need tips on becoming more accurate with my 300 win mag

[NW-GSP]

I have shot 30,06 alot but my 300 win mag is hard for me to put a decent group down range.
Im not talking about bench rest, I went out shooting yesterday and I first shot a 50 yards and put two bullets in the same hole I then went out to 100 yards and with just sitting down and shooting the bullets were in like a 6 inch group. I know I am more accurate then that, Im going to get a limbsaver recoil pad due to thinking the recoil is making me flinch, I do not want to put a muzzle brake on the gun.

Any advice is welcome

second question I have is what is better shooting sticks or tripod set up on the gun and if so how long of legs for the tri pod

[Woodchuck]

I would suggest shooting it off a bench and find out if it is you or maybe it doesnt like the ammo.  If it makes you flinch quit shooting it before it begins to effect you shooting other guns. 

[demontang]

Different stock design might help, limb saver will help too. Make sure its not the gun.

[wildmanoutdoors]

So are you flinching, or not? When you squeeze the trigger are you tensioning up more and or blinking? If it hurts to were your flinching you definately need some recoil absorbsion. Does it hurt your shoulder? My 300 WSM lightweight kicks good too but I train my mind to be over matter.
If your not flinching then like Wood said, check it on a bench first.
What ammo are you shooting?

[mebco09]

I had the same problem last year.  Out of curiosity, what brand of gun is your .300?  How about your 30-06?

I hunted with the same rifle for 15 years, a Ruger M77, in 30-06.  In 2009, I decided that I needed another gun, and bought a similar M77 in .338 win mag.  I took the .338 to the range and had myself so worked up that the recoil was going to be sooo bad, that I could not shoot the rifle well.  I shot multiple times over the course of a few weeks, and was ready to give up and sell the rifle or start spending money magna-porting the rifle or going to a heavy stock etc.

Finally, I decided to run a few rounds through the .30-06 and then run a few through the .338 to get a comparison.  What I was surprised to find, was that the felt recoil was WORSE with the .30-06.  The recoil felt more like a kick rather than a heavy push of the .338.  After a little practice, I was shooting the .338 well enough that I might not go back to 30-06.

I guess my suggestion is to try both rifles side-by-side and feel for yourself how close a .300 is to an 06 in terms of recoil to get the mental aspect out of the equation.

Definitely go with a benchrest to eliminate any operator error.

[carpsniperg2]

I would suggest shooting it off a bench and find out if it is you or maybe it doesnt like the ammo.  If it makes you flinch quit shooting it before it begins to effect you shooting other guns. 

Spot on! shoot from a bench to check the loads/gun. Then shoot from other area's to check your shooting

[jackelope]

Have your buddy load your gun for you and don't watch him. Have him not load a round randomly. You'll know if you're flinching that way.

[carpsniperg2]

Have your buddy load your gun for you and don't watch him. Have him not load a round randomly. You'll know if you're flinching that way.

Another very good trick, you will learn a lot from this.

[jackelope]

Start simple too...make sure your base and ring screws are tight, etc. What kind of rifle?
Maybe you need to try some different ammo...maybe your rifle dislikes the ammo you're shooting.

[CamoDup]

Start simple too...make sure your base and ring screws are tight, etc. What kind of rifle?

I was just typing the same as you posted it... I have had that happen to me.  Also, sometimes if you have a cheaper scope on a gun that kicks hard it could throw it off. Similar to dropping it on the ground...

My best advice is to just go get a .300 Weatherby Mag. 

[NW-GSP]

I will try to get out this weekend and shoot it off a bench, I shot it a couple weeks ago while laying down and resting the gun on my back pack and the groups were good. I think you guys are on the right track with me flinching a little. I will be sure to tighten the scope ring mounts and mounts. I am just shooting 180 federals out of it and it is a remington 700 with a synthetic stock.

I have shot it and then my o6 and it does seem to kick less then the o6 sometimes depending on if I am standing sitting or laying down while shooting.

[Bob33]

My advise is to sell it, give it, or leave it in the gun safe.  Developing a flinch is a very bad habit to break, and you already have a 30-06 which is more than adequate for most everything you would use a 300 on.  Once you start flinching with your 300, you'll most likely start flinching other firearms.  Shooters that develop a bad flinch habit can even flinch with .22s.

[NW-GSP]

I think there are a couple problems wich when combined are causing the larger shooting group. I think that if I work on my technique on how I hold the gun and how it fits into my shoulder will help cause it seems like sometimes it does not kick very much at all and then other times it kicks really hard.

My thoughts are that I should be fine with the recoil. It isn't hurting except for the time the scope hit my eye brow haha but I'm thinking I'm going to get a limbsaver recoil reducer but pad and and debating on either getting shooting sticks or a tripod setup for the gun. I have mainly only shot shotguns so rifles are new to me.

