300 Win Mag for deer hunting? Whats your opinions?

[BassCat]

What are your opinions on this gun for deer? is it overkill? Ive never shot one before, but caught a new one on sale for $250, and bought it, i needed a bigger rifle, but really wanted something like a 30-06 or 7mm.

thanks,
Mike

[cat stalker]

My friends dad has one, and lets put it this way he hasn't had to track any deer since he's been using it.

[porboy]

I had one and although it was a good shooter the recoil on mine was pretty tough. But being a handloader I loaded it down to 30-06 specs and it worked out good for me. I used the full load when hunting Elk so it was pretty much a all around gun. Buying the factory loads to get cases was high but after that it was a OK gun. I bet you will like it and you got it at a good price.
Bill

[kkyyoottee]

I think you got a great deal, but unless you need jello deer parts this is way to much gun for whitetails. This is a reach out and touch someone gun. I used on in Alaska for caribou out on tundra it was set in for 300 yards and when the caribou were parading right thru my camp I felt like a fool. I did take it sheep hunting but loaded it down ward with a heavy bullet, but it still toasted the front quarter on my sheep. This is just my experience, but hay you got a good deal!!

[baitchunker]

im with will on this one. you got one heck of a deal. but make your shot placement count. a shoulder hit will rob you of meat bigtime.

[bowfin]

I hunt in NC and I dont need that kind of fire power I like 30/06 or 270

[randallewis]

You sure found a good deal. It would be a little overkill in La. pine plantations but you have the option of going after big game sometime w/ the same gun. Good hunting and good luck,

[catman george]

You got a great deal depending on the manufacturer and model. I would suggest you have a muzzle brake installed which will reduce the recoil by approx 70%. This should equal approx a .243 or 20 ga. If you are determined to use it on whitetails then head shoot or neck shoot them. No tracking and little loss of meat but messy. Zero the gun for 3" high at 100 yds and you should be dead on at 300- 340 yds. Spend $350- 400 for some top glass and you can hunt anything in North America. 180 grain Sierra Game King is very accurate in the .300 mag.

catman george

[WylieCat]

Sounds like a great deal on any rifle. The .300 Win Mag is overkill for most hunters. Some situations with skilled shooters would dictate a shot with the .300 Win Mag ballisitics, but for the average 50-75 yard shot the rifle is more punishment than reward.

"...then head shoot or neck shoot them..."

Very bad advice for a deer hunter. The vital area in both places mentioned is very small and will result in a wounded animal that will die a slow death if the shot does not hit its mark. A heart lung shot is the most ethical place to aim for on a deer.

[BassCat]

Thanks everyone, I plan to use my marlin 30-30 for woods hunting still, but i hunt alot of BIG fields, and will more likely use the 300 then. the gun i got is the remington model 710. the store i got it from was closing them out due to a new design.
thanks again,
Mike

[jlingle]

I've always wondered why people are so quick to use the term "overkill" when talking about deer hunting. After all, killing them is the whole point. You never want to blow out both shoulders, but if that's the shot you have & you wanna take it, then it's your decision, your deer, your meat. The 300 will kill deer in a big way, and just like any other round.... if you place the bullet where it's supposed to be there will be minimal meat lost. There are lots and lots of guys that use the 300 winny down here in SW Oklahoma. Mainly because of the long range capabilities of the gun. I personally don't own one, but I'd like to have one. I hunt deer with a 7mm Mag & I've been told that's overkill as well. To me, killing the animal as quickly and humanely as possible is the point. Big guns + good shotplacement = quick kills. I know, I know, small caliber rifles will kill deer too. Heck, I"ve killed several deer with a 6mm and a .243..... so I recognize and acknowledge that the smaller calibers will kill deer as well. Hope I ain't steppin' on any toes, I'm just kinda thinking out loud.

I think you got a fantastic deal on the rifle. If I were you, I'd seriously consider upgrading the scope that came on that rifle (I think that was a combo, right?) so that your optics will match the capabilities of your nice new gun. Hope you enjoy it, regardless.

