moose, sounds like you are suffering from the misinfo. of magnum haters.. I have handloaded for the .300 since I got my first about 1969 or 70.. It is on its third barrel and it is maybe at or near its half life.. Mine is a 700 so the magazine box will let me make full use of the mag. case as I can seat the bullet out as far as necessary.. Often a short magazine box like M77's do not permit you to seat the bullet even close to the rifling..
We have shot everything from 125's to 220's.. the bullet I fool with least was 180's.. It is a great caliber, but not for everyone.. Recoil is a problem, when I shot my first one, I expected to be knocked silly.. I had shot a whole lot of military rifles that kicked much worse..
The short neck has never caused one bit of problem for me when reloading..