Ps I sold the 06 cause it was so dang heavy and for other reasons. It was a Springfield 1917

[Jason]

My advise is to sell it, give it, or leave it in the gun safe.  Developing a flinch is a very bad habit to break, and you already have a 30-06 which is more than adequate for most everything you would use a 300 on.  Once you start flinching with your 300, you'll most likely start flinching other firearms.  Shooters that develop a bad flinch habit can even flinch with .22s.

I agree with Bob, its hard for guys to get over. I shoot a .300wm also but I was shooting a 7mm when I was 16, so I dont even notice recoil or think about it. Its a mental thing, your always going to think about that scope bouncing off your eye everytime just before you pull the trigger.

[C-Money]

I would suggest shooting it off a bench and find out if it is you or maybe it doesnt like the ammo.  If it makes you flinch quit shooting it before it begins to effect you shooting other guns. 

I agree! I am recoil sensitive. I admit it! So, I shoot a .270win most of the time. I still get game. It sure could be some ammo that your gun dose not like. Try a different brand.

[Dean44]

Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire. Practice daily until you can pull the trigger every time and the gun stays on target. Do this from your regular field position.  I think that almost anybody can learn to shoot big calibers accurately with this practice.

[MuleySniper]

What grain bullet are you shooting? When I shoot 180's from my .300 wby. I know Im in for some shoulder bruising. I loaded up some 150's and its a dream to shoot. It made a HUGE difference in the recoil.
MS

[Bofire]

Have a friend shoot your gun and see how they do.  Have them watch you  shoot to see your habits.
Carl

[NW-GSP]

What grain bullet are you shooting? When I shoot 180's from my .300 wby. I know Im in for some shoulder bruising. I loaded up some 150's and its a dream to shoot. It made a HUGE difference in the recoil.
MS

I am shooting 180 grain. would the 150 grain work for bear?

[MuleySniper]

I personally think they would be fine. The best kills come from shot placement anyway. I wanted to load 165 grain Accubonds but they didn't have any when I went to buy them so I went with 150's. I shot my buck last year with 150 grain Accubond. You can see in the video it worked quite nicely. 120 yards. If you have an option of reloading, try out some 150 and 165 Accubonds. Very accurate bullet too.
MS
latebuck.mpg

[MuleySniper]

Oh I'll also mention I was getting about 1-1.5" groups with the 180 partitions and getting under an inch with the 150 accubonds. I'll never buy partitions again.
MS

[NW-GSP]

I personally think they would be fine. The best kills come from shot placement anyway. I wanted to load 165 grain Accubonds but they didn't have any when I went to buy them so I went with 150's. I shot my buck last year with 150 grain Accubond. You can see in the video it worked quite nicely. 120 yards. If you have an option of reloading, try out some 150 and 165 Accubonds. Very accurate bullet too.
MS
latebuck.mpg

holy cow lights out on that one!
I think I will try the 150 grain

[CAMPMEAT]

Nobody has mentioned putting a lighter trigger in it. I do in all my guns.

[NW-GSP]

Nobody has mentioned putting a lighter trigger in it. I do in all my guns.

I think that would be a good idea, seems to be a harder trigger pull then the 06 I use to have

[CAMPMEAT]

Nobody has mentioned putting a lighter trigger in it. I do in all my guns.

I think that would be a good idea, seems to be a harder trigger pull then the 06 I use to have

 


All my guns have 2-3# pulls.

[addicted]

get a bow. 

seriously a big turning point in field marksmanship for me was after training heavily with a bow for six months

lighter trigger
better recoil pad
fill the stock with lead shot
and ofcourse you could always get one of those muzzle brakes you dont want.

[NW-GSP]

I just dry fired the gun a couple times while trying to make sure to squeeze the trigger and not pull it and It seems like I am shaky with the gun while holding it without a rest so Im sure I need to work on my technique along with everything else

[NW-GSP]

get a bow. 

seriously a big turning point in field marksmanship for me was after training heavily with a bow for six months

lighter trigger
better recoil pad
fill the stock with lead shot
and ofcourse you could always get one of those muzzle brakes you dont want.

Its funny that you say that cause I do bow hunt but need to get to practicing that more!
I got the rifle just to mix things up a little bit cause I have fun doing both

[Todd_ID]

get a bow. 

seriously a big turning point in field marksmanship for me was after training heavily with a bow for six months

lighter trigger
better recoil pad
fill the stock with lead shot
and ofcourse you could always get one of those muzzle brakes you dont want.

Its funny that you say that cause I do bow hunt but need to get to practicing that more!
I got the rifle just to mix things up a little bit cause I have fun doing both

Lots of legitimate-sounding excuses for missing with a bow; not too many for missing with a rifle.  Maybe start with some of the Reduced Recoil loads to get used to the gun then start using full power stuff once you get over being scared of it.