Tears on my Pillow

[mrgaf]

WAH WAH WAH... been saving for over a year and a half for a Hawkeye Sporter, left handed, laminate, 300 WM and I just found out Ruger has discontinued it! I can get a 7mm Rem Mag but not really big nuff for Alaska Grizzly or Kodiak even though I'll be bullwinkle hunting. Likewise a walnut stock version would never last where I hunt it would be thrashed and trashed in a couple of seasons. Oh well... boo hoo... :-(

 

[Watergoat]

They dropped it means they were slow sellers. This means there are several out there, and probably cheap. Check CDNN, Ellet Bros, etc. Somebody has one sitting there gathering dust, and would LOVE to get rid of it. The net is truly our friend here. Gunbroker, Auction Arms, etc, as well as every wholesale house in North America. Did they make it in 375 H&H, or better yet 9.3x62?

 

[Beachbum]

So you have about $800 bucks burning a hole in your pocket and you're upset? Hard to feel sorry for you. Seriously though, maybe you should move farther south where the game is smaller. A 7mm mag would be a kick ass round in Florida. The sun might hurt you a bit, though.

 

[mike-c]

Greetings,

For that kind of money, you can get a 375 RCM, and it is better suited for moose and bear.

Mike 8)

 

[Rocdoc]

As said earlier, CDNN has a lefty laminate at $570 in their current catalog in several cals including 300WM.

 

[mrgaf]

Ok knew I should not have said anything. Went online looking at all sources I knew of and nada in the 300 WM. figured so e here woud Have an idea or link. As far as that goes, I see I was rite and have some leads. As for moving south well no can do since I'm a lot further south than Florida.... Hawaii to be exact. We got plenty of big game here, Axis deer, big horn sheep (aka Mouflon), so no shortage for my 30-06 or 7mm-08. Lived in Brooksville Fl for about 10 years before moving here (military bought me here in 85). If you've ever stared down the snoot of an Alaska bull moose or had to come dangerously close to a griz that smells your game or you (shoot, I gave him the moose) then you will understand why I will not be undergunned again and decided to save up for almost two years and sell on of my "safe queens" to get some of the cash for a new rifle (also carry a 454 casull). Shot my friends 375. It was nice but the recoil was a bit much for me and I can handle the push from the 300 WM and maintain good accuracy. Anyway thanks for the advice and comments.

 

[SteveRuger]

IMHO....Just get a 375 H&H it works well up there & has brought me home nice animals from up there! & there is ammo in all the villages! I have seen them in left hand versons, The kick is mild. J/S

 

[mrgaf]

Once again thanks for all the advice. Spoke with my good friend up in Fairbanks (he's the one I hunt with each year) and on his advice will keep bringing my 30-06 Savage 116 loaded with 200gr fodder, My 454 Ruger and add a lightweight 12ga cruiser pistol grip shotgun with extended tube mag, 3-3/4" chamber with staggered loads of mag 00 buck & slugs carried in a leather back pack with a scabbard for the shotgun. Where we plan on going this year is known for big moose, big boo and BIG grizzly, especially sows with cubs. Not going to nail Yogi bear but just in case. A little more weight but that's ok. Love hunting the big stuff after 20 years of hunting spotted deer in Hawaii and German Sheppard sized deer with huge racks in the bay area of Florida. Gotta fly into the area so it will be an experience! Thanks again!

 

[txpitdog]

Mrgaf, I wish you luck in hunt for your rifle. I just got a lefty laminated sporter in 30-06, and it is a fantastic gun! I think the 300win mag will work great in the rifle, and with the bolt handle on the left side look much classier as well.

 

[308longdistance]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=258437200

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=258708648

 

[mrgaf]

Well after much thought I finally decided and ordered a 300wm M77 Hawkeye Stainless Laminate Leftie from CDNN for $569.00 + shipping. Got me a NIB 3x10 Zeiss Conquest sitting at home and will top the Ruger with it. Glad the search is over and YOU guys made it possible with your leads. I do have one question though.... Most of my loads will be full house loads but if needed, can the 300WM be "downloaded" to 30-06 performance levels? Anyway, will let ya know when it gets here and will post pics....