[BassCat]

I've always wondered why people are so quick to use the term "overkill" when talking about deer hunting. After all, killing them is the whole point. You never want to blow out both shoulders, but if that's the shot you have & you wanna take it, then it's your decision, your deer, your meat. The 300 will kill deer in a big way, and just like any other round.... if you place the bullet where it's supposed to be there will be minimal meat lost. There are lots and lots of guys that use the 300 winny down here in SW Oklahoma. Mainly because of the long range capabilities of the gun. I personally don't own one, but I'd like to have one. I hunt deer with a 7mm Mag & I've been told that's overkill as well. To me, killing the animal as quickly and humanely as possible is the point. Big guns + good shotplacement = quick kills. I know, I know, small caliber rifles will kill deer too. Heck, I"ve killed several deer with a 6mm and a .243..... so I recognize and acknowledge that the smaller calibers will kill deer as well. Hope I ain't steppin' on any toes, I'm just kinda thinking out loud.

I think you got a fantastic deal on the rifle. If I were you, I'd seriously consider upgrading the scope that came on that rifle (I think that was a combo, right?) so that your optics will match the capabilities of your nice new gun. Hope you enjoy it, regardless.


correct, it came with a scope, what type of scopr would you recommend?
thanks,
Mike

[Cathooker]

Sounds like a great deal on the 300. I have a 300 and plan to use it hunting elk.


"...then head shoot or neck shoot them..."

Very bad advice for a deer hunter. The vital area in both places mentioned is very small and will result in a wounded animal that will die a slow death if the shot does not hit its mark. A heart lung shot is the most ethical place to aim for on a deer.

When you shoot a deer in the heart lung area there is very little meat wasted. Shoulder shots will anchor them but destroys a lot of meat. Head and neck shots are risky at best. When most hunters take the shot at a deer they are under an overload of adrenaline and their thought process is cloudy.They need to aim for the target that gives them the biggest margin for error and still have a good killing shot.....this would be the heart lung area.

[hunter]

correct, it came with a scope, what type of scopr would you recommend?
thanks,
Mike

Be sure to use an high quality scope, I've found the recoil from these tend to destroy cheaper scopes. I've found if I stay above the $200.00 range I have less problems. I use an leupold VX-1 4x12x40 with out any problems from the scope. Last year I was pulling my gun up to tree stand had it tied to sling and sling hold screw come out gun fell to ground at 12-15' up. climbed down and went to range. Got lucky the scope didn't take the brunt of the impact, the scope wasn't off at all. Could of stayed and hunted, but didn't wan't to take the chance of bad shot placement.

[derbycitycatman]

Its probably "overkill" as is my 30/06 or most other high power rifles. But who cares the whole point to me is a quick clean kill. Enjoy your new rifle sounds like you got a heck of a deal.

[jeffw51]

i have used a 300 mag for whitetail since i was 16, it is an awsome deer caliber!it does kick and if you cannot shoot it without flinching or snapping the trigger it wont be the gun for you.i will tell you it holds unbelievable long range energy at four hundred yards it still hits like a sledge hammer.out of all of the deer i have shot with this caliber all of them but one have died without taking a step, it anchors them, if thats overkill ill take it.this gun will shoot as far as i am comfortable taking the shot ,i have shot deer out to four hundred+yards .back in my 30-30 days i got sick off seeing big bucks across a corn field and not being able to do a thing about it.now i can shoot a deer at 30 yards or 300 and not just hope i never get a shot over 100 yards.

[keithcatfish]

A 300 win mag is great if you are hunting open fields where long shots (300+ yards) are the norm. A 300 mag will drop deer dead at ranges MUCH farther than the average rifleman can shoot. To take advantage of its potential range PRACTICE a lot before the hunt. Don't even dream of taking long shots offhand or with a lousy rest. Set up a table, complete with sandbags for a solid rest (kittylitter woks well) at the edge of the field. Place distance/wind flags in the field so you know the distance to the deer. Make a drop chart and tape it to the table. Reduce your range if conditions are windy.

Search for the internet for sites dedicated to long range hunting, they are extremely informative.

