Even though I’ve lived many of the same type of experiences and even some job similarities as you Mr. Blue, I always find it relaxing to hear your words educating so many other veteran shooters and brand new members to our hobby. 41 years ago I bought my first rifle and 38 years ago my first revolver. Keep up the good work my friend.
As always, your teaching is outstanding. Thank you. I often wondered whether a 7mm or 300 win mag still head spaced on the belt since they have a shoulder, and you answered that for me. The belt. Appreciate your efforts to teach, always.
This guy's videos/presentations are so incredibly informative & interesting. His videos are the only ones of a person just sitting there talking that I become thoroughly engrossed in. I often have lunch on weekdays while watching his stuff. I love it. Thank you, gunblue Sir, for your service not only to your country, but to firearms/handloading enthusiasts everywhere! God bless. 🙏👍
I appreciate your videos very much and you truly know what you're talking about. I spend time looking at all kinds of blogs and learning facts. It's unfortunate there are others out there who are unfamiliar with how and why cases are built like they are. It's nice to know there are blogs like your own that deal with facts borne from experience.
I’ve been watching you for a couple years and your knowledge is unbelievable. I respect you and your channel so much. Thank you for sharing everything you know. Means a lot.
I must be in the magnum stage. I'm currently building a 28 Nosler ELR rifle and I have almost all of components. The gun is going to tip the scales at nearly 22 lbs so I expect the recoil to be more manageable than what I commonly hear. Thank you for the great video captain. As always, I love the learning opportunity that your channel brings!
This was an interesting topic, even for someone who doesn't own any magnums. I appreciate the history that comes with the technical discussions. I hope you get that fair weather soon.
I had the same sickness when I started hunting . My first Rifle was a 338 win mag , my second was a 300 win mag . If since traded them both in for my 35 Whelen . I shoot 225 grain accubonds at 2750 . This will do anything that my other two rifles Will do out to 400 yards . The only issues I had with belts is when I didn’t load the mag properly . I had them hang up once or twice but I learned to make sure the belts were stacked on themselves
I've enjoyed your videos for a while now, thanks for the quality content. I have a cz 550 in 375 h&h mag and it's probably my favorite rifle to shoot, very pleasant for what you are throwing down range and very well balanced. Recently I bought another cz 550 in 458 lott, haven't shot it yet but the rounds certainly hurt the wallet. I'm hoping to collect a 550 in each clambering, it's a shame they discontinued the safari line it was the only really affordable way to buy a rifle in those calibers that was good quality and ready to go out of the box. I'm hoping to hunt south Africa one day soon for cape Buffalo and leopard. I'm also entering neighboring states lotteries for elk hunts, your videos on how to prepare for that type of hunt was very informative. Thanks again.
I bought a Kleinguenther-Voere, K14 bolt action rifle in .458 Winchester Magnum. When I first saw it I thought it was a Weatherby Mark V Deluxe but it seems to be very well made. Anyways I've steel epoxy bedded the receiver and stock by following the instructions in your other two videos - I watched them a few times.. I used the same products. This rifle has a hinged floorplate with the magazine inside, and two steel bushings the receiver screws fit through, as well as the recoil lug welded onto the receiver which all complicated things a bit. I decided to epoxy the bushings into the stock permanently. The whole operation went smoothly, I think I'll be pleased with the result. Thanks
I have had a love for belted magnums since I was young, my grandpa has a custom 7mm rem mag. I now own a 7mm rem mag, 7x61 sharpe and hart, and a 300 win mag. I love you videos as always
I load two 300 H&H rifles, and I’ve never had an extraction issue, but I also use a Lee Collet Die to resize my brass. I also had space off the shoulder, not the belt.
I bought a 300 Win Mag in Remington 700 (belted magnum) 3 years ago. The tiny stock Remington extractor would fail often on the belted cartridge and would either brake or not extract correctly. Replaced the bolt with a custom PTG bolt with a mini M-16 extractor and it works great now. Didn't even have to change the counter bore despite rumors on the internet saying it would not work without opening up the counter bore. Fit perfect when installed by a gunsmith and has worked for a few years now, no issues. I wouldn't trust using a stock Remington extractor for belted magnums on a dangerous game hunt, glad I got the mini 16 extractor.
Great point on the case head separation. I have only had that happen once with a 257 Weatherby hand load. It didn’t have a lot of impact on my rifle but obviously some. Pain getting the case out, but that’s another story.
Always a great day when Benny and gunblue upload. Love to see you make a video on crimping reloads. Covering topics like what is too little crimp, too much, crimping magnum powders like h110. Still an area I'd like to learn more about
Yes, it is a fantastic cartridge that has only recently been making its way to the US via import rifles. I was recalling the title from memory, but you didn't observe that I corrected my error with a graphic on the screen. At 72 years, I forgot a digit, and it seems your eyes are apparently going.
Thank you for this video. While not a Magnum Rifle fan, do enjoy the 300 Win Mag. I only headspace resize my 300 Win Mags. Now got a better understanding now why the brass life is relatively low for the 300 Win Mags.
Magnums may be sexier but 222Rem, 6,5x55, 270Win, 308Win, 30-06, 358Win and last but not least 35Whelen - There’s the ones I currently use/reload. The 35’s are odd balls here in Northern Europe where the 9.3 is the dominating bore size bigger than the 30’s. But I’ve been very pleased with the performance on Moose and both are easy to reload for since 308 and 30-06 cases are so common. Basically 3 different cases cover all our needs.
I’ve been around a lot of 35 whelen rifles. It’s an exceptional cartridge. I love my two 9.3x62 rifles and they are the oddballs here in North America.
@Jess Hadlock I didn't see a response from Tom, but various parts of MO are experiencing record rainfall and the ensuing flooding. Nat'l Weather reports that 8-10 inches fell in less than 8 hours in/around St. Louis just this morning. One soul lost in the floodwaters, it appears.
Hey Sir. I just discovered your channel. Thank you for the thoughtful examination of belted magnums. I would like to see a video with your thoughts regarding the new military cartridge selection the 6.8x51 or .277 Fury. Thank you again for the fine content
Thanks for being the voice of reason. .264 and .300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm Remington Magnum are popular out here in the west. I've no complaint with them but I've never needed anything more than my .270 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield, and I've taken plenty of deer with a single shot from my .243 Winchester. The over the top magnums that have come out in the last twenty-five years baffle me. All you need is a well-placed good quality controlled-expansion bullet.
That reasoning began well over 50 years ago, after several of my elder friends returned from a mule deer hunt in Colorado. Three brought along a 30-06, a .270, and a .250 Savage. Two others brought a .300 and .264 Winchester Magnum. They all got their deer, but the two guys with the magnums realized that the amounts of meat the packer boxed for them was nearly 40% less weight than the ones with the standard calibers, which seriously disappointed them. And, of course, they took a lot of good natured ribbing for a long time about how their rifles shot stove pipe holes through their deer. That reasoning was reinforced many years later on my own first western hunt in Wyoming. Our two bunkmates were doctors, each armed with 6mm Remingtons, who not only got their deer and pronghorns, but it was quite evident to everyone who saw their game hanging in the shed with the others that theirs had almost no bruising by comparison, especially to the terrific damage caused by the magnums. And, they spent three days having fun with prairie dogs. My outfitter, who had been in the business for 25 years, recommended .270s and .30-06 to anyone who asked for advice, including those who hunted moose and elk.
I have a .375 H&H like the one you described. It's a Remington 700 BDL Safari Grade. Beautifully made, excellent fit and finish, gorgeous walnut with clean, precise checkering and an ebony fore-end. I acquired it about 35 years ago and initially was hesitant to shoot it fearing what I thought would be fierce recoil. I got it from a guy who fired it once, chipped his collar bone and then wanted nothing to do with it. It makes we wonder how he was holding it. Not properly is all I can now say. I was pleasantly surprised when my shoulder took a hefty 'push' but not a fearsome 'crack'. It was no big deal at all. Of course, it's a heavy rifle and that helped soak up some of the perceived recoil. I got it for hunting grizzly back in the day when you could still do that in British Columbia. Back then, I worked up an accurate load using 300 Gr. Nosler Partitions. Today there are newer, more advanced bullets for big bears but the Partitions have worked very well for many decades (seven decades now?) so I don't see the need to try anything else. If I ever go to Alaska for brown bear, this rifle is going with me. So are the 300 gr. Partitions.
