Afternoon gents, I may be looking to build a LW .300 Win Mag, looking for real life weights on build.

Either a pre-64 or classic action, McMillan Edge, PT&G LW bottom metal, #2? Krieger or equivalent.

What have you built, what did it weigh?

I’m going to see if I can find some of my notes. I had planned on a similar build a few years ago. I don’t remember the specific details of weight, but my plan was a featherweight contour tube, in a hunters edge.
Watching this thread for sure.

1954 Pre 64 nickel plated action, 24” Shilen #2 SS match select barrel, control rings and bases, Leupold 2.5x8, Brown synthetic stock, 1” Decelerator. 8# 2oz.

1954 H&H receiver 338wm, brown PoundR. 7 pounds bare rifle:



The beauty in this build is the weight and 5 round capacity (4 in the box and 1 in the chamber). Little do most know, the H&H receivers are your huckleberry if you want to go light and better mag capacity. Win win... Just sayin...



Its not only lightweight, but it shoots better than most as well:

That’s a good point, I hadn’t considered. The h&h receiver. I suppose that may safe a couple/few ounces of trimmed material.

BSA, perfect.

Sell it to me so I can rebarrel.

Screw that. That 338 is damn near perfection. Im also one that prefers it over the 300wm. I actually like all 300 magnums more than the short necked bastid.

@bsa1917hunter
do you have build specs on that rifle? Any chance you may have created a thread as you built her?

my 300 H&H turned out about as light as I 'd want a 300mag. It's a pre 64 H&H action, factory BM, Echols Legend stock with edge fill, Lilja #2 @24" with a 3-10x42 swaro Z3 in talley LWTS' it's about 7 3/4 lbs.

I can tell you my Mashburn has a 25" #2 Bartlein (turned to match Kriegers 2) with an EDGE shelled Legend, P64 H&H action, Blackburn BM, Warne Mountain Tech 1" rings, Warne bases and a 6x36 Leupold and it goes 8 1/2 pounds with a couple of round in it and a Montana Sling. Hope that helps. I built that rifle off Bob's specs, and to be honest, when I rebarrel I may go a whisker lighter in contour, but as it is, it is a shooting SOB and carries real well for a fast 7. I'd build a 300 mag on the same blueprint.

Thanks gent. Good info.

your choice of a 300 Win . Mag. is a excellent choice,Winchester pre64 action is a great choice too, stock choice too, i myself have used alot of different barrels and to be honest Brux barrel maybe builds the better precision barrels now. i would also consider Greg Walstrom at Straight Line Machine a very fine machinist to put this rifle together for you. Greg builds alot of National Bench Rest rifles in 1000 yd,600 yd and more, he has had some rifles that have won the titles too. 320-272-4897 is Greg `s number.

Thanks Pete.

I will most likely send the parts to Gene Simillion should I decide to proceed.

If this is for that sheep hunt I use that 300 RUM you got.. my sheep hunt last year not once did I say man I wish my rifle was lighter. I was saying damn wish my old fat ass would of lost 25 more lbs..

That it is.

Funny, I weighed the 300 RUM action last night with PT&G LW bottom metal, and Talley LW. Came in at about 5lbs 6oz

An edge (doable on the RUM?) would add about 1lb 10oz, so we are at 7lbs roughly.

Would scope with a Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44, another 15 oz, so 8 lbs all up, assuming the edge would work.

A Brown poundr (again, doable?) would subtract about 8oz from the total.

I would tote 8lbs, but perhaps a Kimber Montana in .30-06 would be a better all around choice?

I'd go with a little lighter barrel next time around on my 7. Did the 2 this time and something along the lines of a 1.5/1.75's sorta contour would shave just enough weight to get me closer to a flat 8.

I don't think I'd do an EDGE fill on a RUM. EDGE shell like the Legend with Standard fill would probably be safer and a more predictable stock. Don't know though, just going off what Darcy mentioned to me about the bigger jugged magnums.

Sounds like a slick build though, I'll be watching to see what you do and how it comes out. I think an 8lb flat, all up 300 magnum is a good rifle that'll serve most hunters real well.

I have a sub 8lb .338 Win Mag that shoots the 225 TSX into tight groups at 2900 FPS

Built on a classic stainless, barrel bobbed to 24", sits in an Bridges Edge. I hunt it here in the Adirondacks every so often.