[kkyyoottee]

Its probably "overkill" as is my 30/06 or most other high power rifles. But who cares the whole point to me is a quick clean kill. Enjoy your new rifle sounds like you got a heck of a deal.

I think the word "overkill" has different meanings to different people. Kinda like using a sledge hammer to drive a finnishing nail in wall for a picture. Depends on the person and their skill and comfort level.

In the brushy woods 25-50 yard shotsin my opinion a 300 is over kill ,does that mean I think a 300 is overkill, no just in the woods and for me and me only, a 300 in open country, with windy conditions and 150-200 yard shots would be just right. So in my opinion and mine only the word overkill is not for the type of rifle but for the type of hunting and conditions.

I also have a comment on the neck and head shots growing up I seen this done a lot but it was done by people with a .22 that could hit a "nat" at 50 yards. I seen as a kid many a deer shot in the ear and drop like it had been hit with a sledge hammer. Now for the neck shot this is risky at best even with high powered rifles the theory is that the force of the impact will break its kneck the problem I have seen guys trying this is they break the spine and it only paralizes them not a sight you want to see.

[SSgt Fishslayer]

i used to use one when i was a teenager until it knocked me out of a tree stand. ok maybe it was because i was turned around and maybe it was because i was offbalance and maybe it was because i hadnt shot it in a while, still spooked me for a while. when i was younger i would zero it every 6 months or so and after about 5 shots i didnt want to shoot it anymore that day. they kick pretty good. but then i joined the corps and now i would take one in a heartbeat. if you are looking to reach out and touch something then this is a good choice. my personal choice for all around rifle is the .308, but for 250 bucks you got yourself a good deal.

[skydiver41]

You got a great deal but magnums are not necessary for whitetail deer...their skins just aren't that thick. I have matching Rem 700 PSS heavy barrel rifles...1 in 308 and the other in 300 Mag. Both shoot 1/2 inch groups at 100 groups with my handloads. I have killed 20 deer with the 308 and have only recovered 1 bullet...meaning they have all passed through. If 308 150 grainers pass completely through who needs anything bigger? Ammo is cheaper and easier to find...meaning practice is cheaper and more enjoyable (less recoil). When I go elk hunting someday I will be carrying that 300 Mag. If recoil reduction is the goal the 7mm-08 or the 260 are even better choices.

All the advice you've gotten on scopes is correct. With scopes you definitely get what you pay for. I own 4 Leupolds...all have a Lifetime Warranty for any owner...not just the original buyer. The magnification you chose depends on your budget, eyesight and rifle use. I personally prefer the VariX-III with the side focus knob and target turrets and a lot of magnification...as in 6.5 to 20 and a 50mm objective lens. I like to be able to see the holes I'm punching in paper at a long distance. Deer hunting and rifle collection is a sickness...welcome to my world.:smile2:

[kat in the hat]

I bought this same rifle. It came with a paper that said that it was factory bore sighted. I even talked to several people on here, and other forums that said that was true. They could hit paper at 100 yards right out of the box, and only had to make minor adjustments. DO NOT take that for granted if you have not fired the rifle yet. Mine was WAY off. Couldn't even hit paper at 25 yards, and took alot of punishment trying in vain. I have since bore sighted it, but haven't made it back to the range to dial it in yet.

As for overkill, possibly in some situations, the rifle may not be appropriate, but that is true of other rounds as well. The feilds that I will be hunting may offer a 200 to 300 yard shot. Other rounds are capable of reaching out that far, and farther, but I want to be confident in where that shot is going to land, and it's lethality when it gets there. I don't want to track a deer if at all possible. I want it to drop in it's tracks. Losing a little shoulder meat won't hurt my feelings. I like the tenderloins, and hind quarter the most anyway, but if you drop the shot into the chest cavity, it won't destroy too much meat. Like I said in the other post about Mags. I've seen small rounds make BIG holes too, and lead explodes into the meat if you hit bone with it.