That's exactly how I'd describe the recoil. Remington's Custom Shop did a fabulous job with those magnificent rifles. The sights were perfectly zeroed from the box, too. If I recall correctly, they were about $400 in the early 80s.
Great topic. I choose my rifle cartridges by their ballistics and intended use, not whether it wears a belt or not. The magnums I shoot are 300wsm, 300 win mag, 375 H&H and the 416 rigby. I handload and it takes a bit more work on brass with a belt. I headspace off the shoulder with a .002" bump. I also use a collet die that resizes the case at the belt back to .510". I have not experienced any feeding problems on any of my rifles. Keep up the great content.
I also headspace off the shoulder for several magnums and use a Willis Collet Die. I do headspace off of the belt with the 375 H&H. I’ve never tried headspacing off the shoulder, for obvious reasons. What do you do with the 375 H&H?
@@falba1492 I measure a fired case to the datum line and using a sizing die with the stem removed, I bump the shoulder back .002". I do it the same as my 300 win mag.
@@garydaddario6377 - That’s pretty much what I do as well. I FL resize, push back the should .002”, use a mandrel and crimp with a Lee Factory Crimper. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
I currently own a Winchester model 70 safari in 416 Remington, and a interarms mark x mauser in 416 Taylor improved. Both rifles are very accurate, but load development from a bench is pretty harsh on the shoulder. I really do enjoy load development in both of them though. I only have whitetails to hunt, maybe wild pig occasionally. All of my loads are lighter bullets pushed fast, so far they expand very very well on whitetail. My two top choices are the 300 Barnes TSX and woodleigh 340 protected point bullets.
Weatherby cases had the same problem. Factory ammo was VERY expensive (and still is), so hand loading was a good option. But, the handloader used these cases over and over and over. Until one day.....POP goes the weasel.
There’s really no need to crimp a 300 win mag case. Crimping isn’t necessary until you get over 30 foot pounds of energy. But if you do crimp, do it off-line with a Lee Factory Crimp Die.
🤠 This was very informative video and I am glad that you covered the topic! I also have abandoned the Big Magnums for more practical cartridges like the 30-06 Springfield, 308 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, and the 270 Winchester! If I were to own another "Big Magnum", it would be in the 375 Ruger or the 35 Whelen and no belt! My former co-worker turned one of my 30-06 rifles into a 35 Whelen and he described it as a "Thinking Man's Magnum"! It is a very interesting cartridge, without excessive recoil, and has proven to do quite well on killing elk for him! 🦌
The 35 Whelen is an excellent round that has been plowed under by the arms manufacturers because it would step on their proprietary rounds. See my video on that great cartridge.
I have owned a 7 Rem Mag for about 6 years now. Some of my cases have a couple of firings now. A few of my cases have a slight bulge ahead of the belt which makes chambering a little difficult. I did some research and found that a special sizing die can be purchased to remove that slight bulge. I shoot my 7 Rem Mag a lot for long range target shooting. The only way I can afford to shoot a 7 Rem Mag is with handloads.
GunBlue, that was a very informative video. Thank you. Since I am not yet a reloader, I really enjoyed your explanation of the case stretching just in front of the belt. I had heard about this for years but didn't know what it was. I hear a lot of naysayers bemoaning belted cases. Mostly because of "feeding". Since I've been shooting belted cartridges for well over 40 years and never (knock wood) had a feeding problem, I think this is just benchrest BS. Do you have any insight into why belted cartridges recently got a bad reputation? Other than the manufacturers of the newer unbelted ones need us to switch from our old reliable to their new super wonders. Cheers, Jeff.
For my first Magnum build, I wanted to go with a 28 Nosler but realized it's a hyper barrel burner as a target rifle. Then I decided to go with a 7 SAUM but the brass are unicorns now. I'm settling on a 7 Rem Mag. I'm reading up on it, and that belt isn't just a vestigial part. The case head stretches significantly more on the first firing than a non-belted Magnum, and bulges form by the belt after a few firings! Edit: I'm glad there's a Larry Willis die that deals with that bulge. But that just adds an extra step to the brass prep process. Ugh.
@@GunBlue490 well I hadn't seen one of your vids for maybe 3 months as it wasn't showing up in my feed so when I went to the sub list to clean it up there you were so welcome back!
My Sako in .338 Win Mag doesn’t need a belt. It headspaces perfectly, when I practice dry fire with a snap cap the chamber leaves markings both on the edge of the belt and on the shoulders.
I'm sorry, but you're interpreting signs from a snap cap that has nothing to do with cartridge to chamber relations. If you have a .338 Win Mag, it needs a belt. Sako uses standard reamers and absolutely headspaces factory .338 Win Mag cartridges on the belt. No manufacturer can shorten a magnum chamber at the shoulder, or not all factory ammo would fit. The only way yo alter that is to minimally resize or neck size fired brass, and that's a fit that works only with a paired brass and rifle.
I have always wanted to know what “belted magnum” really meant. I knew my 7mm mag had a belt but no clue why it was there. Thank you for the information and making it interesting.
I just had a discussion about this and my pojnt was ive shot a 7mm rem mag for 30yrs i hand load and I've never had a moment where i wondered about the belt on the case. I dont care its never causede a problem and i always have elk in the freezer, people just want to find a problem with everything. Thanks for your insight
Rain saved you a cigar and a 🍺 this fine summer. Hope the wife is well and Benny is in the house. Only shot .300 wm and 7mm RM kept only the .300 I think it’s plenty for N America if I do my part. Love the 7-08 , 6mm Remington is a bit of fad now with me. The lower the recoil the better for me 👍
I had a BFR pistol in .458 Winchester. Ten inch barrel. An absolute beast and not fun to shoot. Traded it for a Winchester 1892 to a guy wanting to moose hunt with it. Never missed that gun.
Personally, I’d prefer my 7mm Rem Mag without the belt. It doesn’t really do anything for me. But the cartridge is just so excellent for all-around deer hunting that I just don’t care enough to get something else.
@@GunBlue490 .280 AI and 7SAUM are also very close, albeit on the mild side, but if he already has a 7mm Rem Mag and he knows how it shoots, there's no reason to change it up.
@@GunBlue490 The 7mm WSM is dead on the vine, brass is unobtainable. 7 SAUM is popular, but has to be a custom rifle. Now the 7 PRC will be out soon with Hornady’s marketing clout. I wonder if that will be the “new”thing? Who would have thought these Creedmore and PRC cartridges were going to be such a big hit?
The 7mm Blazer Magnum has identical case capacity as the 7mm Rem Mag. The case has no belt, shorter OAL, longer neck, 30° shoulder. I'm getting everything together to have one built this year.
This gentleman is a wealth of knowledge. I never owned a magnum rifle and never will, as I have zero interest in hunting anything with four legs and fur. Pheasants, ducks and turkeys for me!! I use my Pre-64 M70 30-06 for silhouette matches. My reloads are a 180 gr. @ about 2400-2500 MV. Even with that reduced load the brass stretches enough so that I need to trim my brass every other reload or so, so I can appreciate his point on belted magnum cases separating. Good to know. Also reload 45-70 for black powder (Pyrodex) matches. I full length resize for every reload. I inspect each case before every reload. Better safe than sorry. Brass stretches, even with the reduced loads. Happy shooting, everybody! Join NRA. Vote. Watch your sights.
I'd like to see an opinionated analysis of rifle barrels, light vs heavy, target vs hunting, length affecting velocity and accuracy, eg what's wrong with a 20 inch barrel for long range varmint shooting with a 243, twist rate, stainless vs blued, bedded vs free floated, hammer forged vs button rifled, eg what the US uses for sniper rifles, eg savage vs tikka rifle barrels, special order barrels vs standard manufactured barrels. I did like Desert Dog's video on the famous German K98 rifles/actions and perceived vs actual strength of steel. Keep up the good work. I never saw you making maple syrup. Maybe next year?
I did a video regarding rifle and barrel selection 6 years ago, entitled "How to select your next rifle, and make a good buying decision". I will likely update that video soon, and focus on barrel dimensions.
I have a question im hoping you can answer... I am putting together a SPR (special purpose rifle) in a AR platform hoping to reach distances out to 800 yards.. right now it does not have a floating barrel, and I want to put a bipod on it,,, Do you think putting a bipod on the hand guards will mess with the barrel harmonics? Im asking because it basically a standard AR hand guard that attaches at the upper receiver and to the ring around the front sight which is attached to the barrel.. I wouldnt think it would but I want to ask to make sure..
