110BA 300WM OK for a newbie to precision shooting?

[derek1387]

So-I have a guy wanting to trade a 110BA 300WM, 11 boxes of Hornady Custom ammo and a custom cut pelican case for one of my higher end AR's and 500rds of ammo.
Trade value I would be coming out WAAAAY ahead, I already know this. I am not worried about that, and trying to not let it sway my decision

My concern-Newbie to precision/bolt guns. Is this gun going to be too much for me? Is it something I can learn on? Or should I start with something smaller?
Most of the ranges close to me are under 125 yards, but I do have a few within a few hours of me that are 6-800+

[mattri]

300WM is a LOT of cartridge for 600 yards, let a lone 125. If it's what you want than by all means go for it.

Would also be helpful to know what you want this rifle to do.

[derek1387]

I want to learn precision shooting. Tired of just wasting lead.

[olddav]

Looks like fun, but it might be a tad exspensive to shoot unless you reload.
In my opinion (not worth much) the 300 WM is a bit on the stout side to learn on, but with the muzzle break it might be okay.

[derek1387]

I agree, and I do reload, but he would be including 220 rounds of ammo. NOt sure how much a typical range day with a precision gun runs....but i would think thats a decent amount

[Maztech89]

Id get it and shoot up a few boxes of ammo and then take the barrel off and sell it or save it for hunting or whatever. Then Id buy a 243, 22-250, 6br, 6mm etc barrel that will shoot those same distances with ease but without the noise, recoil or cost. But that's me...

[bootsmcguire]

Id get it and shoot up a few boxes of ammo and then take the barrel off and sell it or save it for hunting or whatever. Then Id buy a 243, 22-250, 6br, 6mm etc barrel that will shoot those same distances with ease but without the noise, recoil or cost. But that's me...

+ 1

[drybean]

+ 1


+2

drybean

[Freebore]

Can those short actions be used on the long action 110ba?

[Maztech89]

Yes, I have two long actions that are a short action cartridge and have zero problems. I never have to worry about my rounds fitting in the magazine either.

[thermaler]

Looks like fun, but it might be a tad exspensive to shoot unless you reload.
In my opinion (not worth much) the 300 WM is a bit on the stout side to learn on, but with the muzzle break it might be okay.A tad expensive ESPECIALLY if you reload!

I put a Kantrol brake, beefed up the stock and installed an sss trigger on my 111 hunter in 300 wm--shoots great but have no idea how well at long ranges.

[Freebore]

Yes, I have two long actions that are a short action cartridge and have zero problems. I never have to worry about my rounds fitting in the magazine either.

Not trying to hijack this thread I'm just curious and not very knowledgable. Would the op have to buy another bolt too or is the headspace cut into the barrel? Also you must be limited to the type of cartrige because of base diameter too, correct?
to the op, I say go for it!

[bootsmcguire]

Not trying to hijack this thread I'm just curious and not very knowledgable. Would the op have to buy another bolt too or is the headspace cut into the barrel? Also you must be limited to the type of cartrige because of base diameter too, correct?
to the op, I say go for it!

To answer your questions No, Yes, and No. The beauty of Savage is the ability to set headspace via the barrel nut and the interchangeable bolt heads.
Here are some links that may be helpful to you and the OP:

Basic Bolt Tear Down and Reassembly (http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?266-How-To-Remove-A-Stuck-BAS-and-Disassemble-Bolt)

Blind Magazine Removal and Identification (http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?269-How-To-Remove-Your-Blind-Mag-Body-and-Follower-(SF-and-CF))

What Fits What Cartridge List (http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?264-What-Fits-Cartridge-List-(PDF-version))

Savage Bolt Head Configurations (http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?131-Savage-Bolt-Head-Configurations)

All of these came from the Savage FAQ (http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?123-savage-faq-s) section here on this site. There are a bunch of good reads and tech info in there that should tell you just about anything you want to know about Savage 110 series and Axis series rifles.

Sorry for the Hi-Jack participation, now...........:focus:

[mtHunter82]

The 110 BA is an AWESOME rifle. I have one in .338 Lapua, and the recoil is nothing with the factory muzzle brake. It's a bit on the heavy side, but the accuracy is phenomenal. And once you get the precision long range bug, you won't go back to regular shooting. If I had to choose between my 110 BA, or my customized AR, I'd take the 110.

[Oscarflytyer]

I owned a 300 WM for a long time. Loved the gun. VERY VERY accurate. Shot it a bunch over 30 yrs. Great caliber. Great for long distance precision shooting.

Now the downside - IMO it is NOT a beginner caliber!!! You have to shoot it a good bit to get behind it. And NOT be recoil sensitive. When I was younger, no issues whatsoever. As I hit late 40's/50 - AND had major shoulder surgery, it was less fun. Another thing that helps a LOT is the proper stock. I put a Bell and Carlson on mine, and the higher comb was a godsend!

Now the silver lining - IF, and ONLY IF, you reload, then you can load the 300 WM at any level from 300 Savage (or lighter w/ youth loads?) thru 308 and 30-06 to full house 300 WM with 190 Match loads.

My recommendation - IF you are willing to do a lot of reloading work to get various recoil level loads, and put in a lot of trigger time, then you should be fine. If, otoh, you want to just shoot mostly factory, and not put a LOT of trigger time in, then I would suggest going with a 308 hvy bbl. Think you would be much happier.

[mtHunter82]

A 300 Win. was my first long range gun. I learned a LOT reloading for it, and was getting ranges out to 1300 yards before it fizzled out. The recoil is stout on a gun WITHOUT a muzzle break...but the BA has a HUGE muzzle break (unless this is a model of BA I've not seen yet), that'll reduce felt recoil to that of a 243 (I can watch bullet impact on 12x on my scope, at 100 yards with my .338 Lapua!) or less. Problem with a lot of 6.5s....BARREL EROSION! Unless you're shooting a 6.5x47 Lapua, you have to keep your barrel cool, which means shooting only strings of 3, then waiting 5 minutes with bolt open so your bore can cool (not my idea of a fun range day). The 300 Win. with heavy bullets, is a bore friendly cartridge, so you can do lots of shooting when you go to the range. Plus if you ever want to shoot over 800 yards, that baby will do it. Now if you're set on 800yds and under, .308 or even a .243 (with the heavier bullets) is great. And if you want to pay big bucks for brass, and spend days looking for bullets (the 6.5 is the newest craze), the 6.5x47 is great for upwards of 1000yds.
I'd go with the 300 and when you've expended the ammo, reload the brass (you should get 1000 rounds worth of reloading out of 200 pieces of brass).