I am considering a medium to LR rifle build. I have a gunsmith and barrel maker in my family so most of it can be done "in-house".

My choice has boiled down to .300 Win Mag or 30-338 Win Mag. I am leaning towards the latter as it is more efficient and at one time created quite a reputation on long range competition.

View are sort on my decision.

You should have said what you plan to use it for. Of the two listed, I would go with the 300 wm. My real choice would be a 7 mm Rem mag.

It's a given that it'll be .30 cal and also a given it'll be a belted magnum, though not an ultra mag. I'd like to have the flexibility of using 200gr bullets for some LR work and I understand that the short .300 WM neck is not ideal for these. Hence the alternative .30-338. I already have a .308 Norma Mag in a (FN M98 based) classic custom rifle and so have a slight leaning towards the 30-338. This one though will be all weather (parkerized metal work and synthetic stock).

Currently shooters are very good accuracy with the 300 WSM, especially in custom, well made rifles. It should be equal to a 30-338 but in a more modern case design. If done on a long action where the bullet could be seated out where it belongs it would be truly exciting.

When I had my Remington Sendero in 300 WM I could shoot the 200gr Sierra Match Kings with no problem and the accuracy was under .5" for 100yds. It had no problem with the 200gr bullets. I never tried the heavier than 200gr bullets in it though.

The 300WM has a good reputation in long range shooting and lots of data out there for reloading purposes as well. Have been told that w/ twist of 9 and heavier bullets, 200+, the performance is quite good. Believe Sierra has some data on this combo. Just a thought

My Sendero in 300 WM shoots the 200 grain Sierra Game King bullets very well.

If you build a Wildcat ...... you better love it as selling it is difficult. If you build a 300 WinMag there is a huge existing base of users.

I'm more retro as the 300 H&H has a v-e-r-y long neck that will handle any bullet and a proven record of long range accuracy.

One of my 300 H&Hs:

.338 win mag is what I made !

300 Win mag

Are you a man or a mouse ?
338 RUM, 300 gr Bergers, that will get Achmed's attention!







The barrel is only 36" and it weighs a mere 20 pounds !

I get a kick out of all the theory of what hunting cartridge is best for accuracy! Funny how much argument on what is best in a given caliber. As far as accuracy the choice of what cartridge to use is the least critical.

Records show the winners caliber in the last 9 long range matches shot in southern Idaho. No caliber restrictions so anything could have been used.

The match winners have used the following.

300 win mag
308
260
30-06
300 WSM.
7mm short mag

Interesting enough one second place shooter was shooting a 243.

The match ranges went to at least 1,100 yards and a few matches went out to 1,400 yards. They were long range sniper type competition fired under field conditions.

It is not the cartridge!!! It is the shooter skill combined with the proper equipment. There are hundreds of cartridges that can win at the long range game. The Ammo, scope and barrel are far more important than the cartridge.

Hunting is the same, hundreds of cartridges will get the job done. I believe a good reloader can make any cartridge shoot accurately.

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