308, 7mag,or 300win.mag need help deciding

[mdavies]

I have been doing all kinds of searches and reading everything I can, but still can't decide. I have shot a 270win. since i was 12 and every gun I have owned has always been a Ruger. Love the 270 but it doesn't seem to be that popular and bullet selection is still sparce.Live in eastern Oregon's high desert hunting mule deer and elk. Also want to use this gun on coyotes (don't save the hides). I'm a one gun nut. Eventually want to build a 20"-22" varmint contoured barreled rifle. Mule deer to 800yds, elk to 400yds. I am slightly recoil sensative (last 7mag I shot was over 15 years ago, it was a wood stocked Ruger with the typical hard rubber recoil pad and it left me unimpressed, however stocks and pads have changed dramatically in the last 15 years). Never liked muzzle brakes because of the noise. I always use hearing protection at the range and have some plugs when I hunt but there is always that time when something jumps up in front of you and you don't have time for the plugs. Read a post where "Michael" (senior member) talked about a break that directed the gases foreward, but no mention of maker. Would definately be interested in that for those rare shots w/out plugs. Gathering reloading components but don't currently reload.
Bottom line: looking at 308, 7mag or 7wsm, 300win.mag or 300wsm in a short barreled, tollerable recoiling rifle. Currently looking at a "Walmart special" Savage in 7mag w/Accutrigger to try out for @$300. If I like it can build on that action. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[ol mike]

Howdoo ,

I'm recoil sensitive -my cut-off point is a 270 w/ 140gr bullets in a sporterweight rifle.
I'd guess a 308 w/ 168-175gr bullets is in the same ballpark if not more recoil ,w/out a brake i'd say forget the magnums .

Have you seen the berger 150gr vld in .277" =270cal. ?
They have a bc of nearly .6 and would do well on mule deer to 800yds and elk at 400 -i guess.

I'm not clear on whether or not you have a 270 now ?
Anyway -personally i'd shy away from the big 300's w/out a brake -and maybe look at 6.5 caliber also.

Not sure about a brake that blows the pressure forward? That would seem to go against the way a brake works?

[AJ Peacock]

Weight is your friend in reducing recoil.

Also, reloading will enable you to create the exact amount of recoil you want.

I'd go for a 7mm Mag that weighed 11-12 pounds. If you reload, you will be able to create the perfect rifle/load combo for your needs. The 7mm Mag gives you the best selection of bullets in the weight range you would want for low recoil applications.

AJ

[bwaites]

I think AJ hit it on the head, although I would go 7mm WSM because of the shorter action and more efficient powder columns of the WSM's.

Bill

[Willys46]

Hear would be my choices if I were you.

Heavy 7 Rem mag like AJ seggested or a 7-08. You get the bullet selection your looking for with limited recoil.
Then the step up form that would be a 280 or 280 AI (if you reload). You do not lose much velocity over the 7 rem mag.

For the savage..yes you can build off it. The $300 one I would look at upgrading the stock right away. Once you get the action you can call Pac-nor and get a prechambered in something else you you like.

[AJ Peacock]

I think Bwaites and Willys46 have it down!

Get a Savage with the correct boltface for the 7mmWSM, order a heavier stock for a heavy barrel contour, call Pac-Nor and order a heavy 7mmWSM barrel and you will be all set!

AJ

[mdavies]

Thanks for the help. Other than the 308 which is common in shorter length barrels, is one caliber better than another concerning the ones I mentioned in a short barrel? Also,does the 7wsm use the same bolt face as the 7mag?