I'm hoping in the next few years to hunt moose, elk, caribou, dall sheep and maybe even grizzly. Plus I've got a bear hunt to Idaho booked for June and a trip to South Africa planned for August. I've got a 30-06 but.......... lately I've looking for a rifle a little lighter and maybe with a little more power than my 06. I'm thinking of buying a Remington 700 SS BDL in 300 saum, add a High Tech stock and maybe have the barrel fluted. By doing that I think I could be down to around 6 3/4 pounds, bare rifle. Add talley rings, a light weight Leupold and I hoping for 7.5 pound. Not one of JimF's 6 pounders but still about a pound less than the 06 I have, which sort of covers the light weight problem. After doing so research the 300 saum seems to yeild about 200fps more, across the board, than my 06. Yes, with more recoil. But, my question is........ is it worth it??

The grizz thing is what is throwing this off for me. If grizz was in the cards I would just go 338 or 375 H&H and be done - large enough step up over the 06 to make it worth your while. You may want to contact Ken Howell on his new 338-06 based wildcatt - he's been talking bout it lately over at 24hr. Under the "Jim Carmichel explain yourself" thread.



If I was looking for just a little more than the 06 the Shamu would do but FOR ME I would go the 300wm/wsm instead just me - I see the wm/wsm becoming more and more popular- Ruger is known for running rifles that are not in the front running of sales (your 6.5 sweede) yet they don't do the shamus but do the WSMs.



Just my .02

Mark, have a look @ the new M700TI in .300SAUM, it sounds like exactly what you want to build, less the fluted barrel. The only downside is (2) down the mag. If I had a good 06, I probably wouldn't bother. You could also have the 06 rechambered to 06AI for about 100fps more vel.

As far as that caliber for Grizz. I think I would feel better w/ bigger bullets, but it would do w/ 200gr premiums. Even better, have your 06 rebarreled w/ a light, wt. bbl. in .338-06.

I don't see any point in it, especially if your existing rifle works well. Your replacement might not work and end up in an orphan caliber. For grizzly, moose and elk you are better off with a 338 anyway.

mark65x55,

If I were you I would forget the idea of the .300 RSAUM. It is not selling and may not be around long. You want a "short magnum" then go with the .300 WSM. It is the run-a-way favorite of short magnum shooters. Besides if you are going to hunt big bears then get a .338 Win. Mag.. Lawdog

For elk and moose the shamu will do the job. But for grizzly...the 50BMG would be more to my liking. Dont know if I would wanna go the lightweight route on that one though. All jokes aside...I like guns with a lil horsepower. Everybody and their brother has an 06. And they are fine rifles. But I would go Rem Ti in the shamu. Just my .02.

First of all I would not take a rifle chambered for an unpopular cartridge on a trip. For hunting out of my vehicle fine. That rules out the 300 SAUM or shampoo or whatever.

As far as the Remingtons go I would not buy one for game hunting. It's just that they don't appeal to me as I favor CRF and better designs.

Your problem is not easy to solve as money counts. Your spending it on a lot of hunting which is good and what you want to do. For those of us who have dozens of rifles it's easy but for me to pick just one rifle that will hit the ground running out of the box is not that good a bet.

The least expensive thing to try is to see how Hornady Light Magnums shoot in your existing 30-06. The most effective thing to do is to practice with the 06 as it will take just about anything when aimed right. Beyond that many here lean to Sako to get it right on the first try. Just don't pick an unpopular cartridge.

My decision, based on my likes, would be to order a Kimber 8400 Montana. They may be shipping some this summer.

I agree with most of the posters here,
The 300 saum is to small a step up from the 30,06. If you have a hankerin for a short action powerhouse, I would get a 350,rem mag. Stii a little light for griz though, I have a 338 win and to me thats where real griz rifles start.
I also might sugjest streamlining your 30,06 for lightweight stuff and (just my opinion here) forget a light weight grizzly rifle, my first choice would be a 375HH.
...tj3006

I vote 30-06

I thoroughly agree with MajorCaliber.



The one-time head of the Alaska game Department, Hosea Sarber, probably killed more grizzlies than modern Alaskan guides are ever likely to run onto...and he did it reliably with a .30-06 with 220 gr. Remington Core-lokts and 220 gr. Western Tool & Copper Works slugs.



What most hunters are lacking is not firepower. It is

1. Cool headedness when faced with the unexpected, and

2. Shooting ability.



Both can be attained with practice.



With those two and a good 220 gr. RN SP bullet, I firmly believe the '06 is perfectly adequate for any grizzly that ever lived. They are real animals, not dragons. Thunderbolts of Thor not required.



My $.02 worth. YMMV



A.C.

The 30-06 sounds fine to me...If I were going a bit further north where the Alaskan Browns get near 10 ft. squared, then something larger would be more appropreate but for Grizzley the 06 with 180, 200 and 220 gr. Noslers suits me...