Howa 300 win mag

[quackkiller]

Ok so I just got a new howa 300 win mag it's the hogue combo with the scope. First off the gin is awesome! A little heavy but shoots like a dream in my books. Well I went to sight it in and was shooting the cheaper federal 180 grain in the blue box to break it in, and then the fusions to sight it in, well I am havin a little trouble I can throw a few tacks then the next couple are off, scope rings and base are tight but could it be hat he fusions were a few years old? Or would more expensive ammo like hornady be better? I am also thinking about going to 165 grain as well, not 100% sure yet. Thanks!!!

[superdown]

Some guns just don't like certain ammunition.There's nothing wrong with the federal blue box it's fine ammo.I would pick up a few different brands of ammo and see which one the rifle get's the best groups with make sure you give the barrel plenty of time to cool down between groups (usually three shots)and then adjust the scope to those rounds. That scope may be just fine but i would upgrade to a Leupold or Redfield Etc.. asap I had a howa 308 with the hogue stock and it was an awesome rifle   

[Henrydog]

Yup, 2nd the change up in ammo.  Son has a Howa in .308.  Shoots 180 Coreloct soft points as a tack driver, but 180 Coreloct PSP like crap

[quackkiller]

Ok I will do that, what grain do you recommend? My buddy shoots 165 in his 7mag and his dad and uncle shoot 180 in there 300's. I am planning on dropping the bomb on a vortex pst after my truck gets new injectors!

[Henrydog]

I would try a box of 165's and a box of 200 grain to see if one of those gives you an improvment

[Bmcox86]

Try the Barnes 180s and Barnes 165, both shoot great in my 300

[quackkiller]

I will grab a few boxes, between the two which do you prefer for deer? Have you shot nosler?  Also what scope do you have on your 300?

[superdown]

I have shot deer with 270win,30-30,325wsm,358win,and 50cal muzzy. As long as you are using a well designed big game hunting bullet in commercially loaded ammunition that is accuratee in your gun.I wouldn't worry about the brand,weight,style or a few feet per second velocity.The deer be will dead and it won't be able to tell what you used just don't over think it.Have fun and good luck.

[Firedogg]

 Set your cell phone up next to you to video you shooting, watch to see if you get a little flinch after a few shots that you did not notice.

[quackkiller]

Good advise on setting up the phone to see if I flinch, I will be doing that!! Also good point on the deer won't notice the difference, I just am curious because this is my first rifle, I am an archery hunter I have never killed anything with a rifle. but am going to Idaho for the first time this year. And I am bringing a rifle!!! Haha anyone have any suggestions on a good scope that won't kill my bank account? I really am leaning towards the vortex pst but some influence might help haha

[superdown]

I love my Leupold VXIII 2.5-8x36 on my 325wsm it wass about $400 out the door when i bought it.I am a leupold fan I have m8 2x pistol scope on my cva scout pistol i have a 1.5-4 Leupold scout scope on my marlin 30-30 and i have a Leupold rifleman 2-7x33 as a spare that i have had on a bunch of different rifles over the years.

[jasnt]

You won't be disappointed with the PST. Most 300wm I've shot all liked the the 180's. Mine seems to shoot the 210's a little better.  Sounds like it could be a hot barrel situation. After 3-4 rounds my barrel would burn you. I shot 3 max then let cool till the barrel can be held a few seconds with out discomfort.  After you get your scope consider a bed job. Also 1 thing that has improved my shooting with magnum cartrages is dry fire practice. Before and after shooting. I dry fire a few rounds while set up for the shot just like you would to shoot a round. Then shoot one the dry fire a few then shoot one. You will see the difference.  Before you get that PST do some research on proper parallax adjustment. It's crazy simple but will greatly improve your groups beyond 300. If you don't plan on shooting farther skip the PST and go with a viper hd

[RadSav]

I've had a few guns that really did not like running one brand on top of another brand bullet.  A friend of mine turned me on to CR-10 bore cleaner and it seems to have made one heck of a difference.  My thought is that I was not getting all the copper out of the barrel and changing the make up of the copper, with the different bullet brands, was causing the issues.  Now those guns that I thought were extremely finicky seem to like everything I load - if run after a full cleaning.

[quackkiller]

Thanks for all of the advice you guys, I will give that cleaner a try before I go out next, and I also think it may have been the case of a hot barrel as well. Have anyone of you guys shot or know anyone with a vex-3 4.5-14x50 CDs?

[RadSav]

Have anyone of you guys shot or know anyone with a vex-3 4.5-14x50 CDs?

Assuming you mean the Leupold VX-3...I have four of them in 4.5-14X40 and two in 3.5-10X40.  Also have a few others that are not CDS.   For the money spent it's dang hard to beat.  I've purchased more of them over the years, but every time I go to Canada my guides ask for my scope instead of a tip.  Guess they like those Leupolds too!

[quackkiller]

Haha that is funny! Yes I am talking about the leupold vx-3 4.5-14x40. What would be better a 40 or a 50 though? I don't know a whole lot about scopes yet!

[RadSav]

Haha that is funny! Yes I am talking about the leupold vx-3 4.5-14x40. What would be better a 40 or a 50 though? I don't know a whole lot about scopes yet!

40 or 50 in quality glass seems to be a personal preference.  My cheek weld preference and my stock preference usually have me shooting mid-height scope rings on Leupold bases.  So in most circumstances I can not use a 50 without interference.   But I have shot friends Weatherby's and the 50 is really nice on those.  I'd likely have a few if I had guns that fit me well when using them.