[kkyyoottee]

Remember the person who sighted it in probably doesnt have your same eyesight. My wife takes my rifle and hits 2 inches high and 1 inch to the right. I take hers and it shoots 4 low and 3 left. BORE SIGHT = SAVES AMMON AND SHOULDERS

[David Knotts]

I don't see a 300. as bein overkill, after all how many of yall hunt with a 50cal. muzzle loader? I shot a few with a 50 cal., and a few with a 300. mag. I got way more meat lose with the old 50, than with the 300.

When I got my first 7mag, every body that I hunt with told me the same way to much gun, then they saw that when I shot a deer, I didn't have to track it. Now my BIG 7mag, is the smallest gun in our club. Go figure.

[Catfish65]

Good deal on your rifle!

Overkill no! 300 win mag is a great deer rifle. If anyone tells you its to much overkill tell them what I do. Yes they sure do kill over when I shoot them! LOL

I was deer hunting with a 300 weatherby mag. I advanced up to a 30-378 weatherby mag now. I must say the 30-378 is the best deer rifle I have ever used. I was a 7mm rem mag man before the 300. Still have them all. I always pickup the 30-378 when im hitting the deer woods. Dosn't matter if im in thick cover, open woods or clear cut it dose the job!

Most people say these big rifles waste to much meat. Wrong its the type of bullets you use in them and shot placement. Sure if you buy a box of the remington core locks theres gonna be a shoulder gone or something like that. But shoot bullets that stays together and theres no more damage than a 270 dose. The two best bullets that I have used with minimum meat lose is nosler partion and barnes X solid cooper bullets. Barnes is by far the best I have shot.

[xringer3]

I don't own a magnum, but the 300 is probably the most versitle "one gun rifle" there is. You don't need to handload to get lower velocity anymore either. They make all the premium bullet loads for it, extra power loads, and now they make lower power reduced recoil loads for it now. If I was only going to have one gun to handle all my hunting from antelope, deer, and elk and bear, that would be it!

It's more than what I would want to use on most of the deer hunting I do. I've seen alot of meat destroyed by other hunters using one. But, if I were hunting were the range was great, or using the reduced power loads, I'd use one without hesitation.

[flathead willie]

My old hunting partner used one and I could tell you some ugly stories. A lot of times he wasted more meat than he kept. If you are after antlers I guess it is OK. If you want meat, I'd go with something lighter.

[kkyyoottee]

I don't see a 300. as bein overkill, after all how many of yall hunt with a 50cal. muzzle loader? I shot a few with a 50 cal., and a few with a 300. mag. I got way more meat lose with the old 50, than with the 300.

When I got my first 7mag, every body that I hunt with told me the same way to much gun, then they saw that when I shot a deer, I didn't have to track it. Now my BIG 7mag, is the smallest gun in our club. Go figure.

A 50 cal against a 300? Are you saying they have the same ballistics, energy, range, be able to propel a same weight bullet at same speed? The only fact I see in your statement is that a .50 is a larger calibre thats where it ends my friend!!!

[kkyyoottee]

Its not the bullet causing meat damage!!! its the velocity of that bullet causing the damage and the foot pounds of energy !!! I have shot moose with a 300 and a 375 h and h and I can tell you that 375 will cause less damage . Why because it has a larger grain weight bullet moving at a slower speed. Well thats my opinion from using both and also having a hunting partner using a 7mm. I am assuming it would do the same on whitetails.

[kkyyoottee]

Overkill to my 15 year old bow hunting daughter is anything other than a arrow. She refuses to shotgun hunt or rifle hunt. She told me one time " any one can pull a trigger on a game animal but how many can get close enough to make a clean kill with a bow?" I dont argue with her anymore:embarassed:

[redneckchev]

i hunt with a 300 win mag and i love it.alot people say its overkill for deer.but i reload my own ammo therefore i can taylor the loads the way i want them and better ballistics out of it than factory ammo has to offer.me personaly for deer with a 300 win mag i use the barnes x 165 grain bullet.the barnes bullet is by far my favorite,it doesnt break apart on impact like most bullets.i have shot deer as close as 35 yards with it using the barnes bullets and only blood shot about 1'' - 2'' of meat around the bullet hole and that was it.i would not be affraid to take a shot on a deer out to 500 or 600 yds with my 300 win mag.