Mahalo Nui Loa (thank you so much)!

 

[txpitdog]

Yes, the 300 winnie can be downloaded, but from what I have read the way you do it is to use a different powder that produces less velocity at a max charge. Something about bottleneck cases not handling less than full cases as well as the straight wall cases do. Someone here far more experienced than I should be able to set you in the right direction.

 

[Major T]

I second ....dog's answer. Consult a reputable loading manual (on line to Hornaday or others, if you do not have one). My news stand version of the Hornaday has reduced loads for most calibers. As stated, you will need faster powders than you use for full house loads. Do not drop below minimum loads with the slower powders to stay away from disaster. good luck, jack

 

[SteveRuger]

I love Happy Trails! J/S!

 

[mrgaf]

Once again thanks for the advice. It is well taken. Been reloading for 20 years but never for magnum calibers. Will consult all my manuals for further guidance. Think I'm going to stick to factory 180gr loads for the time being. Any recommendations?

 

[wwace]

I have a few ideas for you, first off if you are doing a fly in just take your rifle, it is all you need anyway. A pilot will freak when you show up with that much weight and the ones I have been with will go through your gear and leave behind stuff they think isn't neccesary.

A 30-06 works fine for bears, all your 300 winmag does is get more velocity on the same caliber bullet, its all about shot placement anyway. As far as bullets I would use Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claws or Swift Aframes, either will perform better than any other bullet made in my experience. I have only hunted Alaska since 1969 so maybe I have missed a few things, but maybe not.

 

[MMichaelAK]

Never seen a moose that needed a 300WM because a 30-06 bounced off or a brownie that was 30-06 proof either.

A good 220 grain in a 30-06 will do just fine for brown bear.

Now don't even begin to think Id say not to buy a new rifle. I won't.
Enjoy it.

 

[BearStopper]

Sounds like a reasonable response. The 300 WM is about as much as I care to shoot on a regular basis also although occasional toying with the big boys is fun.

Ok knew I should not have said anything. Went online looking at all sources I knew of and nada in the 300 WM. figured so e here woud Have an idea or link. As far as that goes, I see I was rite and have some leads. As for moving south well no can do since I'm a lot further south than Florida.... Hawaii to be exact. We got plenty of big game here, Axis deer, big horn sheep (aka Mouflon), so no shortage for my 30-06 or 7mm-08. Lived in Brooksville Fl for about 10 years before moving here (military bought me here in 85). If you've ever stared down the snoot of an Alaska bull moose or had to come dangerously close to a griz that smells your game or you (shoot, I gave him the moose) then you will understand why I will not be undergunned again and decided to save up for almost two years and sell on of my "safe queens" to get some of the cash for a new rifle (also carry a 454 casull). Shot my friends 375. It was nice but the recoil was a bit much for me and I can handle the push from the 300 WM and maintain good accuracy. Anyway thanks for the advice and comments.

 

[mrgaf]

I have a few ideas for you, first off if you are doing a fly in just take your rifle, it is all you need anyway. A pilot will freak when you show up with that much weight and the ones I have been with will go through your gear and leave behind stuff they think isn't neccesary.

A 30-06 works fine for bears, all your 300 winmag does is get more velocity on the same caliber bullet, its all about shot placement anyway. As far as bullets I would use Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claws or Swift Aframes, either will perform better than any other bullet made in my experience. I have only hunted Alaska since 1969 so maybe I have missed a few things, but maybe not.

Point well taken.... hindsight being 20/20 decided to forgo heavy artillery. Did pick up a 300WM Hawkeye left laminate stainless and it shoots straight and true and the push aint bad with 180's and 200 gr fodder. SO far ran up some reloads with the Nosler partition 200gr and shot into .75 @ 100. Nice push but nothing that will matter in the field. Where do ya hunt in AK. I'm up in Fairbanks area at about the 52 mile marker along the Steese highway (other side of the Chatanika River or a couple of miles from Davidson's Ditch) or we float down the Tanana guess about 20 miles or so...... Beautiful camp and nice harvest.... Merry Christmas!