If your handguard is truly floating, the harmonics are unrestricted, and it would make no difference what is attached to that handguard. I just re-read your question and your handguard is connected at the front in the original configuration. Your barrel is NOT free floated, and it would indeed be influenced by any pressure on the handguard. Free floating means contact only at the receiver ring. The barrel must have no other contact points
Another fine video. I have one belted magnum rifle, a 1951 Remington Model 721 BDL 300 H&H with its original K4 Weaver. The only reason I have it is for pure nostalgia. It's a beautiful gun that I got dirt cheap. It was from an estate consignment to a local gun store. None of the deceased's children or grandchildren wanted it. They all wanted the plastic stuff. Because of my age and health problems I will probably never get to go with on a western states elk hunt but for hunting deer on my farm here in central Kansas I can load it down to 30-06 velocities with a common 150 grain bullet. I have more than 200 new cases for it so I'm probably fixed for the rest of my life unless I try to recreate Camp Perry of the 1930's. I've read that the 300 H&H will handle bullets lighter than 150 grains while the other big 300's will not, but I haven't tried that. I have too many other rifles of various calibers that shoot lighter bullets just fine. BTW GB, I recently acquired a nicely sporterized Kar.98 Mauser. The action and stock are great but it still has its original 8x57 barrel in not very good condition. I got it cheap so I'm having it re-barreled in 257 Roberts!
You've got a terrific rifle! As you wondering whether other big 300's will handle light bullets; yes, they most certainly will. There's no such thing as over stabilizing a bullet. The only limitation comes when the combined velocity and spin exceed the strength of the jacket to hold together, but all lightweight .30 caliber bullets are made with stout jackets that can easily withstand 4,000 feet per second. Hornady lists the 300 Remington Ultra Mag with 110 grain bullets at 3,900 with a 10" twist.
For the reloader, you should have mentioned head spacing off the shoulder, and using a Willis Collett die. I head space for my 300 H&H and 338 Win Mag off the shoulder, but I do head space off the belt for the 375 H&H.
I did indeed mention the practice of setting a die to headspace off the shoulder. This was an explanation of cartridge design, not a clinic on reloading. I produced an entire video detailing neck sizing that my viewers may visit. Neck sizing that leaves the case very snug is entirely different than partial sizing with a full length sizing die that may be used for hunting, and may or may not be suitable for various reasons as detailed in that video.
I recognize your rosary. Would you believe that I still have my first rosary? The beads are so small (received it in second grade when I received my First Communion). I have a few K. of C. rosary's from my Grand Knight days but I haven't given any away in 10 years. Everybody I know has one or more.
Welcome Brother Knight. That one, made of polished stones and silver, was made by St. Katharine Drexel's mission in New Mexico. I also am a Past Grand Knight and am proud to have been awarded Double Star Council. Vivat Jesus!
In standard brass case version, it shouldn't be extreme. In the hybrid stainless case head military issue, the added pressure certainly will increase barrel deterioration, but one must remember that this is a military tested firearm that has a primary purpose of withstanding combat engagements in full auto fire, so it can't be too bad. From what I can see just looking at the form, it's a standard bore to chamber ratio.
@@GunBlue490 I'm always leery of training with one load and fighting with another that is hotter. I'm sure you are quite familiar with the Newhall Incident.
@@Paladin1873 I'm very familiar, yes. However, good training isn't an either-or, it's an also-and. It's not something to be leery of if done correctly. The best training involves comprehensive training with low-ball ammo for marksmanship and familiarization, followed by comprehensive training with service issue ammo. No, one does not train only with "practice" ammo, and then just strap on service ammo. Nor is it at all good practice to neglect using milder ammo for marksmanship development. Firearms training is no different than batting practice, muscle building, or swimming training... it's a matter of repetition and working up.
@@Jezus42 - If you are going to reload, either is fine. If you go with the 300 PRC you are limited in your selection of rifles and brass at the moment. Although, that might change in the future. If you’re dead set on a 30 caliber, I would recommend a 300 WSM in a Model 70 Winchester of your choice. Most 30 caliber records have been set with 300 WSM‘s. I shoot a 300 H&H, but the Winchester short mag would be my second choice.
@@falba1492 I'm looking for a long range big game rifle. As I'm sure you are aware losts of options these days, I would say few good choices. A model 70 or a 700 ravage action is in my near future for sure
I wonder if the belted Magnum trend, as well as the reverse, promoting "NON" belted Magnums is largely a sales device? I used a 220 Swift for many years and when I rebarreled, I went with the 22-250Ackley Improved and found that the performance far exceeds Swift velocities with no case stretching, or neck trimming to length, no split necks and the brass life far exceeds the Swift, all due to the 40 degree shoulder. I own 6 different Ackley's and I use Wilson hand dies and an Arbor press. Comments?
With or without belt doesn't matter. What matters is how you size the brass. If sizing to headspace on the shoulder instead of the belt accuracy will be comparable all else being equal.
I addressed that issue in my presentation. I also addressed how I do not recommend such snug sizing for hunting, which significantly affects bolt operation. The two types of headspace certainly matter to those who prefer not to neck size, especially for those who own belted magnum autoloaders and must full size.
@@GunBlue490 I've been neck sizing my reloads for my 300 Win Mag. Do you have a recommendation for number of reloadings I should allow per piece of brass?
I was thinking about eventually rebarreling my 7 rem mag to 7 STW but this is making me rethink that a little. I might still do it when this barrel is cashed... sometimes you just gotta go big. That's what magnum shooting and reloading is all about.
Remember that the 7STW takes a rifle with a 3.6 inch magazine. Does your rifle have that. Since they both headspace on the same belt you could just find a gunsmith with a 7STW reamer, and have him lengthen your present chamber. He might have to set it back a thread or two if the angle doesn't make. If you can set the two cartridges side by side on their bases. That will tell you. The right smith could just compare his two different reamers.
@@lynncollins1484 Thank you. This is definitely something I must consider first. If 3.6 is the standard spec and my handloads would potentially be a bit longer than that. If these magazines won't work I don't want to have to single feed or buy a whole new chassis. At that point I might as well just get a whole new gun.
It's quite a good idea, just as it is with the .458 Winchester Magnum. I'm sure that if our early lever rifle designers had known about belted rims, the 30-30 would have one for easier feeding through a loading gate and action. As a matter of note, the 450 Marlin is designed with a rim that is longer than other belted magnums, so that it cannot be accidentally chambered into a rifle with a smaller bore, which could be quite catastrophic. As Hornady explains, a similar wildcat cartridge called the 458 x 2" American can do just that. In 2000, Marlin and Hornady teamed up to develop the 450 Marlin. It's more efficient than the 45-70, and with a more modern thick wall case will produce higher velocities at safe chamber pressures. In Hornady's testing, an 18-1/2" barreled 450 Marlin achieved 100 feet per second higher velocity than the same model 1895 Marlin 45-70 that had a 22" barrel, and with similar powder charges. Anything that can be said for the 45-70 can be said for the 450 Marlin, and then some. Loaded with 300 grain bullets, it's the ultimate close range brush gun, and with 350 grain bullets at 2,000 feet per second, it's certainly up to taking any game in North America, including the big bears. I don't know if it will hang on for long, but I'd take it over a 45-70. Browning and Winchester are currently making them, though Marlin, under the Ruger banner now, has not yet reintroduced them.
@GunBlue490, I was hoping that you might have the answer to a problem? my daughter has a problem pulling back the slide on her 9mm Smith n Wesson Shield compact. its new and should break in a bit more but it is pretty difficult. we live in California for now and are not able to purchase the 9mm shield EZ that has a much lighter spring and possibly larger tolerances. it's not allowed in California. Do you think If I were to order a lighter replacement spring for a shield EZ 380 or a 9mm it would cycle ? any helpful information would be appreciated as she's anxious to move out of California and in to our family property since 1865 in west Virginia. 12 acres in the hills with a large pond a nice creek going through it and our 2nd amendment freedoms. sorry for rambling but it is exciting to move away from California now that its become such a horrible and dangerous place. Thank you sir
I'm sorry that I can't help. Recoil springs are gauged for reliable cycling and buffering with the entire range of commercial ammo, so any reduction would certainly cause issues with excessive battering and may not cycle correctly. It's not uncommon for women to have difficulty with slide operation on certain autos due to hand size and strength. The best approach is to shop for a handgun that she feels comfortable with.