Envisioned it as my bear/moose rifle, as I never expected to be able to afford a sheep hunt. I realize it will do the job on sheep as well, but honestly, who needs a .338 for Dall?

338 fits in anywhere a 30-06 does in my opinion.
My favorite caliber by far.

30-06 will be a great choice for the sheep hunt. I packed a 270 winchester in a model 70 classic sporter bedded into all terrain stock last yr. but if you don't find a legal ram and find a brown bear you will probably want more than a 270. So that 338 would be perfect😁

Other options are a Montana in 280 Ackley, and a 7lb 14oz M-70 7mm Rem Mag, both shoot the 160 Accubond at around 3050 FPS.

I know you wrote crf and this is the Winchester site, but having shot a .300 WM Pre-64 M70 back before I could afford my own rifles, I didn't much like the recoil and the older I get, I'm enjoying recoil even less. Anyway, you are going add some addition weight with a crf over a push feed action. You asked for actual weight of a build and I just weighed my 7mm RM with my Normark digital fish scale at 7 pounds 2 ounces.

Here is the recipe:
M700 Remington action
#1 taper ss 24" barrel
Brown Precision Kevlar Pound'r stock
2.5-10x42 Swarovski PH scope
Conetrol rings and bases
Hard chrome plated action
Full camo painted

About as perfect a mountain rifle as I could have put together and my elk were just as deceased as my buddies elk were with their .300 WM and .338 WM's. Even a light 7mm RM recoils some and mine is too big for around here, so it will be on the be in the classifieds sooner or later.

When Kimber came out with that 280 AI those things sold like hot cakes to sheep hunters up here in Alaska. now most are using 6.5 CM and the 280 AI have been relegated to the safe.. Call me mr nostalgia but I chose a winchester because that's what Jack O'Connor used for his sheep hunts. I think the perfect rifle would be a stainless classic featherweight in a chambering of your choice.. if I sheep hunt next year I'm going to use a blued featherweight classic in a 270 with 150gr Sierra's. Finding a new haven classic featherweight getting harder and harder.

I saw a beautiful classic featherweight chambered in 30-06 the other day for $450.00 . I cant believe the prices of some of these classic rifles lately. I damn near bought that one, but i need another 30-06 like i need a hole in my head.

The op should have bought my 7wsm i sold on gb. It would have been an awesome donor for a 6.5 prc build.

Windfall, appreciate your input, but.....no.

BSA, I passed because I know you will tire of that 338 eventually.

Sheep hunters are a weird bunch, when it comes to weight most will only take a handful of cartridges for their rifle. Some take 10 extra rds us what’s in rifle magazine. It’s all About weight like I said they are a weird bunch lol most sheep hunters been bit by the bug and there drive for the lightest and best is crazy. I have a $400 sleeping bag weighs hair over 1Lb, my tent weighs less than 3lbs. If you use magnum you only have 3rds in the mag, So is 2 extra rds in the mag that big of deal all depends who you talk to.. also I’m no hardcore sheep hunter, I’m a novice..

But never hurts to have an excuse to build another rifle though 😁 but I would concentrate on buying tent, sleeping bag etc. don’t know when your hunt it fall of 20 or fall of 21.

I have a custom Pete Grisel DSB small ring Mauser stocked by Ottmar that I'd love to hunt sheep with.

.270, shoots 130 Partitions at 3100 over the standard load of H4831SC.

But with grizzly on the menu, and inclement weather probable, I dare not.

79S, 2022.

Take me that long to pay for it!

Oh you have time for sure then 😁 are you hunting with Jake Jefferson?

That's the plan

That screams JOC right there!

Do you mean you have a griz tag as well? Or you’re just going to be in griz country? Seems like if you bumped up to a 150 Partition you’d be well healed for both and be in the mountains with a classic.

Hell yes. When I had a 270, that is the bullet I decided on for an all around do anything bullet for around here. I ended up buying a chit load of them from SPS and then sold my 270 fwt to someone that wanted it more than I did...

I will have a grizz tag as well.

How does one prep a custom walnut stock for rain?