[Big B]

I shot my first deer with a 300 win mag. In my personal opinion this gun combined with the right load is an excellent rifle for whitetail. This rifle is also great for larger game like moose and bear. Hope you harvest a great one.

[David Knotts]

You make a bad hit with a 50. cal muzzel loader, and you got a mess on your hands. It's not just with a magnum centerfire. I've seen some awful damage done with a 30-30.

The reason I made a comparison to a 50. cal is, I shot a deer a few years ago with the ole 50, just behind the left shoulder, and blew the whole right shoulder off.

[kkyyoottee]

You make a bad hit with a 50. cal muzzel loader, and you got a mess on your hands. It's not just with a magnum centerfire. I've seen some awful damage done with a 30-30.

The reason I made a comparison to a 50. cal is, I shot a deer a few years ago with the ole 50, just behind the left shoulder, and blew the whole right shoulder off.

I have found this also to be true I believe it is bullet rolling it hits a hard bone and rolls or ricochets out where you least expect it. I stay away from solids.

[Philiagorillia]

If you are only hunting in heavily wooded areas where you dont get more than a 100yds to shoot then its overkill to use a 300 mag, now hunting huge fields where you may have to take a 3-600yd shot then i dont see a problem with it. But overall i'd rather have a 308, you can take a quick shot at 100yds or under or take it out to 500yds and still be effective and accurate.

[xringer3]

If you are only hunting in heavily wooded areas where you dont get more than a 100yds to shoot then its overkill to use a 300 mag, now hunting huge fields where you may have to take a 3-600yd shot then i dont see a problem with it. But overall i'd rather have a 308, you can take a quick shot at 100yds or under or take it out to 500yds and still be effective and accurate.
That says it all! I couldn't agree more.

[kkyyoottee]

I have read several posts of shots being taken at 3-500 yards . I looked up some of my old reload info a .300 mag and at 2960 fps, sighted in 1 1/2 inch high at 100 yards with a 180 grainer this will drop -41.9 inches!!! I blame the hunting magazines talking about these ranges!! First off I have lived in several states belonged to many a range and none had 500 yard ranges, most had 100 and some had 300, but for arguments sake take a 8 inch bulls eye and then move back over a 1/4 of a mile and put your scope on ultra high and tell me what you see? And your willing to take a shot a deer? I shot a arrow in the air and where it landed no one knows.

[xringer3]

No one should take a shot that they're not confortable with. The only reason I'll take a long shot is because I've been trained, and practice at thelonger ranges. What I consider long range for hunting is 300 yards. I don't mean shooting from a bench is practice either. I mean practicing field positions. I use anything I can to get steady; sling, bipod, tree limb, back pack, etc.

Most shots at deer are less than 100 yards. Over 95% of mine have been but I've also had some over 100. You have to know PROFICIENTLY your range, rifle, load trajectory, and sight settings. I don't want a wounded animal. I'll hold the shot if everything's not right. I don't like hearing people talk about the "hail mary" shot or that they use a bigger caliber because a bad shot will still kill them. If you're making bad shots, don't shoot till you can make good ones.

Just because your caliber will make a killing shot at that range, doesn't mean that you should try it.

[flathead willie]

I have read several posts of shots being taken at 3-500 yards . I looked up some of my old reload info a .300 mag and at 2960 fps, sighted in 1 1/2 inch high at 100 yards with a 180 grainer this will drop -41.9 inches!!! I blame the hunting magazines talking about these ranges!! First off I have lived in several states belonged to many a range and none had 500 yard ranges, most had 100 and some had 300, but for arguments sake take a 8 inch bulls eye and then move back over a 1/4 of a mile and put your scope on ultra high and tell me what you see? And your willing to take a shot a deer? I shot a arrow in the air and where it landed no one knows.

I agree! The longest shot I ever made was 278 yards because I had permission to hunt an area that was all huge fields. To do it I sighted in almost three inches high at 100 yards (30-06) and knew that I was hitting about 4 inches low at 300 yards. It took a lot of practice and a good steady rest. Statistics show that most White Tails are killed at 65 yards or less.