They are allowed in California you will just have to find one on the secondary market. Or find a friend or family member from Oregon or Nevada to quietly import one. I'm not a lawyer this is not legal advice. Although I may be aware of just that happening.
@@NIGHTSTALKERsixsixsix in fact if you have friends or family visiting from just about anywhere else, it's just more common for people visiting to drive from more local states. Damnd airports n all
I'm guessing? But the stack of books to your right work the Hornady and the nosler books? That's my Bible. I do have a 416 Barrett in Noreen. And it is a hoot to shoot. But cost my side with the 50 BMG at lesser cost.
@@JeffinTD well maybe the 338 rum. But the doc says they need to replace my shoulder. My 338wm, 45-70, 358w, 35w and 9.3x62 all got retired The 6mm don't hurt that bad when there shot. Lol
Funny I've been asking the same question from a different angle. I want a new mt. rifle and belted or nonbelted, that is the question......300winmag or 300prc? New or old?
I’d go 300 Win Mag because you’ll be able to buy ammo just about any place that sells ammo. 300 PRC is more of a niche rifle designed shoot really heavy high BC bullets. I just don’t see the point. The 300 Win Mag with a 1:10 twist rate will handle 200 gr boat tails with a BC over .600. What more do you need. Like gunblue my favorite load for the 300 Win Mag is the 200 gr Nosler Partition. With a 200 yard zero and mv of 2850 fps it shoots within 1” of the 130 gr 270 or 180 gr 300 WM load. That load will knock anything in North America down on it’s a$$.
@@strat1080 I live and hunt out west(guess that makes me cool or something, shhesh I was just born here so it's what we got) in Oregon. As stated I want a new mountain rifle. I am also very much looking at having a custom rifle made for the purpose and I'm having a hard time just going 300wm, when there are these new magnums that have higher BCs and grain weights, which means farther and flatter. I contemplated 28 or 30 nos for a bit but barrel life is to short.
@@Jezus42, to me the choice is between a 300 WSM or 300 Win Mag. In a lighter weight mountain rifle I’d go with a 300 WSM and probably use something like a Barnes 175 gr LRX at 2900-3000 fps. Preferably with a 23” barrel. The WSM is a little more efficient with powder so will get you similar ballistics with a little bit less recoil. The shorter powder column will make it a little more efficient with a shorter barrel. As an all arounder I’d go 300 Win Mag and 24” barrel. There isn’t enough of a difference between the 300 Win Mag and 300 PRC for me to to want to deal with the shortage of ammo diversity and availability with the latter. Keep in mind that recoil is going to be a major factor in a lightweight rifle and the PRC has even more recoil than the Win Mag. Honestly I’m not a huge believer in using the bullet with highest BC possible fir hunting purposes. I worry more about terminal performance with a hunting bullet. I see nothing wrong with using stuff like Nosler Accubond/Partition, Barnes TTSX, Swift Scirocco, etc. These are proven hunting bullets that won’t let you down. For what I’d use a 30 cal Magnum for I wouldn’t use a high BC bullet like an ELD-x or Berger. I prefer tougher bullets than those. My 300 win Mag is a big game rifle for Moose, Elk, Nilgai, Big Bears etc. It’s not a deer or antelope rifle. I want a tough bullet for these animals. I think way too much is made of high BC bullets for hunting. 99% of shots in hunting are made within 400 yards. BC won’t make a lick of difference as long as you’re not using flat point or round nose ammo. BCs really don’t start making an impact until beyond 400 yards and to me are more important in match competitions. I like a decent BC but again, I focus more on the terminal capabilities of the bullet more so than BC. However if BCs are your thing. Like I said, a 1:10 twist 300 Win Mag will stabilize a 200 gr high BC boat tail bullet. However like I said those high BC bullets are garbage compared to something like a 200 gr Nosler Partition for actually killing game animals. I can use that 200 gr Partition load on anything in North America from 0-600 yards and never waste too much meat and always get an exit. It’s not going to blow up on bone at close range like an ELD-x will. The 200 gr Partition is an incredible performer. It’ll go through just about any animal in the world and you never really have to worry about shot presentation like the highly frangible high BC bullets that you can pretty much only use with perfect broadside shots. I know it’s not a sexy high BC bullet but it completely outclasses them as an actual hunting bullet. The 200 gr Partition has a measured G1 BC of .500 by Bryan Litz of .501. It hits stuff like a freight train
@@strat1080 the reason I want higher bc bullets is because I like heavy for caliber. I'm not new to 300wm as my buddy has one and shoots the 190 (accubonds I believe) and have shot his rifle and like his. I'm a big boy so the recoil in a 7-9 ish rifle is fine with me. Next I usually keep the elk within 500 but I occasionally shoot further than that. That being said my dream is a 30 cal dbm carbonfiber mt rifle that shoots ttsx or naturalis, and as I can now afford one....I will admit it would be my first custom, so I'm a bit hesitant. Paying that much for a rifle i want it to be what i want. Thanks for the advice!
The armed forces did a study on the 30 cal. claiming anything over 06 velocities no gain now jump forward quite a few decades they have a change of hart with the 300 laupa I had a custom barrel made decades ago and never screwed it on anything yet straight one inch straight 12 twist 22'' hydro dipped with brake just been sitting in the corner waiting maybe before I get out of this world🤣😂
I remember when I would shoot a certain pistol named after a snake 🐍 until I got bored on Walmart winchester white box .357, 50rounds for 14 dollars because .38 was only two bucks cheaper, now that snake is too collectible to shoot and the ammo is now 50 dollars, and I thought shooting was a hobby for poor hillbillies.
Хобби
Class is in session! 🤓
Even though I’ve lived many of the same type of experiences and even some job similarities as you Mr. Blue, I always find it relaxing to hear your words educating so many other veteran shooters and brand new members to our hobby. 41 years ago I bought my first rifle and 38 years ago my first revolver. Keep up the good work my friend.
Another great VO - Thank you. Good luck on the pavilion.
As far as having an eastern mindset, I find you are one of the few that include eastern hunting at all. I appreciate it.
Thank you.
As always, your teaching is outstanding. Thank you. I often wondered whether a 7mm or 300 win mag still head spaced on the belt since they have a shoulder, and you answered that for me. The belt.
Appreciate your efforts to teach, always.
Thanks for educating on the magnums. Great information!
This guy's videos/presentations are so incredibly informative & interesting. His videos are the only ones of a person just sitting there talking that I become thoroughly engrossed in. I often have lunch on weekdays while watching his stuff. I love it. Thank you, gunblue Sir, for your service not only to your country, but to firearms/handloading enthusiasts everywhere! God bless. 🙏👍
Thank you for your kind words. God bless.
I appreciate your videos very much and you truly know what you're talking about. I spend time looking at all kinds of blogs and learning facts.
It's unfortunate there are others out there who are unfamiliar with how and why cases are built like they are. It's nice to know there are blogs like your own that deal with facts borne from experience.
I’ve been watching you for a couple years and your knowledge is unbelievable. I respect you and your channel so much. Thank you for sharing everything you know. Means a lot.
I often have your videos on in the background when I’m at the reloading bench. You are a great teacher .
Thanks again for your vid when you explain in detail it does make sense. Learn something new every day.Thanks and Truly God bless and stay safe.
I must be in the magnum stage. I'm currently building a 28 Nosler ELR rifle and I have almost all of components. The gun is going to tip the scales at nearly 22 lbs so I expect the recoil to be more manageable than what I commonly hear. Thank you for the great video captain. As always, I love the learning opportunity that your channel brings!
This was an interesting topic, even for someone who doesn't own any magnums. I appreciate the history that comes with the technical discussions. I hope you get that fair weather soon.
I had the same sickness when I started hunting . My first
Rifle was a 338 win mag , my second was a 300 win mag . If since traded them both in for my 35 Whelen . I shoot 225 grain accubonds at 2750 . This will do anything that my other two rifles Will do out to 400 yards . The only issues I had with belts is when I didn’t load the mag properly . I had them hang up once or twice but I learned to make sure the belts were stacked on themselves
I've enjoyed your videos for a while now, thanks for the quality content.