Putting wax in it is one way.. true oil gun stock wax.. I’m
Sure others have better ways/ideas..

I’d make sure any unfinished areas such as the barrel inlet, action inlet and recoil pad area get a bunch of Marine Spar Varnish. Other than that, if the woods sealed well I’d be good with it. Sounds like a beauty.

Keep the 280 and split the difference

I hunt that 280 AI in the Kimber that's for sure. I have no issue using 160 AB on brown bear.

I am leaning in that direction.

Oh, I don't know about that one buddy.....

Thankfully I found it locally and couldn't pass up the deal. It looked ratty when I got her:




You don't know how many times I painted that stock, to get it just right!!!

Its one of my rifles I'll probably never tire of and never sell. Its built right and the Brown PoundR stock has ergo's that help to mitigate the recoil of the 338wm. It's really not too bad to shoot. I've shot heavier 300wm rifles that just pond the chit out of you ,but this one is not bad at all... I love the looks of Scotty's Legend stock on his, but I don't believe they make the legend in Edge fill, or maybe Echols just changed that. If wanting to build something super light, I'd go with this PoundR, as I believe they don't recommend the edge fill in anything over 300wm in recoil level. The op is wanting something light, the PoundR is your huckleberry... See pic with scale above. That is my pre 64 338 wm before cerakote and paint...



It wears a 3.5-10x42 Zeiss conquest in PRW mounts now, so it's a damn solid/dependable rifle...:

Heres a pic of it in action just a month ago... The 338 hammers critters, big and small... Near and far... I wouldn't hessitate to use it on a big sheep. However, I wouldn't hesitate to use my Tikka T3x superlite 6.5 creedmoor, (or newest 300WSM Tikka T3 Deluxe) either... It just depends on what the op wants to be out there carrying around that day, I suppose... If I were going to take a long shot on a critter, I might just use a 300 magnum......... Here's that Tikka I just mentioned:


You could dial out to a different zipcode with this one... No sheep would stand a chance...

Nyrifleman,

My .280 on a pre-64 action goes 6.3 pounds sans optics and mounts. It's simply awesome. It's a blind magazine configuration, with a 23" tube. Pushing 160 ABs at 2850 there isn't much near or far I don't feel perfectly equipped to handle.

Stock is a LAW stock fwtw...

Here is my boy from this fall with the 3rd elk that particular rifle harvested this fall...

It even works on mulies…

The point is...nothing cooler than a pre-64 in a lightweight handle. Randy's (handwerk) .300 takes the top prize as far as I'm concerned, and I'd follow that blue-print if starting over.

Dave

So how much should one expect to pay for a magnum length pre 64 action?

Would 1100 be fair?

Market seems a little soft. $1100 strikes me as a little high, but they may vary considerably by location. Keep an eye peeled for a user type complete rifle. They can sometimes be had in the 1250-1400 range. Barrels and stock will bring around $200 each.

H&H magnum? They still bring good money, however, sometimes you run across a stellar deal, like one of my more recent purchases. A rechambered 300H&H. Its a 300WBY now and i paid $499 for it. Good deals are out there.

I know where a nice pre64 in 300 H&H is at for $1399 I don’t know anything about pre64 but it looks all original.

I have a line on one at $1100, but like BSAs idea of looking for a .300 Weatherby built off a 300H&H.

Ill tell you, it was a popular thing to do, way back in the day. I love mine.

I had one as well, but it stunk for accuracy. Ended up making it a 375 Improved.

Still, I got the rechambered rifle in the first place for a skosh more than BSA paid for his.

I'd buy it for the action to build a .300 Win.

Have a Classic in the Weatherby

Its too bad that weatherby didnt shoot well. I remember drooling over that rifle. I got extremely lucky when i found mine. Its a great shooter. I wouldnt trade that rifle for a pristine all original 300wm.

Here’s one for you to ponder. Mark Penrod put the final touches on it.

Nice! Particulars?

McMillan hunters edge. Shilen select Match #2 @ 24”.
PTG bottom metal. Total blueprint, bedded, etc. feeds like glass, shoots even better.

Weight?

Second rifle Is a 300WSM, built on a #2 Hart 1-10” twist. McMillan edge stock, PTG bottom metal. Tricked out to the gills. It’s my sheep rifle.

