Cheaper .300 win mag or .308/7.62x51?

[Sand-Dragon]

Looking into buying a remington 700 and I've come at a crossroads. A friend of mine is trying to sell me a remington 700 in .300 win mag and assures me that generally, win mag amm is cheaper than .308. I prefer the .308 because I find it to be a more practical round for my needs. My needs being hobby shooting/long range shooting. I don't need to shoot out to a mile. I like that the .300 win mag is a better cartridge, in my opinion, but I don't need all that power. Any advice from long range enthuisiasts?

 

[bobbittle]

.308

 

[Sand-Dragon]

Pretty much what I figured. Thank you.

 

[sgreen3]

There is nothing about .300 win mag thats cheap! 308 all the way.

 

[Colt556]

You need a new friend.

 

[bobbittle]

Pretty much what I figured. Thank you.

You really answered your own question.

You can still get out to 1000y with a .308.

Here's a decent thread on comparison

300 Win. Mag. vs. 308 Win. - The Firing Line Forums

 

[cwillour]

Check prices.

At PSA:

Prvi Partizan .308 168gr HPBT Match 20rds -- $15.99
Prvi Partizan .300 Winchester Magnum 180gr SP 20rds -- $18.95

Pretty close here, but it looks like 300 win mag is pretty consistently more $$ for equivalent ammo.

 

[gunman41mag]

The 308 is cheaper, but the 300 win mag will be better at targets farther than 800 yards

 

[walleyepw]

1. Cost - .308 ammo is less expensive than 300 win mag ammo.
2. Accuracy depending upon the gun, most of us are not fully capable of the accuracy of a firearm in all shooting positions.
3. The recoil of the .308, given the same bullet weight, is less than the 300 win mag. Much easier on the shoulder.
4. The .308 unless going for large bears, is good for all the big game in North America.
5. More selection of different rifles in .308.

But what is most important get a good firearm, with quality optics and have fun.

 

[sloughfoot]

300 Win Mag is not any fun to shoot. Unless you have a specific need for all that power, I would pass. Cost is a concern, but should not be the only concern.

If you truly need a 300 Win Mag, nothing else will do.

 

[Mosinguy]

Doesn't .300 Win Mag wear your barrel down especially fast?

 

[Sgt7330]

I dont know about barrel wear, but my M77 300 win mag wears my shoulder down fast. Yes, it is more expensive than 308.