I am going on a elk hunt with 3 other shooters with a 300 win mags. So when trying to find a gun to update my 7mm I have to decided to conform and buy a 300 win mag (don’t want to hear about it if something goes wrong). My goal is this to be a dedicated Elk gun with a shorter barrel to mount a Banish 30 on the gun. When looking at rifles my number one concern is to be as reliable as possible. I have narrowed it down to 3 choices but i am open to others if I have missed something.
#1 Bergara B14 squared Crest. I like alot about this gun but have a few concerns. Will a 300 stay stable at distance (600-900 yards at max) with the 22 inch barrel. Bergara stayed with a 1-10 twist while I have seen others have went to a 1-8 or 9 when shorting the barrel. With it being so new I have not seen any real reviews on the the 300 wm. If there is one out there does it feed well? Did they used a existing action and mag or is this something new. When Jim did the TIkka video he compared it to a Bergara B14 that had issues.
#2 T3x LITE ROUGHTECH. This gun I think will be the most reliable but is only available in a 24" length. Is 2" of the barrel worth all the trade offs? I go so back and forth as I type this it might be my #1. Another candidate here could be the T3x LITE ADJUSTABLE but then you get again 1-10 twist and M15 threads.
#3 X-Bolt Speed Suppressor Ready. I like this gun and can get around the trigger by putting in a Timney. The question I have now contradicts my concern with the two above. Is the 1-8 twist a good thing? Will you have to use special bullets with the higher twist rate? Anyone have experience with this twist rate on a 300 wm?
#?? did I miss one? I like the Fierce but the lead times and some of the reliability comes into question with me. I like what Jim has said on all of his reviews about a good action that feeds a round every time.
Sounds to me like you’re prioritizing feeding. Smart.
That being the case, I’d go for the Tikka Roughtech (I happen to like the Ember) and not think twice.
However, the B14 Squared Crest is a HECK of a gun! The only feeding issue you’ll face is single feeding when the gun is tilted to the left. From the mag you’ll never have problems. Without looking at specs, I’d imagine it’s lighter than the roughtech and FEELS very premium.
Xbolt are good guns if you replace the trigger but I don’t think it’s playing in the same league as the tikka and Bergara.
I also like a 22” 300 win, but 2” wouldn’t be a big deal unless you’re adding a suppressor, and if you do get one, you could always cut the barrel down.
If it were me, I’d lean toward the B14 Squared Crest but it’d be a close fight so if price or looks made you prefer the Tikka, it could break the tie.
Just an FYI, I have shot several of Bergara’s .30 caliber rifles and they all preferred 165 grain and up bullets. My stalker is sub half MOA with the Barnes 168 grain load, My highlander shot Sierra 175s the best. This should not be an issue for an elk rifle, just thought I would give you direction to start with factory ammo. My only concern with the Tikka is recoil, they don’t have the best stalk design. If you do go Tikka, consider a Manners, Mesa or AG Composite (through Oregon Mountain Co) stock. There are also several companies that put a Tikka action and Proof Research barrel in one of the fore mentioned stocks, but you are looking at close to $3K.
A single shot is best of both worlds. A 24” barrel feels
like a 21” barrel in a bolt action. Feeding is consistent at all angles. Jim had a video of his with a suppressor on it. Not sure if they have that on 300WM. I have one in TC pro hunter and I love it. So much so it has become the only rifle I hunt with. That might change when I get the 7PRC up and going. But the TC is a joy to carry in thick stuff and in general. Their rear stock design seems to me to really suppress recoil. Sadly they ruined that company.