Browning X-bolt Varmint Special .300WSM

[thehulk]

Hey guys, this is my first post so go easy on me! I have a few questions regarding my setup. Please be direct and to the point, I am not thin skinned.

1. I purchased a Varmint Special .300 WSM. I bought it because its a Browning, and because the stock is really neat. Furthermore, I went with the .300WSM because I plan on hitting the 1K mark, steel plate with hopes of that once in a lifetime elk hunt. I have time and money (to an extent) in regards to learning to shoot that far, I've taken successful shots up to 350 yards with my 7MM RM, but this will be my new baby.

X-Bolt Varmint Special Stainless, , Browning Firearms Product

Without stringing this portion out, my question is, why am i not hearing more about this gun, and can I achieve my goals with this rifle?

2. I have the Vortex Viper PST 6.5x24 glass. Will this be enough scope for the task?

Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 Rifle Scope FFP - FREE UPS - PST624F1M, PST624F1A

3. I would like to use commercial ammo, but I can have some made (reloading buddy) so, which ammo (brand,gr) would you recommend. Now, I realize I'll need to shoot different ammo in my rifle to see which works best, but that why im taking opinions with hopes that I'll pick the best choices and wont have to settle for anything less.


Thank you guys for your time, and I appreciate any and all constructive criticism.

 

[thehulk]

Elevation is around 800 FT above sea level. Temps range from 15-70 degrees F.

Prone position from a bi pod/sandbag.

 

[4bycamper]

Welcome to the site. Good looking rifle. ( I went to the website and looked ) 300 wsm is a good choice and I think it will work well for you. If you can get some custom loaded Berger VLD, Barnes TTSX, or Nosler AB ammo you will be good to go on elk. They are much tougher than deer.

Seems that Brownings aren't as popular because it's too hard to find accessories for them. That's not the case with me. I'm hunting with a Browning more often than not. The 7 SAUM A-Bolt that I built is one of my favorites. Havn't killed anything with it yet but I'm working on it. gun)

 

[thehulk]

Welcome to the site. Good looking rifle. ( I went to the website and looked ) 300 wsm is a good choice and I think it will work well for you. If you can get some custom loaded Berger VLD, Barnes TTSX, or Nosler AB ammo you will be good to go on elk. They are much tougher than deer.

Seems that Brownings aren't as popular because it's too hard to find accessories for them. That's not the case with me. I'm hunting with a Browning more often than not. The 7 SAUM A-Bolt that I built is one of my favorites. Havn't killed anything with it yet but I'm working on it. gun)

Thanks brother, I really enjoy the style of this gun. I'm hoping it will perform well for me. So, do you believe my optics/rifle combo can work for 1,000 yard shot? Also, would you recommend any commercial loads for elk, at say 600 yards +-?

 

[4bycamper]

Thanks brother, I really enjoy the style of this gun. I'm hoping it will perform well for me. So, do you believe my optics/rifle combo can work for 1,000 yard shot? Also, would you recommend any commercial loads for elk, at say 600 yards +-?

You bet ! Elk and to a lesser extent deer are BIG targets. I would only use 6x at 500 yards on elk. Shooting up to 1000 yds you might want more power to try to discover any wind effect. Any wind at all can really move your shot around at 1000 yds.

Get a bale of hay and some brown wrapping paper for a 1000 yd target. Maybe start it at 300 yds and keep moving it back. That will tell you a lot about your scope. And burn some powder.

 

[thehulk]

You bet ! Elk and to a lesser extent deer are BIG targets. I would only use 6x at 500 yards on elk. Shooting up to 1000 yds you might want more power to try to discover any wind effect. Any wind at all can really move your shot around at 1000 yds.

Get a bale of hay and some brown wrapping paper for a 1000 yd target. Maybe start it at 300 yds and keep moving it back. That will tell you a lot about your scope. And burn some powder.

What do you mean, when you say 6x? You talking magnification? I'm still learning the lingo!