I have a cz 550 in 375 h&h mag and it's probably my favorite rifle to shoot, very pleasant for what you are throwing down range and very well balanced. Recently I bought another cz 550 in 458 lott, haven't shot it yet but the rounds certainly hurt the wallet. I'm hoping to collect a 550 in each clambering, it's a shame they discontinued the safari line it was the only really affordable way to buy a rifle in those calibers that was good quality and ready to go out of the box. I'm hoping to hunt south Africa one day soon for cape Buffalo and leopard. I'm also entering neighboring states lotteries for elk hunts, your videos on how to prepare for that type of hunt was very informative. Thanks again.
Terrific talk and information. Thank you.
Very excellent info that I needed!
Other than a machine gun, I could not imagine what this belt stuff was, until you explained it! Thanks! (I'll stick to .45-70)
I bought a Kleinguenther-Voere, K14 bolt action rifle in .458 Winchester Magnum. When I first saw it I thought it was a Weatherby Mark V Deluxe but it seems to be very well made. Anyways I've steel epoxy bedded the receiver and stock by following the instructions in your other two videos - I watched them a few times.. I used the same products. This rifle has a hinged floorplate with the magazine inside, and two steel bushings the receiver screws fit through, as well as the recoil lug welded onto the receiver which all complicated things a bit. I decided to epoxy the bushings into the stock permanently. The whole operation went smoothly, I think I'll be pleased with the result. Thanks
Always great info.
Man, S.E. Texas could sure use some of that rain!
I have had a love for belted magnums since I was young, my grandpa has a custom 7mm rem mag. I now own a 7mm rem mag, 7x61 sharpe and hart, and a 300 win mag. I love you videos as always
My best friend had a 300 H&H magnum which he hand loaded. His heavy end powder loads got the rifle unable to reject the empty. RIP Millard 2003.
I load two 300 H&H rifles, and I’ve never had an extraction issue, but I also use a Lee Collet Die to resize my brass. I also had space off the shoulder, not the belt.
I bought a 300 Win Mag in Remington 700 (belted magnum) 3 years ago. The tiny stock Remington extractor would fail often on the belted cartridge and would either brake or not extract correctly. Replaced the bolt with a custom PTG bolt with a mini M-16 extractor and it works great now. Didn't even have to change the counter bore despite rumors on the internet saying it would not work without opening up the counter bore. Fit perfect when installed by a gunsmith and has worked for a few years now, no issues. I wouldn't trust using a stock Remington extractor for belted magnums on a dangerous game hunt, glad I got the mini 16 extractor.
Great point on the case head separation. I have only had that happen once with a 257 Weatherby hand load. It didn’t have a lot of impact on my rifle but obviously some. Pain getting the case out, but that’s another story.
Again a video well worth watching.
Great talk
Always a great day when Benny and gunblue upload. Love to see you make a video on crimping reloads. Covering topics like what is too little crimp, too much, crimping magnum powders like h110. Still an area I'd like to learn more about
I may. Our host is a bit touchy about certain topics involving "making", so I've got to be very careful about how it's presented.
Great explanation of belted/non-belted. Thank you.
Loved this video…I learned a lot about belted magnums 👍
I learn so much info from your channel.
Engaging topic, thank you for the interesting video.
Dear teacher, you mentioned the German 9.3x65 in your speech. In fact it was the 9.3x62 (0.366) , a fantastic cartridge.
Yes, it is a fantastic cartridge that has only recently been making its way to the US via import rifles. I was recalling the title from memory, but you didn't observe that I corrected my error with a graphic on the screen. At 72 years, I forgot a digit, and it seems your eyes are apparently going.
@@GunBlue490 LOL. Certainly. We all have weaknesses..
@@GunBlue490 There are currently several European manufacturers offering the 9.3 x 62 in the United States. Sauer, Sako and Tikka to name a few.
Thank you for this video. While not a Magnum Rifle fan, do enjoy the 300 Win Mag. I only headspace resize my 300 Win Mags. Now got a better understanding now why the brass life is relatively low for the 300 Win Mags.
Look into using a Willis Collet Die, it doubles the brass life.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Blessings from Australia.
And, Blessings from the Granite State, New Hampshire, USA!
It’s too bad you don’t live in Seattle. We might get a lot more videos that way!
Magnums may be sexier but 222Rem, 6,5x55, 270Win, 308Win, 30-06, 358Win and last but not least 35Whelen - There’s the ones I currently use/reload. The 35’s are odd balls here in Northern Europe where the 9.3 is the dominating bore size bigger than the 30’s. But I’ve been very pleased with the performance on Moose and both are easy to reload for since 308 and 30-06 cases are so common. Basically 3 different cases cover all our needs.
😏 Well said! 🥳
I’ve been around a lot of 35 whelen rifles. It’s an exceptional cartridge. I love my two 9.3x62 rifles and they are the oddballs here in North America.
🙂 All that matters is that they work for you! 😁
Should it be belted or non-belted? Absolutely! Unless your magnum is a muzzle loader, of course.
I understand about the rain today for sure. Here in Missouri we got 14 inches of rain.
That's almost as much rain as I see in a year on the high prairie in Colorado! Sending dry, happy thoughts (and maybe some sand bags) your way!
@Jess Hadlock Annual average of the nearest city (Denver) is 14.4" or so.
Edit: I see now that your comment wasn't directed to me... sorry about that!
@Jess Hadlock I didn't see a response from Tom, but various parts of MO are experiencing record rainfall and the ensuing flooding. Nat'l Weather reports that 8-10 inches fell in less than 8 hours in/around St. Louis just this morning. One soul lost in the floodwaters, it appears.
Hey Sir. I just discovered your channel. Thank you for the thoughtful examination of belted magnums. I would like to see a video with your thoughts regarding the new military cartridge selection the 6.8x51 or .277 Fury. Thank you again for the fine content
Thanks for being the voice of reason. .264 and .300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm Remington Magnum are popular out here in the west. I've no complaint with them but I've never needed anything more than my .270 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield, and I've taken plenty of deer with a single shot from my .243 Winchester. The over the top magnums that have come out in the last twenty-five years baffle me. All you need is a well-placed good quality controlled-expansion bullet.
That reasoning began well over 50 years ago, after several of my elder friends returned from a mule deer hunt in Colorado. Three brought along a 30-06, a .270, and a .250 Savage. Two others brought a .300 and .264 Winchester Magnum. They all got their deer, but the two guys with the magnums realized that the amounts of meat the packer boxed for them was nearly 40% less weight than the ones with the standard calibers, which seriously disappointed them. And, of course, they took a lot of good natured ribbing for a long time about how their rifles shot stove pipe holes through their deer. That reasoning was reinforced many years later on my own first western hunt in Wyoming. Our two bunkmates were doctors, each armed with 6mm Remingtons, who not only got their deer and pronghorns, but it was quite evident to everyone who saw their game hanging in the shed with the others that theirs had almost no bruising by comparison, especially to the terrific damage caused by the magnums. And, they spent three days having fun with prairie dogs. My outfitter, who had been in the business for 25 years, recommended .270s and .30-06 to anyone who asked for advice, including those who hunted moose and elk.
I have a .375 H&H like the one you described. It's a Remington 700 BDL Safari Grade. Beautifully made, excellent fit and finish, gorgeous walnut with clean, precise checkering and an ebony fore-end. I acquired it about 35 years ago and initially was hesitant to shoot it fearing what I thought would be fierce recoil. I got it from a guy who fired it once, chipped his collar bone and then wanted nothing to do with it. It makes we wonder how he was holding it. Not properly is all I can now say.
I was pleasantly surprised when my shoulder took a hefty 'push' but not a fearsome 'crack'. It was no big deal at all. Of course, it's a heavy rifle and that helped soak up some of the perceived recoil. I got it for hunting grizzly back in the day when you could still do that in British Columbia. Back then, I worked up an accurate load using 300 Gr. Nosler Partitions. Today there are newer, more advanced bullets for big bears but the Partitions have worked very well for many decades (seven decades now?) so I don't see the need to try anything else.
If I ever go to Alaska for brown bear, this rifle is going with me. So are the 300 gr. Partitions.
That's exactly how I'd describe the recoil. Remington's Custom Shop did a fabulous job with those magnificent rifles. The sights were perfectly zeroed from the box, too. If I recall correctly, they were about $400 in the early 80s.
Great topic. I choose my rifle cartridges by their ballistics and intended use, not whether it wears a belt or not. The magnums I shoot are 300wsm, 300 win mag, 375 H&H and the 416 rigby. I handload and it takes a bit more work on brass with a belt.
