model 70 300 wsm?

[Lund6771]

Hi guys...first timer in posting and elk hunting....going this fall..here's a bit of back round info

Grown up in MN and only been exposed to slug hunting for deer...I think I've shot a rifle twice in my life and that was at a range....my recently passed father-in-law (cancer) left me his model 70 300 wsm....this fall a few family members booked a guided hunt in Montana in his honor since it was a dream of his to one day go....but unfortunately he never was able to make it since the cancer/treatments hit to hard and to fast

So my question is will this gun be able to take a bull down from 300-400 yards without it being a perfect kill shot?.....I really hope it is, because it would be extra meaningful to use!...also this gun does not have a scope....so if the gun is a solid option, can someone shed some insight on a great scope?...and of course loads?

After getting the right set up put together there definitely will be a ton of time spend at the range figuring out my limits

Thanks a lot in advance....sooo excited as it may be only a once in a lifetime trip for us

Have a great weekend!

[WapitiTalk1]

Sorry to hear about your pop in in law passing. Yes that's a good elk round (my dad's favorite for years in MT), yes get a scope (will let smarter cats than me chime in on make/type. I haven't hunted with a rifle in many years). And.......welcome to the forum. Good luck this fall.

Edit: Shows you what I know about boom sticks anymore. Thought the OP was talking about a 300 Win Mag (that's what my pop used for many years in MT) but seems the caliber being discussed is a Win Short Mag. I'll watch this thread and maybe learn something about the round.

[AlexG]

Sorry about your father-in-law passing away. That's plenty of gun for what your intended use is, as far as a scope make sure to get good glass any brand will work. I personally prefer Leupold seam to hold up well to the abuse i put it through every year elk hunting.

[Indian Summer]

The .300 Win Mag is probably the most popular caliber out there. The short is a fine one as well and that gun is a great elk gun. Your father in law did his homework and you have a fine gun.

You might start with some factory ammo loaded with Nosler Accubonds. They are also a favorite among elk hunters and people who may need to shoot longer distances. I'd try those if you reload too for sure.

As far as scopes go.... in recent years many brands have come into the market. But if you ask an old schooler like me Leupold is the way to go. Tough as nails with a super solid reputation among big game hunters. Lifetime unconditional warranty even if you weren't the original purchaser. Every gun I own including slug gun and muzzleloader has a Leupold on top. They have affordable models such as the VX-1 that will serve your purpose. But if you can afford it look at the VX-3. A 4.5-14 variable power is a great model. 4.5 is low enough for timber hunting and the 14 will come in very handy in open terrain. That scope on your gun will be an excellent elk rifle for sure.

Good luck and welcome to our happy humble home sir.

[Ghost]

Lund, Im so sorry for the loss of your father inlaw.

Ill second leupold, they make a great product at a decent price, look around message boards like this one and craigslist, you should be able to find a good used one.

be able to take a bull down from 300-400 yards

If you plan on shooting at those distances, do yourself a favor and do some serious practicing at those ranges using real life shooting situations, shoot from a bipod, shoot off a back pack, shoot kneeling, shoot, shoot and shoot some more, get to know your new rifle.

[Elkduds]

So my question is will this gun be able to take a bull down from 300-400 yards without it being a perfect kill shot?.....I really hope it is, because it would be extra meaningful to use!...also this gun does not have a scope....so if the gun is a solid option, can someone shed some insight on a great scope?...and of course loads?

I also like Leupold (VX3 or better), and Vortex is popular w members here. Elknut1 is Vortex dealer, customer service 2nd to none. 10X is probably sufficient magnification for most shooters out to 400 yds. Most elk are shot @ under 200 yds. RE loads, partition or bonded bullets in the 165-180 gr. range will provide the ballistics and terminal performance to maximize 300 wsm.

After getting the right set up put together there definitely will be a ton of time spend at the range figuring out my limits

A wounded and lost elk is no way to conclude a great hunt, 1st or 20th. After you have determined your "limits" on the range, recognize field positions, high altitude, weather, adrenaline, wind, daylight and countless other factors will further limit your effective range on game. A poorly placed shot @ any range on elk-sized game is unlikely to kill.

Welcome, best of luck, keep us posted as you prepare for your big adventure. Condolences for your loss.