 

[Browninglover1]

I contacted Browning to try and buy the stock that your gun came with to have a better stock for bench shooting with my X Bolt 300 WSM and the company that builds the stocks said they haven't got them into production yet....I asked them how people could own the gun if the stocks weren't in production and they didn't have an answer. hahaha

I love my X Bolt. With the 185 grain Berger I was able to hit a 24 inch steel plate 8 out of 10 times (missed the first two shots adjusting for wind and putting a little less elevation in my hold) at 1000 yards. That's not a real impressive group at a grand, but it was extremely gratifying for me with a light weight rifle and my first try at that distance.

How do you like the feel of the stock?

 

[WildRose]

Man I don't know if that thing's going to shoot well for you or not but the "Oh **** What a Cool Rig" factor is very high!

Typically Brownings shoot very well, but I'd do the standard floating and bedding before I started wasting ammo.

Do that, torque your action bolts properly and you'll find out much quicker what will/won't shoot well in it.

You have plenty of scope and a O MOA rail should be more than adequate to get you to 1,000yds.

Lots of good choices in factory ammo but I'd start with Winchester Supreme, Federal Fusion, and Nosler Custom.

I'd also start with 180's and see how well they'll shoot for you.

 

[ishootkittens]

Basically, I dont care for the looks of the rifle. Of course I am not a target shooter, id say that stock will be a KILLLEr on the bench tho! Really cool that u got a browning! alota guys dont care much for the brownings! .300wsm is a great caliber!!! i think u have alll u need, but i would look into custom ammo! goodluck buddy

 

[thehulk]

I love the feel of the gun, I'm left handed but can shoot right handed so it works for me. And a little switching up of the grip when shooting left handed makes it not too bad. But I think everyone should practice left and right handed.

I'm having some problems though, I've called place after place and no one has the 20 MOA scope base for an Xbolt Browning..... So im going to use a parallel mount and hope I have enough adjustment in the scope to reach out to 1,000 yards.

Can anyone tell me how many MOA i'll need to reach 1k, the link to the scope is on page number 1. But for quick reference its a 30MM tube with 65 MOA adjustment. Where is my scope gonna run out of adjustment, 700 yards or so?

 

[thehulk]

Man I don't know if that thing's going to shoot well for you or not but the "Oh **** What a Cool Rig" factor is very high!

Typically Brownings shoot very well, but I'd do the standard floating and bedding before I started wasting ammo.

Do that, torque your action bolts properly and you'll find out much quicker what will/won't shoot well in it.

You have plenty of scope and a O MOA rail should be more than adequate to get you to 1,000yds.

Lots of good choices in factory ammo but I'd start with Winchester Supreme, Federal Fusion, and Nosler Custom.

I'd also start with 180's and see how well they'll shoot for you.

I should really start reading thoroughly....... SMH


oh and its already glass bedded and free floating.

 

[WildRose]

I should really start reading thoroughly....... SMH


oh and its already glass bedded and free floating.

I ran some generic numbers for a 180gr .490 BC at 3100fps MV and showed 26.2 MOA drop at 1,000yds.

I would think those should be pretty close for you.

 

[thehulk]

I ran some generic numbers for a 180gr .490 BC at 3100fps MV and showed 26.2 MOA drop at 1,000yds.

I would think those should be pretty close for you.

You da man!


The 180 Grain Winchester ballistic tips velocity is 3010FPS which is the fastest i'll be shooting with 180 (unless handloaded) /

So, how many clicks would I have to use?

 

[WildRose]

You da man!


The 180 Grain Winchester ballistic tips velocity is 3010FPS which is the fastest i'll be shooting with 180 (unless handloaded) /

So, how many clicks would I have to use?

What is the click value on your scope?

Your scope dial should have graduations on it already. I'm not sure if they are MOA or Mils or???

Usually you have numbers like one through 10 or 12, maybe even 25 and then hash marks in between.

Read up on your scope and it'll tell you the click value and how it's graduated on the scale.

No need to make it harder than it is, the scope manufacturers try to make it easy for us as long as we read their user manuals.