Very nice rifles there sakohunter. Those red pachmayr recoil pads look good with any color stock, don't they?

I concur!

X3... all of mine get red pads these days. SAKO, those are sharp, well made rifles.

Those deals are out there, but you have to be patient and check a lot of gunshops. Every once in a while they will turn up and you just have to be quick on the wallet.

Thoughts on one of Justin's rifles?

https://pre64win.com/collections/the-custom-shop/products/the-pre64win-com-mountain-rifle

I’ve looked at those a few times myself. I’d imagine he isn’t putting out any junk. Price isn’t bad either.

I'm thinking about giving him a call asking him if we could use a H&H action, PT&G LW oberndorff bottom metal and perhaps I could supply a McMillan Bridges.

Brown with red pad.

What's not to like?

They appear to be nice rifles.

Your plan sounds like a winner to me, sir.
Keep us posted on what you find out and thoughts of the conversation that you have, please.

That would be cool, to see what Justin will do for you. I havent seen him posting here lately. Probably because hes been pretty busy. I think your build sounds great, as long as the ergos of the bridges fits you. Ive heard the grip is a little cramped.

I cannot see a darned thing not to like about that. I see they use a 1” shank on their pattern. .625 at the muzzle. Should be about darned right.

We’re you able to secure a Bridges McMillan?

I haven't called J Earl but I have a new telephone number from a member here.

Sent Justin an e-mail, we shall see.

I don't know probably could use that 3grand on something else.. but fella does build some nice rifles..

I’ll be watching. Plan on calling tomorrow myself.

Also interested in what Justin says.

Just received an e-mail from Justin.

I like that he answers his email on a Sunday!

He says the rifle is doable at under 8 pounds, questions the H&H action;

Quote;

Let’s talk about the H&H (Group VII) action.  Is there a reason you prefer this over the shorter Group VI action used on all the Win Mag cartridges?  The Group VII action suffers from some compromises to accommodate the length of the H&H cartridges which the shorter Group VI action does not have do deal with.  Also, we may have trouble with consistent feeding the shorter .300 Win Mag cartridge from the Group VII action.  Unless there is a compelling reason to go with the Group VII / H&H action, I definitely recommend the shorter Group VI action.

Thoughts?

I’d be indifferent to either action as long as it had a 3.6” mag box on it for the 300 myself.

If I was building a 300 Winchester I’d love a 200 grain Accubond to touch the lands at around 3.575” knowing I’d be backing up a bit for accuracy and still leaving a lot of room in the case for powder.

Either way, I’d want my preferred bullet I wanted to use to be within reach of magazine loaded rounds myself.

Which bullet do you have in mind for the 300?

I'll let the rifle choose between the 180 Paritition, 200 Partition, or the 200 Accubond.

From my understanding of previous posts the H&H action will make a lighter rifle, no?

I say bull f****** s***. I'm a little surprised at his response. Seems like a newbie f****** response to me.

Yes and it will feed and function just fine. I don't know what the [bleep] Justins problem was

Why?

I don’t know to be honest. I’ve got a 338 Alaskan in a Legend and a 300 rebored into a 375 Improved in the same Legend with the same scope and mounts and the 338 is a hair lighter, but I’m talking ounces. So honestly I don’t know.

And solid copy on the Partitions or Accubond. Those would be my choice as well. I think the 200 Accubond would load the longest, so if throating it for that bullet would make the other two very usable.

Also, another NY’er originally here as well. We used to have a deer camp up near Minerva. Whole darned family is down in Schoharie County now!

Take it easy buddy

I’d bet he builds a few of them and has preferences, but I’d like to hear the reasoning. Heck, Darcy will take a Classic over a P64 as well so there has to be something to it.

You ask why John? Because there's nothing wrong with that H&H receiver it'll feed just f****** fine.

Jesus go take your meds.. just an honest question seems to reputable gunsmith looks like he's built plenty of rifles.. I know all gunsmiths have their quirks and preferred actions to build off of..

Watch out you will get ol L train foaming at the mouth with words like that..