[Fridaythe13th]

The gun is plenty good. Try different brands of big game bullets (Winchester, Federal, Hornady, Remington) and let the gun tell you which bullet it likes. See what has the best grouping.
For scopes, set a dollar amount. If you have $300, $400, or $500 bucks for a scope look in that price range. I personally would not go below $200 for a scope an any brand (Burris, Nikon, Leupold, Vortex)
I have a vote for leupold myself, here why. In may younger years every sales person who was trying to sell me a scope always said.. " look at the glass on the scope it's just as good as a Leupold". My thought is if everyone is trying to be like Leupold why not buy a Leupold.

I have shot elk from 10 yards to 507 yards all with a 3X9 Leupold.

[Lund6771]

you guys are true gentlemen...pretty much what my stereotype of elk hunters always has been

Very much appreciate the condolences...it was the first close family member that I have seen pass other than grandparents from age....it was a 2 year cancer battle that was difficult to watch....Tim Mcgraws song Live like you were dying quickly became a song we listened to a lot...its really made me value life every day and be so thankful for a wonderful wife and 4 great kids and all their great health...my father in law was an avid sportsmen and I loved hearing all of his hunting/fishing stories over a shared 6 pack on late afternoon drives on the gravel

sorry I'm not tryting to be a downer...the trip this fall will be one we'll never forget!..i'm super happy that you guys feel the gun he left me will be adequate...makes everything much more meaningful

I have a TON of cabelas points saved up so I can pretty much get any scope they offer....and will start trying out different loads...if anyone has some proven favorites please share

Thanks again for everything guys....this is a great place I stumbled onto!

on a side note my wife and I were in Phoenix for a wedding this weekend and went for a 12 mile hike in the mountains....I thought I was in great shape until I experienced this!....and of course I was in light clothes, with running shoes, and not carrying anything!....the thought that kept crossing my mind was the strength and endurance elk hunters must have to hike at least that far daily with all that gear....I better start amping up my workouts!

[Shawn032]

Lund
Sorry for your loss.
I have a model 70 Shadow in 300 wsm with Vortex scope. I love this rifle and it will do the job just fine.
Good Luck!

[pointysticks]

that rifle will be perfect.

[ST52V]

A range finder maybe helpful as well.

[Indian Summer]

A range finder maybe helpful as well.

Definitely! I'll never forget the 3rd mule deer I ever shot at. I killed the first two with one shot easily. On the third one I had a solid rest and he was feeding calmly. The shot felt perfect. He kept feeding. The 6th shot felt perfect too. But he bounced off after that one. It took forever to walk down to where he had been standing and when I got there and looked back I realized it was like 6 or 700 yards!

For ammo I like Federal Premium Vita Shock. Well... my gun likes it I should say. I reload but when I'm using factory that's what works best.

[dotman]

Sorry for your loss, the 300wsm will push a 185gr bullet out to 750 yards and easily kill an elk ethically if you are capable, so yup it'll easily do the job out to 400 yards.

I have a Kimber 300wsm, great cal, it isn't far off from the 300wm in performance with 185gr and smaller bullets but if you go over 200gr the 300wm starts to put some space between the two pretty fast, case size is the limiting factor in the wsm but only with the larger bullets.

Only factory ammo I have shot out of it was 1 box of Barnes when I first got it, it was plenty accurate but I started reloading for my setup immediately so can't give you much info on factory ammo.

[Lefty]

Lund,.. lots of good info for you above. Sorry about your father in law,.. I lost my mom and dad to cancers.

Im originally from Mankato,... Well North Mankato
Start doing lots of plinking with a .22, Convert your shotgun skills without the recoil. You may really need someone to coach you through that process, not a shooting coach just someone who can quickly ID your bad shotgun habits. When I set down my shotgun for a rifle deer season I try to shoot a few nights with a .22 to rid myself of bad shotgun habits. Dont be afraid to use your new scope on the .22, until I was 30 years old my .22 scope was the same scope I used on my .308.
Just make sure not all your practice is on a bench with bags. sit in the wet grass, shoot over a pack, find your best kneeling position, use a shooting stick, bi-pod a tree , a plain ole stick for a rest,
Shot down hill, side hill, uphill Use that .22 and shoot gophers later this month, if your in bounty county shoot some feral cats, Squirrel hunt in September . Practice properly ( not fast) shouldering your .300, again properly not fast,.. in every position possible
There are plenty of good guns and good elk loads..
As far as shooting distance, my father-in law would only wanted me ( and other newbies he hunted with ) to take elk shots on my first hunt where I would never miss on a paper plate,..