Chuck Hawks opinion of .300 RUM and its "rebated rim"

[Kevin]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/300super_mags.htm

I am still in research mode making sure the .300 RUM Sendero is what I want and came across Chuck Hawks article.  Since he seems to be speculating and you guys have these rifles, I'd like to hear your opinion of this article and your .300 RUM.  Have you guys experienced any loading issues in re: to the rebated rim of the cartridge he mentions?

1000yds is the farthest I plan to shoot and plan to use it for big game hunting and of course target shooting the rest of the year.  I saw the 6.5-284 build video and am curious about it.  I would imagine it will become popular because the military uses it and ammo will become plentiful for it, if not already.  Does this cartridge have the power I need and should I consider it for my purpose? 

[Sean P.]

Most of what he said in the article sounds about right.  As far as case life, I have been getting about 20 reloads per brass.  A lot of that is due to the fact that I reload with special attention to detail and I anneal all my brass. I have not experienced any loading problems and I only re-size the necks.  The recoil does suck, especially from a factory rifle.  By the time I was done with my rifle, it was 16 pounds with a muzzle brake and was pretty pleasant to shoot.  The 6.5/284 is a dream to shoot.  Not only is there just about no recoil, the 6.5/284 is inherently an extremely accurate cartridge.  Mostly used for target shooting, it can be used for hunting too. However, I don't think that it will have the kind of energy you would like at 1,000 yards for an Elk.  Lucas could give you the most insight about the 6.5/284, so I would drop him a email if you like.  lucas@longrangeshooter.com

[Mike OBrien]

  Kevin, the 6.5/284 is spectacular and sounds like it would fit your purpose nicely if you do not want to shoot an Ultra Mag.

[Lucas B.]

There's enough energy available from the 6.5x284 to take deer at 1000yds, you'll find videos on youtube of guys using it to take Elk at nearly 1000yds, it can work but hitting a rib or other bone could spoil such a shot. I wouldn't recommend against using this cartridge on Elk at such distances. As a target cartridge it's really tough to beat. The accuracy is excellent, the recoil is almost nonexistant, they're fairly low cost to shoot (brass is pricey but lasts a long time). The only negitave for the cartridge is barrel life. If you compete (or put allot of long range groups on paper) you'll notice accuracy loss by about 1200 rounds. If you're more of a long range plinker you may not notice untill 1600 rounds or more... my buddies haven't got that far yet, but I'll let you know. The biggest plus is having magnum ballistics in a cartridge without the magnum recoil.

The rifle from the build in the video is doing very well. I went over the the east side a few weeks ago and the guy who owns the rifle (my buddy's brother) was making cold bore hits on 10" rocks from over 700yds. He shot a coupple shots at 100 to confirm zero and they were through the same hole(from the hood of his truck). Since that build my buddy Jesse has built a 6.5x284 on a trued Remington action and it's a real shooter as well. We were making hits cold on "15" targets from 961yds. My 7wsm has better ballistcs but I think the 6.5x284 is a better way to go for target shooting due to the lack of recoil, and great wealth of good load info.

[Mike OBrien]

 : Hmmmmmm :

[Sean P.]

I wounder how the .300 Ultra necked down to 6.5 would do 
Probably to much gun for the bullet

[Mike OBrien]

  Probably the same as the 416 necked down to a .300, or possibly a new smoke pole'!!!!  LOL

[Kevin]

Thank you guys for all the info.  I'm anxious for the day I finally make a decision and buy a hunting rifle.  I am thinking I should take my vacation to Yellowstone and Glacier with a stop by Idaho to spend a day shooting with you guys before I make up my mind.

[Sean P.]

Just let us know when you are coming and we will be ready 

[Mike OBrien]

   We'd love to have you Kevin, be a great time! Be sure to give us some time to schedule and we'll make it for sure. :{)

[Chopaka81]

There are a lot of "anti-magnum" folks out there. I detect a bit of that tone in his posting. I just took delivery of a 300 Rummy, 30" barrel with a muzzle brake. Outfitted it with a 4-16x50 Nikon Monarch X MD scope on a 20 moa rail. I should have enough come-ups for 1500 yds, but not 2000yds.

The gentlemen is right about slow burning powders.

To date my rifle only has 3 rds down the tube, all test fire shots for functionality at the gunsmith. I did shoot one of those shots and the brake brings the recoil down to that of my Tikka T3 Lite in 270 WIN.

Do not be affraid of the RUM's, they are good cartridges. My brother has a stock M700 LS in 300 RUM and it shoots 1/2 moa - no sweat.  If you go with custom barrel, it should only get better.

Don

[Mike OBrien]

  That's right Don, they are very nice. I have about 100 rounds out of mine now and it has been seasoned well. The last 100yard group I shot with it was about 3/8" with Seano at the Spotter! Next weekend we'll hopefully be out at the 1900 yard range and smokin' some steel!   :{)

[Wadcutter]

I would not be too concerned about what Chuck Hawks says with regards to long range hunting/shooting. The type of long range hunting/shooting he talks about is more the traditional method of having a scope set at a fixed height above the target at 100 yards. This gives a maximum point blank range which he would then stay within.


It is totally different to that practiced by the modern experts in the field who range a target then dial in on their scopes. This permits a hunter to engage a target at much greater distances. In doing so, the modern Long Range Shooter may pick a calibre entierly different to what Chuck might.

[X-man]

Hi all!
This seems like a great friendly site so I thought I would drop in and say hello!

I own Ultras in 300, 338 (338 Edge now), 375, and I am currently working on a 416 Ultra project.
If you want high performance you need a large case and the Ultra delivers all that can be readily fit into a standard (Remington/Savage) action.
Along with serious powder capacity and big bullets comes recoil...Aside from a brake there is no getting away from that one.

As much as I like my 300 Ultra a beginner starting out at the long range hunting game might be better off with the 300Win.  A fair bit less recoil,  longer barrel life (you need to shoot a lot as you learn) and still delivers most of what the big RUM does....Long range killing power!
If you really don't like recoil a Sendero in 7mm Rem mag might be a good way to go. Combined with a big Berger the 7mms make a pretty good LR combination.

Anyway, whatever cartridge you choose you are going to love shooting "way out there"!

Take care!

[Sean P.]

You are absolutely right on that one X-man
I plan on turning my gun into the Edge this spring and am really looking forward to it.