[billNpam]

Way to big for Whitetail. I am a 270 or 30-30 man for the states that allow rifles and 12 Ga/ 3 inch Mag for shotgun states. But this year I am crossbow hunting for a wall hanger even during gun season until I get real hungery then I will bring out the guns

[kkyyoottee]

The sport of hunting should be harvesting a animal in the quickest and most humane way. Taking long shots and crippling any animal till it falls dead out in the field, or hiking trail, or god forbid someone's yard is fodder for the anti's. I believe some people who truly know their weapon can make some long shots. I just choose not to . Course I have also brought my children up never to use the word kill and hunting together. I have taught them to say if asked if they "killed" a deer or whatever to politely say "harvest". Because our wildlife is a renewable source that needs to be "harvested" . Amazing looks on peoples faces even the antis when you choose your words!!

[Grumper]

I have a .300 which I bought new in the year 2000. I have take a countless number of deer with it, and it dosen't do any more damage than my .30-06. I shoot Remingtion 150 core-loct out of it. I've never shot a deer with it that it hasn't dropped in it's tracks. I must admit though, shooting anything larger than a 150grain bullet does a number on the meat. I swear by mine though, but if you are just hunting for the meat, or just shooting small does, I would stick with a smaller or less powerful caliber. Where I hunt in northern Missouri, the bucks get pretty big, and that's what I am hunting. In fact last deer I killed had a live weight of 295lbs! So if it's trophy deer you're hunting, in my mind a .300 is perfectly fine.

[kkyyoottee]

I have a .300 which I bought new in the year 2000. I have take a countless number of deer with it, and it dosen't do any more damage than my .30-06. I shoot Remingtion 150 core-loct out of it. I've never shot a deer with it that it hasn't dropped in it's tracks. I must admit though, shooting anything larger than a 150grain bullet does a number on the meat. I swear by mine though, but if you are just hunting for the meat, or just shooting small does, I would stick with a smaller or less powerful caliber. Where I hunt in northern Missouri, the bucks get pretty big, and that's what I am hunting. In fact last deer I killed had a live weight of 295lbs! So if it's trophy deer you're hunting, in my mind a .300 is perfectly fine.

Maybe I am reading your post wrong so would you please clarify it for me? From reading your post if you are meat hunting use a smaller calibre but if your trophy hunting use a .300 ? I am reading its okay to waste meat on a trophy but not on a doe?. Please correct me if I am wrong. Sometimes what my eyes and my brain sees are two different things. Thankyou

[Grumper]

Maybe I am reading your post wrong so would you please clarify it for me? From reading your post if you are meat hunting use a smaller calibre but if your trophy hunting use a .300 ? I am reading its okay to waste meat on a trophy but not on a doe?. Please correct me if I am wrong. Sometimes what my eyes and my brain sees are two different things. Thankyou
It's not like that at all. What I am saying is....I hunt with alot of guys that just go out hunting to kill the first thing they see... usually a 60lb doe. If you are just gonna shoot a little doe, why use a .300 when you could use a .270 or .30-30 or something like that. The reason I use a .300 is because where I hunt I can easily get a 300 yd shot no problem, and I want a gun with enough energy to cleanly take that deer down. I shot my buck last year with my Remingtion .30-06 at 75 yds, a perfect double lung shot, and it ran 150 yds on the neighbors farm before it died. I had to go ask the landowner for permission to tresspass before I could go get it. Being the fact that the deer's live weight was 295, I think feel that my .300 would have taken him down. I've just had better luck with my .300. and as far as wasting meat goes, You shoot a little doe anywhere with a .300 and there will be alot of wasted meat, plan of scrapping the whole front half of the deer, unless it's a complete passthrough, been there, done that. Comparing hide thickness, muscle density and toughness, there is a big difference in a 60lb doe or a 250lb buck. Most of my larger bucks, the .300 didn't do that much damage at all. That's what I meant to say, and hey, that's just my honest opinion from experience.I would like to point out though, I am a very firm believer in game laws, and would never willingly leave or scrap an unedible portion of game.:roll_eyes:

