First of all let me apologize for the delay in delivering Part 2, we will get to the reason for this in the "recoil" section.

Let’s review what firearm is under investigation, by looking at the basic statistics. You knew they were coming, so behave.

Manufacturer……………………… Remington Arms Co.
Model……………………………… 700 LSS
Caliber…………………………….. .300 Rem. Ultra Mag.
Finish……………………………… Matte Stainless
Barrel length………………………. 26 inches
Stock………………………………. Black/Grey laminate
Weight…………………………….. 7 Ύ lbs.
Overall length……………………… 46 ½ inches
Magazine capacity………………… 3
Sights……………………………… None/Leupold Vari-XII 6-18x40mm AO
Action……………………………… Bolt
Trigger pull………………………… 4 lbs. 14 oz.
Twist………………………………. 1 in 10
Safety……………………………… Cross bolt
Suggested retail price……………… ?
Actual cost………………………… $649.95

Now see, that didn’t hurt to much, but this thing did. Initially the factory loads did not recoil that bad for the supposedly a 3,300 FPS load. When I stepped the handloads up to the real 3,200 FPS the recoil was extremely sharp. Thanks to the Ultra’s recoil, I now can take the truck keys out of my left front pocket with my right arm from around my back! Not really, but the felt recoil reminded me of a .340 Weatherby. If you have a hard time with heavy recoil I would suggest using factory 150 grain loads. Let me stop a rumor right now that a chiropractor secretly invented the 300 Ultra. It’s not true.

In Part 1 I mentioned about the rough barrel in the Remington rifle. To my expectation and joy the smoother the barrel became the faster and tighter the Ultra shot, even with factory ammo. Take a look at the factory specs.

Ammunition, factory or reload……….. Factory - Remington Premier Ultra-Mag
.300 Remington Ultra Mag
180 grain Nosler Partition #PR300UM1
Case manufacturer…………………… R-P
Case length…………………………… 2.9380
Case overall length…………………… 3.585
Bullet/diameter……………………….. Nosler Partition 180 grain/.308 dia.
Primer………………………………… Rem 9 ½ M
Powder……………………………….. —

 

Factory/reload	Bullet Weight	Muzzle Velocity	Ft. Lbs. Energy	Target Distance	Yards Zero	Group Size
Factory	180	3250		100 y	100 y	1.9415 Finish
Factory	180	3140		100 y	100 y	3.800 Start

Loads that could not even see the 3,200 FPS mark were well past that with the last three shot group. I felt as though I could remove the brown paper bag off my head I was wearing at the rifle range.

A large percentage of the time an embarrassing rifle can be cured with some custom reloads. No drastic difference was found with the Ultra’s appetite, which is not so bad. Here are the best.

Ammunition………………………….. Reloads
Case manufacturer…………………… R-P
Case length…………………………… 2.8465
Case overall length…………………… 3.600
Bullet/diameter……………………….. Nosler 180 grain Ballistic Tip/.308 dia.
Primer………………………………… Rem 9 ½ M
Powder……………………………….. H1000 Hodgdon 97 grains

RCBS FL Dies.……………………. #17301
Case trim length…………………… 2.845
Flash holes…………………………. uniformed
Primer pockets.……………………. uniformed
COL seated with rifle……………… 3.811
Recommended seating depth………. 3.600
Magazine well overall length……….. 3.700
Lee Auto Primer case opening had to be expanded with a drimel tool
to accept the fat body of the 300 Ultra!

 

Factory/reload	Bullet Weight	Muzzle Velocity	Ft. Lbs. Energy	Target Distance	Yards Zero	Group Size
Reload	180	3208		100 y	100 y	1.3065

Several other powders were tried but with a lower velocity or larger shot group.

Alliant - Reloader #25
Accurate - XMR 3100
IMR - 7828

Remember this very important point, each rifle has its own likes and dislikes. Feed your Ultra a variety of powders to get your best results.

The good - If you like a portable cannon and are in the two percent of shooters who can hit a paper plate three out of three times off hand at 300 yards, boy is this the rifle for you. The Remington 700 series of rifles have always been a well built and accurate piece of equipment. Large game of Arizona are no match for this thumper. Recoil is not as bad on your hind legs looking at a critter -vs- hunched over your rifle and shooting bench, so that should help.

The bad - On this particular rifle it took at least 50 to 60 rounds to ‘start’ smoothing up the barrel. Remington’s stainless barrels are no exception here, I have had similar problems with most production stainless barrels of all manufacturers. Even after 100 rounds fired through the Ultra’s barrel, about six inches back from the crown the barrel actually feels like it gets tight, then opens up again. Maybe it just needs some prostate surgery.

I don’t know about you but I hate to drop at least $35 a box for ammo. Can you say reload? I’m sure your significant other can.

The ugly - Sorry can’t do it guys, it’s just too beautiful of a firearm.

The decision by my son was to sell it. Due to a recent shoulder surgery I could not recommend the use of this firearm because of the greater than normal recoil. Maybe someday if he gets drawn for elk again there is a possibility he may find an Ultra in the closet. If bigger is always better, then the Ultra won’t do because next week there will be something bigger.

Gary McCraw
AZOD Shooting Editor
Shooting@azod.com