[mysticplayer]

You will get roughly 5 to 6gr more powder capacity. Probably good for another 50 to 100fps with moderate bullet weights.

Quite a common wildcat now. For reg. hunting, probably not worth the hassle. For LR shooting of 300MK, bigger is better.

Jerry

 

[mysticplayer]

Should work

With a cannon like that, you should be able to get your elk even when it is hiding behind a few trees. That is a big stick.

The stock design is very important to recoil control, as is the recoil pad (try some of the new polymer pads). Getting something that fits will pay big time. Ensure that there is lots of pad contact with the shoulder. Some really straight stocks only leave the heel in the shoulder pocket. You may have to look at some drop depending on your shoulder/eye distance.

Monte Carlo stocks might be just the ticket dispite what the press says. The elevated comb does not cause the stock to roll anymore then a flat comb. All you need to do is extend the MC comb line to the butt and voila a straight stock with more drop.

The way to stop the cheek slap is the have the front of the comb LOWER then the rear so that as the rifle goes back and up, the comb does not hit you.

The Lazzeroni stocks have an exaggerated comb shape but work with his monsters. Shotgun stocks and lever gun stocks are the worse possible design for scope mounted heavy kickers.

I like my stocks to be shaped so that when I bring the rifle up, I do not need to hunker down or twist in order to look through my scope. My head is as upright as possible. For my build, this means a Monte Carlo stock or at least one with some heel drop, higher scope rings. This helps me shoot better in the standing and sitting positions where 90% of my shots are going to be.

Enjoy you cannon...

Jerry

 

[mysticplayer]

If you are on a tight budget, consider the Adams and Benette barrels from Midway or those from ERShaw. Should give you MOA or better performance if properly installed.

For hunting, you don't need match grade accuracy. Elk are pretty big targets. You also don't need a lot of shots, hopefully, so the benefits of heavier contours or fluting are just for show. Get a contour that is as heavy as you want to carry in a length that makes sense in the terrain you hunt.

A big long barrel works great on the range but when up to your eyeballs in deadfalls or trees, I would rather have a lighter, shorter pipe. The lose of 100 to 200fps is not going to make the elk any less dead if I put the bullet in the boiler room.

For me, my hunting rifle has to perform in the field. I must be able to carry it for a long time and put it quickly into action (why I pay so much attention to stock shape and balance). The rest is just fluff that gets in the way...

Jerry

PS want more penetration on game? Slow your impact vels down. If impact vel with those Barnes X are 2500 to 2800fps, it is highly unlikely you will find too many bullets in your game.