I headspace off the shoulder with a .002" bump. I also use a collet die that resizes the case at the belt back to .510". I have not experienced any feeding problems on any of my rifles. Keep up the great content.
I also headspace off the shoulder for several magnums and use a Willis Collet Die. I do headspace off of the belt with the 375 H&H. I’ve never tried headspacing off the shoulder, for obvious reasons. What do you do with the 375 H&H?
@@falba1492 Brown bear in Alaska
@@garydaddario6377 Thanks for the response, but I meant what do you do for head spacing? I assume your headspacing off the belt and not the shoulder.
@@falba1492 I measure a fired case to the datum line and using a sizing die with the stem removed, I bump the shoulder back .002". I do it the same as my 300 win mag.
@@garydaddario6377 - That’s pretty much what I do as well. I FL resize, push back the should .002”, use a mandrel and crimp with a Lee Factory Crimper. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
I currently own a Winchester model 70 safari in 416 Remington, and a interarms mark x mauser in 416 Taylor improved. Both rifles are very accurate, but load development from a bench is pretty harsh on the shoulder. I really do enjoy load development in both of them though. I only have whitetails to hunt, maybe wild pig occasionally. All of my loads are lighter bullets pushed fast, so far they expand very very well on whitetail. My two top choices are the 300 Barnes TSX and woodleigh 340 protected point bullets.
My personal favorite through the years .375 H&H mag.
Weatherby cases had the same problem. Factory ammo was VERY expensive (and still is), so hand loading was a good option. But, the handloader used these cases over and over and over. Until one day.....POP goes the weasel.
Thanks for sharing. First time I reloaded for the 300 win mag I tried seating the bullet and crimp at the same time and bulged the first few cases.
There’s really no need to crimp a 300 win mag case. Crimping isn’t necessary until you get over 30 foot pounds of energy. But if you do crimp, do it off-line with a Lee Factory Crimp Die.
Thanks.
Lost your channel forever,glad to find it again...
Thank you sir.🌄🍺
🤠 This was very informative video and I am glad that you covered the topic! I also have abandoned the Big Magnums for more practical cartridges like the 30-06 Springfield, 308 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, and the 270 Winchester! If I were to own another "Big Magnum", it would be in the 375 Ruger or the 35 Whelen and no belt! My former co-worker turned one of my 30-06 rifles into a 35 Whelen and he described it as a "Thinking Man's Magnum"! It is a very interesting cartridge, without excessive recoil, and has proven to do quite well on killing elk for him! 🦌
The 35 Whelen is an excellent round that has been plowed under by the arms manufacturers because it would step on their proprietary rounds. See my video on that great cartridge.
🤴 Amen!!! 🙏
😁 The proof is on his wall and in his freezer! 🦌
Happy Summer of '22.
Love your vdo ty
I have owned a 7 Rem Mag for about 6 years now. Some of my cases have a couple of firings now. A few of my cases have a slight bulge ahead of the belt which makes chambering a little difficult. I did some research and found that a special sizing die can be purchased to remove that slight bulge. I shoot my 7 Rem Mag a lot for long range target shooting. The only way I can afford to shoot a 7 Rem Mag is with handloads.
GunBlue, that was a very informative video. Thank you. Since I am not yet a reloader, I really enjoyed your explanation of the case stretching just in front of the belt. I had heard about this for years but didn't know what it was.
I hear a lot of naysayers bemoaning belted cases. Mostly because of "feeding". Since I've been shooting belted cartridges for well over 40 years and never (knock wood) had a feeding problem, I think this is just benchrest BS. Do you have any insight into why belted cartridges recently got a bad reputation? Other than the manufacturers of the newer unbelted ones need us to switch from our old reliable to their new super wonders.
Cheers, Jeff.
For my first Magnum build, I wanted to go with a 28 Nosler but realized it's a hyper barrel burner as a target rifle. Then I decided to go with a 7 SAUM but the brass are unicorns now. I'm settling on a 7 Rem Mag. I'm reading up on it, and that belt isn't just a vestigial part. The case head stretches significantly more on the first firing than a non-belted Magnum, and bulges form by the belt after a few firings!
Edit: I'm glad there's a Larry Willis die that deals with that bulge. But that just adds an extra step to the brass prep process. Ugh.
congratulations sir on almost 150k subs
lol. Actually, I was demoted from 188K just a few days ago!
@@GunBlue490 well I hadn't seen one of your vids for maybe 3 months as it wasn't showing up in my feed so when I went to the sub list to clean it up there you were so welcome back!
My shoulder taught me a long time ago to learn how to shoot, learn how to hunt to get close and that's all you need to know!
My Sako in .338 Win Mag doesn’t need a belt. It headspaces perfectly, when I practice dry fire with a snap cap the chamber leaves markings both on the edge of the belt and on the shoulders.
I'm sorry, but you're interpreting signs from a snap cap that has nothing to do with cartridge to chamber relations. If you have a .338 Win Mag, it needs a belt. Sako uses standard reamers and absolutely headspaces factory .338 Win Mag cartridges on the belt. No manufacturer can shorten a magnum chamber at the shoulder, or not all factory ammo would fit. The only way yo alter that is to minimally resize or neck size fired brass, and that's a fit that works only with a paired brass and rifle.
I have always wanted to know what “belted magnum” really meant. I knew my 7mm mag had a belt but no clue why it was there. Thank you for the information and making it interesting.
I just had a discussion about this and my pojnt was ive shot a 7mm rem mag for 30yrs i hand load and I've never had a moment where i wondered about the belt on the case. I dont care its never causede a problem and i always have elk in the freezer, people just want to find a problem with everything. Thanks for your insight
Excellent presentation, once again. What are your thoughts on military adoption of .277 Fury ?
Rain saved you a cigar and a 🍺 this fine summer. Hope the wife is well and Benny is in the house. Only shot .300 wm and 7mm RM kept only the .300 I think it’s plenty for N America if I do my part. Love the 7-08 , 6mm Remington is a bit of fad now with me. The lower the recoil the better for me 👍
I had a BFR pistol in .458 Winchester. Ten inch barrel. An absolute beast and not fun to shoot. Traded it for a Winchester 1892 to a guy wanting to moose hunt with it. Never missed that gun.
I’ve had the 458 and 7mm Rem Mag but the largest cal I now have is not a magnum, it’s a 35 WCF. 2300fps with a 250g Speer HotCor and IMR 3031 powder.
Personally, I’d prefer my 7mm Rem Mag without the belt. It doesn’t really do anything for me. But the cartridge is just so excellent for all-around deer hunting that I just don’t care enough to get something else.
The round that you would prefer is called the 7mm Winchester Short Magnum. It has identical ballistics.
@@GunBlue490 .280 AI and 7SAUM are also very close, albeit on the mild side, but if he already has a 7mm Rem Mag and he knows how it shoots, there's no reason to change it up.
@@GunBlue490 The 7mm WSM is dead on the vine, brass is unobtainable. 7 SAUM is popular, but has to be a custom rifle. Now the 7 PRC will be out soon with Hornady’s marketing clout. I wonder if that will be the “new”thing? Who would have thought these Creedmore and PRC cartridges were going to be such a big hit?
The 7mm Blazer Magnum has identical case capacity as the 7mm Rem Mag. The case has no belt, shorter OAL, longer neck, 30° shoulder. I'm getting everything together to have one built this year.
@@stevepuyear2738 Those specs sound really good. I've never heard of that cartridge. I'll have to look into it.
This gentleman is a wealth of knowledge. I never owned a magnum rifle and never will, as I have zero interest in hunting anything with four legs and fur. Pheasants, ducks and turkeys for me!! I use my Pre-64 M70 30-06 for silhouette matches. My reloads are a 180 gr. @ about 2400-2500 MV. Even with that reduced load the brass stretches enough so that I need to trim my brass every other reload or so, so I can appreciate his point on belted magnum cases separating. Good to know. Also reload 45-70 for black powder (Pyrodex) matches. I full length resize for every reload. I inspect each case before every reload. Better safe than sorry. Brass stretches, even with the reduced loads.
Happy shooting, everybody!
Join NRA.
Vote.
Watch your sights.
Gunblue, you should do a video on the 300 Holland and Holland. The sexiest sleekest and smoothest feeding cartridge designed.
Would love to see a “round table” discussion with you, Jerry Miculek and Hitchcock 45 about anything regarding firearms.
