Cool pics, story, and deer, congrats to all involved.
I shot a 300 win mag at everything for years, shot 180gr Ballistic tips and later Accubonds over a max load of RL22. I truly mean I shot it at everything including rocks, dirt clods, crows, coyotes, etc. It was the only rifle I used other than my 22. I developed a flinch doing it that took me a while to lose, I shot the big gun to much. I actually shot the barrel out on that rifle and when I had it re-barreled my gunsmith recommended the 264 win mag so I went with that. I loaded ammo for that gun anyway. It turned out I love my new 264 for deer and antelope, but I never quite quit missing the power that the 300 had.
Fast forward a decade and I have a moose hunt lined up and am hunting elk every time I can draw a tag. I ended up ordering a lightweight 70 with a few modifications from Rifles Inc. I got it in 300 win mag. Even with the rifle and scope weighing 7lbs 4oz total it is comfortable to shoot with the brake they installed. I took my muley with it this fall on a hard quartering shot and it reminded me why I like the 300 with a tough 180gr bullet. I wish I'd had a brake on the first one, but am very happy with the pair of rifles I have now. The 300 is light and accurate with a lot of punch, the 264 is accurate and being 3lbs heavier an easy rifle to shoot well. Depending on the game between the two I have an ideal rifle and solid back-up rifle for almost all my hunts.
