never done it before, starting from a written page of instructions.

While I've never owned a Savage, I've heard good reports of its accuracy. However, the standard Mauser-type extractor (on Rugers and my Winchester) have traditionally been the action of choice for dangerous game, primarily due to the large claw extractor and standing ejector.

Further, there are some who would question the choice of the 300 WSM for dangerous game. The rebated rim of the cartridge gives a little less for an extractor to grasp than the standard 300 Win Mag. Also, the greater shoulder angle of the case has not yet been extensively tried for feeding reliability on dangerous game as opposed to the lesser angles of the older cartridges. You might be limited to loading relatively lighter bullet weights than in the longer cartridges.

However, it does have some advantages. Due to its case design you could reasonably expect slightly greater accuracy with the 300 WSM, and due to having a smaller capacity and less powder, less recoil for the same velocity.

Good luck,
Jaywalker

What kind of ammo or bullets can you get for the .300 WSM in Oz? Important decisions when you're shooting the mean stuff....

You know, Ron173 -

Another advantage of the Savage is the ability to do "switch barreling" and have several different chamberings, if you want. All that is required is the barrel, possible bolt face change out and re- headspacing, which is easy with the Savage barrel system. www.midwayusa.com has the kits for such swap outs. It's something to keep in mind with your new Savage!

You know, Ron173 -

Another advantage of the Savage is the ability to do "switch barreling" and have several different chamberings, if you want. All that is required is the barrel, possible bolt face change out and re- headspacing, which is easy with the Savage barrel system. www.midwayusa.com has the kits for such swap outs. It's something to keep in mind with your new Savage!

Ok thanks again guys for the replies and greatly welcome advice.
I have ordered the savage in 300wsm, and I feel pleased with my choice, especially the 8.75lb weight factor, its just the weight I was looking for and I hear no bad press on Savage, quite the contrary.
I will try to address a few of the other points raised.
I know buffalo are serious stuff and can and do charge, thats what gives you the full on adrenalin charged day out there, the fact that its very dangerous.
However in a one on one situation, with me with three 300wsm to unload, I know whos comin off second best, and believe me I aint gonna miss. However we are all prone to miss now and then and if I did, I have my buddy there too, who will empty his mag also.
Another point is that these hunts are organised, and we are paying guests, and have a guide with us, who also has a suitable canon at hand, should our safety be in question, as effectively, we are his clients, so all in all the safety level is there.
Handguns on big game, I agree, sounds good, but would present a drama here, its another class of licence, and ontop of that the govt is trying to outlaw them and has a current buy back on. Largest handgun cal here is now .38 calibre.

I'm happy that the 300wsm wont jam, it did afterall win the 2002 ammunition of the year award. (dont know who put the competition up, but anyway), and as for bullet availability, its vast and varied. I reload, and we have all the major brands of powders and projectiles here. I generally use winchester primers, ADI powder, (made by Australian Defence Industries, its very good) and projectiles, I use Sierra or Nosler.
300wsm is avail also in factory from all the big players, although at that calibre, the cost is starting to be an issue.
I reload my 22-250, not to save money, but to produce superior ammo to that I can buy, however in 300wsm it will also be to save a buck. Although I dont think the savings will be huge as in the big cartridge your reloading in kilos not grains!!.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to it all, and again thank you guys for taking the time to reply to me.

Regards

Ron

If you have a competent guide then I'd not worry too much about carrying a cannon for yourself. It's better to put the first one in the right spot no matter what the caliber!

Go with the Nosler Partition if you can get it and want to handload. If you can stand the price get one box of the Winchester factory ammo with the Fail-Safe bullet and see how it shoots. Might be worth a little extra cost for the hunt itself.

Handguns - no way would I shoot a buff with a .38 caliber handgun! Maybe not even with a .44 or .45 (although others no doubt have). OK maybe a .454 Casull. But that not an option for you, doesn't sound like.

Good luck with your hunting and let us know how it goes.

Hey There
Just wanted to add I picked up a .300WSM in a Savage 116,whlie not a Savage nut this thing shoots accurate and recoil is about like a 30-06.
T-Buck