If I were a gambling man, I’d probably bet that the h&h’s are fewer and farther in between, and possibly reserved for the cartridges that actually need them to be used.
I’d think it would be similar to having a 300wm donor converted to a 338wm which I did years ago, if I remember correctly a spacer or something had to be used, to allow the shorter cartridge to feed properly. That was in a classic receiver though, not a pre 64.

It will be interesting to hear the continuation of these communications.

I know BSA means well and I am completely sure that any action could be used for a 300 Win. Bob used a 270 Classic action for Simillion to build his Mashburn.



I’d say you’re probably saying some sorta truth in that. My Mashburn is built off an H&H action but honestly I would’ve gone with whatever Kevin recommended since he has to be the one to service it if it were a pile of crap.

BSA, any idea on the actual weight difference between the two?

For you guys wanting to shoot a 200gr Accubond our of a lightweight 300WM, especially accurately, you apparently haven’t shot a 200gr bullet out a 300WM. The recoil is fierce guys! Jar your thatch out bad.

As bad as driving one out of a .300 RUM at 3200?

I think my rum is pussycat I did the MOA challenge with it earlier this year. 20 rds.. was not that bad. I do not like the 300 win mag period, but the ones I shot have been rugers and everyone says Ruger just has bad stock ergos. I do know where a stainless classic in wood stock is at in a 300 win mag.

Yeah, a 300 Win or Wby isn’t too bad if kept around 8-8.5lbs.

The 70 in a RUM was more fun than I liked.

Responded to Justin re the H&H action being lighter, wanting to shoot 200gr AB with a Mag length of 3.600.

Told him I was looking at barreling with a #2 Krieger or similar.

His response;

Thanks for the clarification.  Yes, the H&H action is a bit lighter, and it will permit you to run with your bullets seated higher.  In this case, the Group VII action will be best.  Thee are a few additional things we can do to the receiver to lighten it further, if you are looking to trim all fat from this rifle.  Regardless, with a #2 contour, you’ll have no trouble making the 8 lb goal.

Beretzs, I loaded a dummy round with the 200AB at 3.580 just for the visual.

There's a lot to like there.

He does know you mean 8lb scoped, correct? I know he probably does but it’s always worth mentioning and having the rings, bases and scope weight ready so everyone is working with honest weights.

Yes, twice I specifically asked if the weight included the Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 and Talley Lightweights.

Yes, doesn’t hurt the eyes at all huh?

FYI. Krieger will not make a #2 stainless. I just don’t get why one doesn’t just go with the slick feeding 300H&H. It’s a very good cartridge that is inherently accurate, maybe more so than the 300wm.

Sako - not looking for stainless. Chrome moly will do.

Not sure if you have a barrel yet or not, but I have a 1-8 twist Krieger 2 contour .308 if you’re looking. I got it for exactly the same thing you’re doing but it’s just sitting.

Overall, your project gets me excited. That’s a fairly awesome blueprint. I am looking forward to hearing about the stocks myself.

If you get a 300 Win throated for a 200 AB or Partition at 3.580 you’d really have something if it finishes under 8.5lbs loaded.

@nyrifleman - I’m getting pumped up for you. Sounds like this project is about to kick off. I had done a lot of looking into some of this stuff about 10 years ago for a build and remember that it was quite enjoyable. At least to me. Number two Kreiger on a pre 64 m70, what’s not to like, sir? Bed them into a premium handle of your choice and you’re going to be cooking with fire.
All the best, and by all means, please keep posting your updates and information. Many can learn from others.

Beretzs, if the rifle comes in at 8.5 I will be sending it back for a refund.

I will let you know about the barrel, thanks.

HA! Yes sir. I was meaning fully loaded, scoped and slung.

No sweat on the barrel, it doesn't eat much and seems to be holding up fine in the safe.

Bridges McMillan has been ordered. Brown, red pad.

#2 Krieger, finished at 24", 1" shank. Barrel to be throated for the 200 ge Accubond at 3.580.

H&H length pre-64 action, PT&G aluminium Oberndorff bottom metal.

All metal cerrakoted in graphite.

Talley Lightweights, Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 BT

Saaawwweeeettt!

That sounds like a fine build sheet, sir.

What kind of time frames are expected?

Please let us know how you got in touch for a Bridges stock.

You aren't kidding.. That sounds like I might have to build another!

4-6 months time frame, depending upon barrel and stock lead times.