Forgot Paul Harrell…
I'd like to see an opinionated analysis of rifle barrels, light vs heavy, target vs hunting, length affecting velocity and accuracy, eg what's wrong with a 20 inch barrel for long range varmint shooting with a 243, twist rate, stainless vs blued, bedded vs free floated, hammer forged vs button rifled, eg what the US uses for sniper rifles, eg savage vs tikka rifle barrels, special order barrels vs standard manufactured barrels. I did like Desert Dog's video on the famous German K98 rifles/actions and perceived vs actual strength of steel. Keep up the good work. I never saw you making maple syrup. Maybe next year?
I did a video regarding rifle and barrel selection 6 years ago, entitled "How to select your next rifle, and make a good buying decision". I will likely update that video soon, and focus on barrel dimensions.
Dang that Kentucky weather!
... I have no idea .... I live in Alaska. 😆
I have a question im hoping you can answer... I am putting together a SPR (special purpose rifle) in a AR platform hoping to reach distances out to 800 yards.. right now it does not have a floating barrel, and I want to put a bipod on it,,, Do you think putting a bipod on the hand guards will mess with the barrel harmonics? Im asking because it basically a standard AR hand guard that attaches at the upper receiver and to the ring around the front sight which is attached to the barrel.. I wouldnt think it would but I want to ask to make sure..
If your handguard is truly floating, the harmonics are unrestricted, and it would make no difference what is attached to that handguard. I just re-read your question and your handguard is connected at the front in the original configuration. Your barrel is NOT free floated, and it would indeed be influenced by any pressure on the handguard. Free floating means contact only at the receiver ring. The barrel must have no other contact points
Another fine video. I have one belted magnum rifle, a 1951 Remington Model 721 BDL 300 H&H with its original K4 Weaver. The only reason I have it is for pure nostalgia. It's a beautiful gun that I got dirt cheap. It was from an estate consignment to a local gun store. None of the deceased's children or grandchildren wanted it. They all wanted the plastic stuff. Because of my age and health problems I will probably never get to go with on a western states elk hunt but for hunting deer on my farm here in central Kansas I can load it down to 30-06 velocities with a common 150 grain bullet. I have more than 200 new cases for it so I'm probably fixed for the rest of my life unless I try to recreate Camp Perry of the 1930's. I've read that the 300 H&H will handle bullets lighter than 150 grains while the other big 300's will not, but I haven't tried that. I have too many other rifles of various calibers that shoot lighter bullets just fine. BTW GB, I recently acquired a nicely sporterized Kar.98 Mauser. The action and stock are great but it still has its original 8x57 barrel in not very good condition. I got it cheap so I'm having it re-barreled in 257 Roberts!
You've got a terrific rifle! As you wondering whether other big 300's will handle light bullets; yes, they most certainly will. There's no such thing as over stabilizing a bullet. The only limitation comes when the combined velocity and spin exceed the strength of the jacket to hold together, but all lightweight .30 caliber bullets are made with stout jackets that can easily withstand 4,000 feet per second. Hornady lists the 300 Remington Ultra Mag with 110 grain bullets at 3,900 with a 10" twist.
I like my .375 Winchester, but it definitely is just a straight wall, non belted case. A lot of people get worried about recoil when I mention .375.
For the reloader, you should have mentioned head spacing off the shoulder, and using a Willis Collett die. I head space for my 300 H&H and 338 Win Mag off the shoulder, but I do head space off the belt for the 375 H&H.
I did indeed mention the practice of setting a die to headspace off the shoulder. This was an explanation of cartridge design, not a clinic on reloading. I produced an entire video detailing neck sizing that my viewers may visit. Neck sizing that leaves the case very snug is entirely different than partial sizing with a full length sizing die that may be used for hunting, and may or may not be suitable for various reasons as detailed in that video.
I recognize your rosary. Would you believe that I still have my first rosary? The beads are so small (received it in second grade when I received my First Communion). I have a few K. of C. rosary's from my Grand Knight days but I haven't given any away in 10 years. Everybody I know has one or more.
Welcome Brother Knight. That one, made of polished stones and silver, was made by St. Katharine Drexel's mission in New Mexico. I also am a Past Grand Knight and am proud to have been awarded Double Star Council.
Vivat Jesus!
@@GunBlue490 Vivat JESUS!
Hello Neighbor. I really have enjoyed watching your videos.
Thank you.
Actually, properly chilled.
Very good.🍾
I wonder how quickly the new 6.8 x 51 barrels will wear out.
In standard brass case version, it shouldn't be extreme. In the hybrid stainless case head military issue, the added pressure certainly will increase barrel deterioration, but one must remember that this is a military tested firearm that has a primary purpose of withstanding combat engagements in full auto fire, so it can't be too bad. From what I can see just looking at the form, it's a standard bore to chamber ratio.
@@GunBlue490 I'm always leery of training with one load and fighting with another that is hotter. I'm sure you are quite familiar with the Newhall Incident.
@@Paladin1873 I'm very familiar, yes. However, good training isn't an either-or, it's an also-and. It's not something to be leery of if done correctly. The best training involves comprehensive training with low-ball ammo for marksmanship and familiarization, followed by comprehensive training with service issue ammo. No, one does not train only with "practice" ammo, and then just strap on service ammo. Nor is it at all good practice to neglect using milder ammo for marksmanship development. Firearms training is no different than batting practice, muscle building, or swimming training... it's a matter of repetition and working up.
I am building a 280AI because I didn't want to fool with the belt while reloading. Otherwise, I would have gotten a 7mm Rem Mag.
I can't decide if I want a 300mag or 300prc reloading has been a consideration. Still haven't decided.
The .280 AI is a more efficient round, and will give you much longer barrel life.
7mm or 28nos were early contenders but I decided 30 cal.
@@Jezus42 - If you are going to reload, either is fine. If you go with the 300 PRC you are limited in your selection of rifles and brass at the moment. Although, that might change in the future. If you’re dead set on a 30 caliber, I would recommend a 300 WSM in a Model 70 Winchester of your choice. Most 30 caliber records have been set with 300 WSM‘s. I shoot a 300 H&H, but the Winchester short mag would be my second choice.
@@falba1492 I'm looking for a long range big game rifle. As I'm sure you are aware losts of options these days, I would say few good choices. A model 70 or a 700 ravage action is in my near future for sure
I wonder if the belted Magnum trend, as well as the reverse, promoting "NON" belted Magnums is largely a sales device? I used a 220 Swift for many years and when I rebarreled, I went with the 22-250Ackley Improved and found that the performance far exceeds Swift velocities with no case stretching, or neck trimming to length, no split necks and the brass life far exceeds the Swift, all due to the 40 degree shoulder. I own 6 different Ackley's and I use Wilson hand dies and an Arbor press. Comments?
Can't even get ammo anymore. All sold out.
Funny now that magnum cartridges are so expensive everyone figured out that you can use 223 and 308 for just about anything.
With or without belt doesn't matter. What matters is how you size the brass. If sizing to headspace on the shoulder instead of the belt accuracy will be comparable all else being equal.
I addressed that issue in my presentation. I also addressed how I do not recommend such snug sizing for hunting, which significantly affects bolt operation. The two types of headspace certainly matter to those who prefer not to neck size, especially for those who own belted magnum autoloaders and must full size.
@@GunBlue490 I've been neck sizing my reloads for my 300 Win Mag. Do you have a recommendation for number of reloadings I should allow per piece of brass?
I was thinking about eventually rebarreling my 7 rem mag to 7 STW but this is making me rethink that a little. I might still do it when this barrel is cashed... sometimes you just gotta go big. That's what magnum shooting and reloading is all about.
Remember that the 7STW takes a rifle with a 3.6 inch magazine. Does your rifle have that. Since they both headspace on the same belt you could just find a gunsmith with a 7STW reamer, and have him lengthen your present chamber. He might have to set it back a thread or two if the angle doesn't make. If you can set the two cartridges side by side on their bases. That will tell you. The right smith could just compare his two different reamers.
@@lynncollins1484 Thank you. This is definitely something I must consider first. If 3.6 is the standard spec and my handloads would potentially be a bit longer than that. If these magazines won't work I don't want to have to single feed or buy a whole new chassis. At that point I might as well just get a whole new gun.
my ruger m77 -7mm mag
The 450 Marlin is belted. Why is that? What's your thoughts about the 450 Marlin, for moderate range big game hunting.
It's quite a good idea, just as it is with the .458 Winchester Magnum. I'm sure that if our early lever rifle designers had known about belted rims, the 30-30 would have one for easier feeding through a loading gate and action.
