$1,500-2,500 budget for a 300 win mag, what would you pick?

Joined
Sep 23, 2019
Messages
70
I am looking at getting a high-quality rifle chambered in 300 win mag that is made in the USA. I have a decent budget for something on the higher end and would like some suggestions. I primarily hunt whitetail, black bear, and elk in the mountains at ranges from 200-600 yards. I would prefer something on the lighter side as I will be hiking around with it but I am not interested in the ultra-lightweight category. I would like to get a rifle from a company that makes their rifles here in the states and has exceptional customer service. I plan on hunting with this rifle for many years with the intention of passing it down to my son.

The Weatherby Mark 5 rifles and Fierce rifles seem to have a good reputation. I am just looking for some info from people that have experience with higher-end rifles.
 

SteveCNJ

WKR
Joined
Jul 1, 2017
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1,064
I have Weatherby Mark V DGR 300 Weatherby Mag. I bought it from the original owner with maybe 65 rounds through it. When I had the box mag installed the gunsmith also glass bedded it. It's a tac driver out to the 500 yds I've shot it. Even before that it is very accurate and if I was a better shooter I'm sure it would show. It loves Barnes TTSX 180 gr. 3240 fps out of the barrel and less recoil than the Sako 30.06 I had. The decelerator pad works wonders. Paid $2,300 used.

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mvrk28

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Mar 13, 2018
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309
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CA
Check out the APR Maverick.


It's a touch above your budget, but you will be getting a Defiance Tenacity action, Trigger Tech trigger and you get to choose barrel length, twist rate, paint scheme, etc.

You can obviously pick whatever chambering you want, so if there is something out there you want other than 300 win mag you have the choice.

I recently got a rifle built by APR and I can tell you they're top-notch.
 
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elkguide

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Jan 26, 2016
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4,666
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Vermont
I have 5 different rifles in .300 Win Mag, (yes I am a .30 caliber addict). 2 are factory rifles, 2 are custom rifles and the one that I grab over the others is a Cooper. The best group that I have ever shot at 300 yards was with that rifle and it was 5/8".

Cooper rifles are out of Stephensville, Montana. Great rifle and great bunch of people to work with.
 

JakeSCH

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Jun 14, 2020
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976
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San Diego, CA
I bought a CA Mesa Ti (~1700) and swapped out the stock with Mesa Precision Altitude for about $2400. It has been a great gun.

On the flip side, the Fierce Rival is legit and I would look closely at it, especially because it comes with a 1-9" twist. I would have gone with Rival if it was out at the time I made my purchase.
 

G8ters

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 12, 2020
Messages
216
Get a project. It’s worth it. You get to put what you want. Rifle stared out as weatherby accumark 7mm rem mag. Sweet smooth strong action and sweet 2lb trigger. Bought it used for 1k. Sold the stock and barrel for 425. Added a $650 carbon six 300wm feather weight 1/9 24 inch pre fit carbon barrel. Spent 630 on AC composite stock. Approximately 2000 spent including smith fees. Shoots approximately 1/2 inch. Group is at 200 yards. Weighs 7lbs 9 oz.
 

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TX_Diver

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May 27, 2019
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There's a seekins havak PH2 in 300WM in the classifieds right now for $1800...


I'm not looking for a 300WM and I'm tempted...
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2016
Messages
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Location
Fort Worth, TX
I have a Fierce Fury 300WM that I love, the new rivals looks sweet too.

Action is like ball bearings, great trigger, really nice 4rd mag and I love sako style short bolt m, throw 3 lug action. Stock is nice but the paint has chipped pretty easily, I don’t really care though.


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AirborneEScouter

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 23, 2018
Messages
283
Location
KS
As much as I hate saying spend another $1,000 I have been here. All the rifles above are great, my buddy has a Fierce that is light and shoots great and another one has the CA Mesa - all great factory rifles. For me though, my favorite hunting rifle is a full "budget" custom - I say budget because the tenancity is not a one-piece action, the recoil lug is not machined into the action but it's still top notch. The tenacity sits in a manners MCS-T carbon stock w/ a proof barrel and though it's a 7 mag, it's still one of the most accurate rifles I own shooting 1/3 moa with factory hornady hunting ammo. Plan on upgrading to 300wm when I shoot the barrel out but here's an idea of a custom rifle and all the costs to build it:

MCS-T Elite Tactical (Manners Stocks) - $659.36
PTG Bottom Metal (Pacific Tool & Guage) - $109.00
Proof Carbon Sendero (Stocky's) - $759.64
Trigger Tech Special Pro Curved (Eurooptic)- $202.49
Defiance Tenacity (my gunsmith had this on hand) - $1,041.96
Gunsmithing (River's Bend in Weston, MO)
Install barrel blank - $269.94
Thread Muzzle - $118.77
Full Bed Job w/ Aluminum Pillars - $286.13
Final Assembly - $75.58
Total - $3,522.88

This includes tax and delivery of all the parts. I did get a veteran discount on the stock and trigger
 

plentycoupe

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 1, 2013
Messages
250
I think the Fierce is a great rifle yet the OP is looking for American made.
 

CaliforniaMuley209

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 21, 2018
Messages
213
Location
California
so many options. you can build a semi custom for 2000 or 2500 and make it exactly what you want. lots of great factory guns out there too.
 

LoganT

FNG
Joined
Feb 7, 2021
Messages
3
Location
Boise, ID
I have a Fierce Fury 300WM that I love, the new rivals looks sweet too.

Action is like ball bearings, great trigger, really nice 4rd mag and I love sako style short bolt m, throw 3 lug action. Stock is nice but the paint has chipped pretty easily, I don’t really care though.


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The 1/2 MOA guarantee is hard to beat! My 28 Nosler is sitting at my ffl waiting for me when I return from my businesss trip. Verified Target ended up having less than 1/4 MOA. Pretty stoked
 
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