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Difference between 300Wthby and 300 Win mag?

JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
edited August 2002 in Ask the Experts
I have been researching my MK V action project, as many of you are now aware, and I looked at the 300's. Now, with a 180gr bullet, both calibers are only seperated by about 30fps.

H1000 300win mag- 83gr @ 3121
300wthby mag 91gr @ 3152

What gives? There has to be some reason that the wthby mag exists with the same muzzle velocity, but burning 8grs more powder. What are the benefits/caveats reguarding this round?

A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.

Comments

  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Your #s and source are incorrect.
    Weatherby at the same pressure and barrel length will be 100-125 fps faster.
    cpermd
  • rick_renorick_reno Member Posts: 186
    edited November -1
    I recently went thru the same process you're doing - I was going to buy a new rifle and only wanted to shoot 180 gr. bullets. I went with the 300 Wby. The 300 Win mag has a short neck and can make bullet seating difficult.
    Remember too that in those FPS measurements you're seeing the 300 Wby is usually shot from a 26 inch barrel, while the 300 Win mag is from a 24 inch barrel (at least in all the data I could find). It's a great cartridge (with a short neck).
  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I own two Weatherbys,only one Weatherby caliber and it happens to be the 300 Weatherby Magnum.Its only my opinion,but Weatherby is for the rich man.There ammo is so expensive,and frankly I dont like them.I was going out west to hunt Elk and already had suitable weapons for Elk,but all my buddies that were going stood by their Weatherby Magnums,so nothing doing I had to have one.Ive used the gun less than 10 times to hunt,its to much gun for me.As far as for my needs,and their over priced as well as their ammo.

    Best!!

    My two cents.

    Rugster
  • pigeoncreek1pigeoncreek1 Member Posts: 217 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    JustC

    The Ballistics that I have are much different..

    These are both with factory loaded 180 BTSP

    .300 WIN 2960 fps/3501 ft lbs
    .300 WBY 3250 fps/4223 ft lbs

    There is a sizeable difference as far as I'm concerned. If your going to shoot a magnum, burning huge powder charges and be putting up with heavy recoil, why not go for the optimal performer?

    As far as the expense, since several companies are chambering or making ammo for the .300 WBY now(Remington, Federal), the cost of reloading is only slightly more than the .300 WIN. The factory rounds are outrageous...handloading is a must!!

    Gun control is hitting your target
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    THANKS GUYS. I got the data I listed, right off of the H1000 container label. I also saw the same type of similarity on the www.accuratereloading.com tables as well. I couldn't discern wether the barrels were different, so I had to ask.

    pigeoncreek1, I havn't looked at my other post to see if you answered about the action strength yet, so I started this thread in case the gunsmith and weatherby tell me to go with less pressures, I.E. 300 instead of 30-378. I am also still investigating how bad the throat erosion will be with the 30-378. Even with todays SS barrels and powders, the physics still dictate that she won't last a lifetime

    BTW, pigeoncreek1, on www.reloadbench.com, someone already beat me to the 30-378 ackley improved.

    Rugster, this rifle will be an estimated 15-18lbs, so recoil is a negligable factor. I mostly shoot crop damage off of a bull bag and bench. But, I do know about the big magnums in pencil barreled/wood stock versions,.....OUCH.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.

    Edited by - JustC on 08/02/2002 13:13:07
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    OK, just went back and waited for the load data to download completely instead of jumping straight to the tables. The explanation is that the 300wthby was a 24" barrel and the 300win was a 27 1/2" barrel. SHEESH, what a difference.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
  • pigeoncreek1pigeoncreek1 Member Posts: 217 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I honestly don't think that the action strength is giong to be a concern, but there will most definately be more erosion with the .30-.378...

    It's an absolutely awsome round, I've seen several whitetails taken at ranges out to 450+ yards, It looked like they were struck by the right hand of God!...Like I said in the other post, the .300 makes more sense if youre not looking at frequent 450-500yd shots, I've taken a few dozen Deer with the .300 using 180gr Hornaday soft points, pushed by 83 grains of H4831..It does a great job, believe me!

    Gun control is hitting your target
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    pigeoncreek1, My shots this year have all been 300+ yds except for one at about 275yds. The farms I shoot crop damage on have 450+yds on one and well over 700-800yds on another. The third is probably better than 1000yds. I am not proficient yet at 500yds and beyond, but I will spend the time on paper before I am shooting at game at those distances. Some say it's unethical, I say they havn't shot enough at that distance to be confident. I will be accurate before I hunt. My sendero 7mm mag with 150gr nosler balistic tip is instantaneous at 350yds, so I have no doubts about a 30-378 to welllllll beyond that.

    A guy I know, who is also the head police sniper and rangemaster, took one at 1100+ the week before last. I think he just won a 1000yd match last weekend also. Might have been in PA? Both with the 300wthby in a Stoli action and hart barrel combination.

    I figure I can work up a load with 180gr bullets to mimick a 300mag and then one for 200gr in the full power range. I am still undecided, but I have wanted to tame the beast for a while now. I'll keep asking questions and keep you informed when the project becomes reality, no matter the caliber. thanks all, for the info.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.

    Edited by - JustC on 08/02/2002 14:53:16
  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've been following the thread with interest. I went to the Weatherby 300 for several reasons. The first and primary was when I was looking for a rifle to replace my Remington 700 in 7mm mag, they were one of the few companies with a left handed magnum rifle. After I got one, the accuracy kept me with Weatherby.

    Factory ammo is expensive, however when you figure the cost of the ammunition as a percentage of total hunt, it is not as large a factor as you would believe.

    As an aside, I used to outfit users going on trips to Alaska, Africa, etc. and heard them complain about the cost of the ammo they had to buy. But when you are consider the cost of the trips including lodging, airfare, licenses and permits, guides, other equipment, and the cost of the rifle, is $30 or $40 a box every other year or so really a large cost? Who is going to target practice with a stock Weatherby and shoot boxes. Two to three shots to sight in after you get there and 1 for the game.

    I reload some, but for hunting I sight in and shoot factory. In my experience the factory ammo is hard to beat: sub 3/4" groups for three shots at 100 yds in my Mk V.

    PS If you go with the Weatherby, have it sent back to the factory to have the Custom Action work done and have it Magnaported. It is worth it.

    Good luck.
  • Guns & GlassGuns & Glass Member Posts: 864 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    On my way to St.Louis, then Lincoln, Nebraska, so this will be short.

    Weatherby ammo isn't made for volume sales like most other brands.
    Match grade hunting ammo.

    >Brass is only Norma. 'Nuff said about that.
    >Magnum primers cost more.
    >Look at the bullets used, and by the makers. Some of he best.
    >Measure cartridge weights. Almost identical. That means components are that close.
    >Check OAL, how the primers are seated, packaging, etc.
    >Chrongraph them, and see how close they measure.

    The rifles also are built overall with some of the finest factory quality control, and finish inside AND out.
    That's what you pay for, if that's what you want.

    Heard one guy say, "It's kinda like buying a 'Vette. If your complaining about the price, you won't like the gas either."

    Happy Bullet Holes!

    Edited by - Guns & Glass on 08/03/2002 07:30:19
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