As a matter of note, the 450 Marlin is designed with a rim that is longer than other belted magnums, so that it cannot be accidentally chambered into a rifle with a smaller bore, which could be quite catastrophic. As Hornady explains, a similar wildcat cartridge called the 458 x 2" American can do just that.
In 2000, Marlin and Hornady teamed up to develop the 450 Marlin. It's more efficient than the 45-70, and with a more modern thick wall case will produce higher velocities at safe chamber pressures. In Hornady's testing, an 18-1/2" barreled 450 Marlin achieved 100 feet per second higher velocity than the same model 1895 Marlin 45-70 that had a 22" barrel, and with similar powder charges. Anything that can be said for the 45-70 can be said for the 450 Marlin, and then some.
Loaded with 300 grain bullets, it's the ultimate close range brush gun, and with 350 grain bullets at 2,000 feet per second, it's certainly up to taking any game in North America, including the big bears. I don't know if it will hang on for long, but I'd take it over a 45-70. Browning and Winchester are currently making them, though Marlin, under the Ruger banner now, has not yet reintroduced them.
@GunBlue490, I was hoping that you might have the answer to a problem? my daughter has a problem pulling back the slide on her 9mm Smith n Wesson Shield compact. its new and should break in a bit more but it is pretty difficult. we live in California for now and are not able to purchase the 9mm shield EZ that has a much lighter spring and possibly larger tolerances. it's not allowed in California. Do you think If I were to order a lighter replacement spring for a shield EZ 380 or a 9mm it would cycle ? any helpful information would be appreciated as she's anxious to move out of California and in to our family property since 1865 in west Virginia. 12 acres in the hills with a large pond a nice creek going through it and our 2nd amendment freedoms. sorry for rambling but it is exciting to move away from California now that its become such a horrible and dangerous place. Thank you sir
I'm sorry that I can't help. Recoil springs are gauged for reliable cycling and buffering with the entire range of commercial ammo, so any reduction would certainly cause issues with excessive battering and may not cycle correctly. It's not uncommon for women to have difficulty with slide operation on certain autos due to hand size and strength. The best approach is to shop for a handgun that she feels comfortable with.
They are allowed in California you will just have to find one on the secondary market. Or find a friend or family member from Oregon or Nevada to quietly import one.
I'm not a lawyer this is not legal advice. Although I may be aware of just that happening.
@@Jezus42 thank you my friend.
@@NIGHTSTALKERsixsixsix my brother lives in Northern California, he suffers from the same issues.
@@NIGHTSTALKERsixsixsix in fact if you have friends or family visiting from just about anywhere else, it's just more common for people visiting to drive from more local states. Damnd airports n all
I'm guessing? But the stack of books to your right work the Hornady and the nosler books? That's my Bible. I do have a 416 Barrett in Noreen. And it is a hoot to shoot. But cost my side with the 50 BMG at lesser cost.
I can't think of a mag. I would want that doesn't have a belt.
240 wb is about the one I would want
I dunno. The 300 Remington Ultra Mag doesn’t seem like a bad cartridge?
@@JeffinTD well maybe the 338 rum.
But the doc says they need to replace my shoulder. My 338wm, 45-70, 358w, 35w and 9.3x62 all got retired
The 6mm don't hurt that bad when there shot. Lol
@@tbjtbj4786 Ouch. Best of luck with the shoulder. I thought I had a shoulder issue, but turns out to be a spinal issue….
Funny I've been asking the same question from a different angle. I want a new mt. rifle and belted or nonbelted, that is the question......300winmag or 300prc? New or old?
I’d go 300 Win Mag because you’ll be able to buy ammo just about any place that sells ammo. 300 PRC is more of a niche rifle designed shoot really heavy high BC bullets. I just don’t see the point.
The 300 Win Mag with a 1:10 twist rate will handle 200 gr boat tails with a BC over .600. What more do you need. Like gunblue my favorite load for the 300 Win Mag is the 200 gr Nosler Partition. With a 200 yard zero and mv of 2850 fps it shoots within 1” of the 130 gr 270 or 180 gr 300 WM load. That load will knock anything in North America down on it’s a$$.
@@strat1080 I live and hunt out west(guess that makes me cool or something, shhesh I was just born here so it's what we got) in Oregon. As stated I want a new mountain rifle. I am also very much looking at having a custom rifle made for the purpose and I'm having a hard time just going 300wm, when there are these new magnums that have higher BCs and grain weights, which means farther and flatter. I contemplated 28 or 30 nos for a bit but barrel life is to short.
@@strat1080 however I'm up for suggestions. I'm leaning towards win mag, but prc does look nice.
@@Jezus42, to me the choice is between a 300 WSM or 300 Win Mag. In a lighter weight mountain rifle I’d go with a 300 WSM and probably use something like a Barnes 175 gr LRX at 2900-3000 fps. Preferably with a 23” barrel. The WSM is a little more efficient with powder so will get you similar ballistics with a little bit less recoil. The shorter powder column will make it a little more efficient with a shorter barrel.
As an all arounder I’d go 300 Win Mag and 24” barrel. There isn’t enough of a difference between the 300 Win Mag and 300 PRC for me to to want to deal with the shortage of ammo diversity and availability with the latter. Keep in mind that recoil is going to be a major factor in a lightweight rifle and the PRC has even more recoil than the Win Mag.
Honestly I’m not a huge believer in using the bullet with highest BC possible fir hunting purposes. I worry more about terminal performance with a hunting bullet. I see nothing wrong with using stuff like Nosler Accubond/Partition, Barnes TTSX, Swift Scirocco, etc. These are proven hunting bullets that won’t let you down. For what I’d use a 30 cal Magnum for I wouldn’t use a high BC bullet like an ELD-x or Berger. I prefer tougher bullets than those. My 300 win Mag is a big game rifle for Moose, Elk, Nilgai, Big Bears etc. It’s not a deer or antelope rifle. I want a tough bullet for these animals.
I think way too much is made of high BC bullets for hunting. 99% of shots in hunting are made within 400 yards. BC won’t make a lick of difference as long as you’re not using flat point or round nose ammo.
BCs really don’t start making an impact until beyond 400 yards and to me are more important in match competitions. I like a decent BC but again, I focus more on the terminal capabilities of the bullet more so than BC.
However if BCs are your thing. Like I said, a 1:10 twist 300 Win Mag will stabilize a 200 gr high BC boat tail bullet. However like I said those high BC bullets are garbage compared to something like a 200 gr Nosler Partition for actually killing game animals. I can use that 200 gr Partition load on anything in North America from 0-600 yards and never waste too much meat and always get an exit. It’s not going to blow up on bone at close range like an ELD-x will.
The 200 gr Partition is an incredible performer. It’ll go through just about any animal in the world and you never really have to worry about shot presentation like the highly frangible high BC bullets that you can pretty much only use with perfect broadside shots. I know it’s not a sexy high BC bullet but it completely outclasses them as an actual hunting bullet. The 200 gr Partition has a measured G1 BC of .500 by Bryan Litz of .501. It hits stuff like a freight train
@@strat1080 the reason I want higher bc bullets is because I like heavy for caliber. I'm not new to 300wm as my buddy has one and shoots the 190 (accubonds I believe) and have shot his rifle and like his. I'm a big boy so the recoil in a 7-9 ish rifle is fine with me. Next I usually keep the elk within 500 but I occasionally shoot further than that. That being said my dream is a 30 cal dbm carbonfiber mt rifle that shoots ttsx or naturalis, and as I can now afford one....I will admit it would be my first custom, so I'm a bit hesitant. Paying that much for a rifle i want it to be what i want. Thanks for the advice!
Well, if it is being bad, then you have to belt it..... Lol... Hello gunblue
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The armed forces did a study on the 30 cal. claiming anything over 06 velocities no gain now jump forward quite a few decades they have a change of hart with the 300 laupa I had a custom barrel made decades ago and never screwed it on anything yet straight one inch straight 12 twist 22'' hydro dipped with brake just been sitting in the corner waiting maybe before I get out of this world🤣😂
I remember when I would shoot a certain pistol named after a snake 🐍 until I got bored on Walmart winchester white box .357, 50rounds for 14 dollars because .38 was only two bucks cheaper, now that snake is too collectible to shoot and the ammo is now 50 dollars, and I thought shooting was a hobby for poor hillbillies.