300 RUM

[WalleyeGod]

10 years ago I had planned that within 5 years I would head west on an elk hunt. Part of the plans was to add an elk rifle to the already burgeoning arsenal. Explaining to the Mrs.-had to have an elk rifle if I were to go elk hunting. She didn't need to know that my deer rifle would have been adequate. A gun for every critter and then a back up too is my train of thought.

After some time and careful consideration I decided on Remington's 300 RUM LSS model in LH bolt. I liked the looks of the rifle, am a southpaw, and was impressed with the cartridge ballistically. A ton of retained energy at 500 yards was amazing. Fit the bill for me in an elk rifle.

I mounted a Nikon Monarch 5.5x16.5x44 scope on it. Can't hit em if ya can't see em. It seemed as though I always had my deer rifle scope set at 5 or 6 power so that was my reasoning for the low end power of my elk rifle setup.

I had purchased quite a few rounds of factory ammo then as well because there wasn't much for reloading brass available at the time and figured this would give me some brass once I completed barrel break in.

Off to the range for barrel break in. I use the 20 round method whereby you shoot once clean for five sets, shoot two & clean for 3 sets and then shoot 3 & clean for 3 sets. Once that was completed I went to shooting groups with factory rounds until the barrel seemed to settle down some which took approximately 75 rounds in this case.

With an adequate amount of brass now for developing recipes I began working on a good shooting formula at the reloading bench. After a good bit of time at the range I came up with a round that shot Ok but being the forever reloader they never seem good enough so I continued tweaking for awhile and with Hodgdon coming out with Retumbo and Nosler coming out with their Accubond bullets found a good combination that shoots well in this rifle. If memory serves me correctly at this point I had approx. 200 rounds down the tube.

I will have to admit that it did spend some time in the PD town using some 165 gr Ballistic tips. Shot very sparingly. When you missed it was impressive on the dirt! Ultimately the BT are used for deer and using the Accubonds for elk was the intention.

With the way this rifle is set up I feel quite comfortable shooting this rifle out to 4-500 yards. Realizing that now I have shot approx 400 rounds through it at the range,etc. so know where she prints on paper. I did take a cow elk with it in '06. Didn't see one in '04. Made my 5 year goal of going after an elk. The performance was exceptional and although it wasn't all that long of a shot she did not go very far.

She is a pleasure to shoot the way it is configured and this rifle will be with me for quite some time.

There is a sling on it that was taken off for the pic and also the dates of the pics won't necessarily coincide with the actual date of the target. I keep all my range targets, since approx. 1989 so I can reference them later. The target is about 2004 or 2005. Pic of gun date is 2006. I don't always catch the date on the camera....

Happy shooting,

WG

[waskawood]

WG- You lie to your darling bride and then you broadcast it on FM for me to hear!!! Not very schmardt. Maybe that scope with the gold rings in the background could buy my silence. The NF would guarantee it.

[harvey lee]

Isn't it great when ones rifle shoots very well. Beautiful weapon. Now, go whack an elk.

[WalleyeGod]

Waska:

Told her I needed an elk rifle. Didn't lie. Was sure I needed it.

That scope in the background was sold for the NF. Don't have the money you do so had to sell a glass first and actually sold two of those in order to afford the NF.

Hope to go elk hunting again in a couple years. Great adventure.

WG

[DonBo]

Funny how women just don't understand. I had a .243, then won a 300 WSM. The wife asked what I was gonna do with it since I already had a rifle. I explained how this is a "little" one and this is a "big one". She said "well they both look the same size to me".

BTW, beautiful gun!

[harvey lee]

Yes, years ago my better half thought I was crazy when I owned 5 guns when we got hitched. Now its around 19 I believe, maybe 20.

Guns a fun. I must have went from crazy to nuts.

[WalleyeGod]

Don:

Thanks. Yeh I just fell head over heals for that laminate combination.

Nice muley in your avatar. Where did you hunt?

WG

[WalleyeGod]

I had meant to get a pic of the gun's Vais muzzle brake in this article. Here it is.

WG

[Gordie]

Yes, years ago my better half thought I was crazy when I owned 5 guns when we got hitched. Now its around 19 I believe, maybe 20.

Guns a fun. I must have went from crazy to nuts.

boy do I know what you mean Tom I'm still trying to figure out what to tell her when she finds out about the last three I bought

[picksbigwagon]

WG, that thing must be louder than *(insert unknown referrenece that requires an interent search) in a celebration of July 4th....

[WalleyeGod]

Picks:

What did you say?

You don't want to be standing off to the side of one that is for sure even with ear plugs/muffs (any rifle or shotgun for that matter). Definately a problem if you weren't wearing ear protection. It does rock. Behind it is Ok with ear protection. In the field I don't recall just a shot being a big deal without ear protection - other than a stocking cap over the ears. Similar to recoil in that you don't notice it as much when concentrating on the kill I suppose. Besides I am deaf in one ear and can't hear out of the other the way it is.

Note the union of the brake to the barrel. Makes it look factory.

Straight shootin,

WG

[Gordie]

What did you say is an understatement I ported my 870 and its deafitnley louder and you do not want to off the side off it at all. that looks sweet WG I'm thinking of porting my vanguard but I just cant get my self to drill holes in the barrel yet