[kkyyoottee]

It's not like that at all. What I am saying is....I hunt with alot of guys that just go out hunting to kill the first thing they see... usually a 60lb doe. If you are just gonna shoot a little doe, why use a .300 when you could use a .270 or .30-30 or something like that. The reason I use a .300 is because where I hunt I can easily get a 300 yd shot no problem, and I want a gun with enough energy to cleanly take that deer down. I shot my buck last year with my Remingtion .30-06 at 75 yds, a perfect double lung shot, and it ran 150 yds on the neighbors farm before it died. I had to go ask the landowner for permission to tresspass before I could go get it. Being the fact that the deer's live weight was 295, I think feel that my .300 would have taken him down. I've just had better luck with my .300. and as far as wasting meat goes, You shoot a little doe anywhere with a .300 and there will be alot of wasted meat, plan of scrapping the whole front half of the deer, unless it's a complete passthrough, been there, done that. Comparing hide thickness, muscle density and toughness, there is a big difference in a 60lb doe or a 250lb buck. Most of my larger bucks, the .300 didn't do that much damage at all. That's what I meant to say, and hey, that's just my honest opinion from experience.I would like to point out though, I am a very firm believer in game laws, and would never willingly leave or scrap an unedible portion of game.:roll_eyes:

Thanks for clarifying this to me like I said sometimes my eyes and brain think differently well my wife would say all the time but well I better stop there but you get my drift.:wink:

[spaceman]

using a 12 ga. on dove's is overkill. right. It is if you use 3 1/2" mag 00 buckshot. But use 2 3/4" light load 8's and its not. Same with the 300 mag. just match the load to the game and range. I use a 300, It's a stright shooter that I know will do the job right. If you like the way the gun shoots than use it, the overkill question is personel, shoot the gun and answer it for yourself.

[jeffw51]

my dad used to tell me ,squeeze the trigger it should suprize you when the gun goes off that way youll know your not snapping the trigger.take a deep breath let it out slowly and start your squeeze boom!damn that was hard to do when i got my first 300 it beat me to death but i finally learned how to shoot it correctly.alot of talk is about extreme ranges and humane killing.i did say in an earlier post that i had killed deer to 400 yards and that may have been an irresponsible statement.i agree that these are extreme ranges and these kind of shots should never be taken unless your very comfortable and used to shooting at these distances.i was trained by my father who shot competition long range ,i fully understand the mechanics of long range shooting.i had made this shot hundreds of times in practice .i also knew my caliber and that after i estmated my target at 400+ and that the bullet was going to drop around 30 inches or more ,the wind was dead calm and i had a perfect rest.

[plainsman]

I guess it depends on the hunting ya do, what distance? A friend of mine got a 300 ultra mag, but he shoots pretty long range. I think an '06 is over kill at the ranges I usually shoot at, and a .308 is too probably, but it depends on the situation.

[chambers bd]

Hi Folks;
I shoot a .300 weatherby magnum with 150 grain interbond hornady bullets.
The deer I have harvested have all died the instant they were hit. Shot placement is the one single thing any markesman can do to protect the meat.

A few things you may want to do.

BRASS

BREATH

RELAX

AIM

SLACK

SQUEEZE

Another trick of the trade is to place a coin on top of the barrel of the weapon, while the recoil may limit this with a .300 mag. It works with a .223 and .22 cal real well. It teaches to follow though with the shot. The coin should remain on the rifle and it will greatly increase confidence.

The use of smaller targets at 25 meters will give you the ability to hit at a greater distance. Try a toy plastic farm animal or deer at 25 meters with a .22 cal.

The wind can be tricky, learn to watch the grass or leaves on trees and bushes near the target.

A real selling point for a magnum load is, the wind will have less effect on the flight path, it will effect it some but more power will greatly aid the bullet.

Common sense is the key. If you have not shot at a distance then start.
If your not use to it dont shoot beyond your ability. Know your limits.

We must remain safety minded when we are using any firearm or archery equipment.

Once the shot is fired you own that shot.

where the bullet goes is your doing