WSM

sfetty

What is the advantage of using a short magnum caliber vs a regular magnum caliber? Is it the shorter travel length that the bolt has to go which translates into quicker reloads the main reason?

MIKE WISKEY

1/4" OF BOLT TRAVEL.....THATS IT.

sandwarrior

sfetty,

I'll say one major advantage is that the RSAUM and WSM cases headspace on the shoulder and not the belt. It think it is more accurate that way.

B17-P51

Alot of people (myself included) say that the recoil is much more manageable. I believe that is true based on approx. 8-10 grains less powder and only giving up 50 to 100 fps. If using Barnes bullets, no loss in fps.
I would shoot a short mag over a regular length even if they came in the same action length. The 1/2 inch difference is nothing to crow about. Sandwarrior has another very good point. Longer case life is an advantage created by the situation he mentioned. 300 H&H cases are only good for about 3 loadings usually.

dfletcher

quote:Originally posted by sfetty
What is the advantage of using a short magnum caliber vs a regular magnum caliber? Is it the shorter travel length that the bolt has to go which translates into quicker reloads the main reason?


In theory a shorter action is a bit stiffer and should produce better accuracy - heck, at least that's what I hear. I think for the average shooter there are many other factors.

I have a Savage 12BVSS in 300 WSM and a SIG STR in 300 Mag. Also have a Winchester 1885 (new manufacture) in 7 WSM and a Remington PSS in 7 Rem Mag. The Savage is more accurate than the Sig, the Remington more accurate than the Winchester - in fact, the Remington is the most accurate of the bunch. How so? Probably because I've shot it the most, it has relatively little recoil (heavy gun with mercury recoil reducers)and a great trigger. I don't think I'd ascribe the accuracy results to long or short.

The WSMs are a pleasure to reload and I do think they kick a bit less.

tsr1965

I do agree to an extent with sandwarrior, and B17-P51. The WSM headspaces on the shoulder, and the Magnum uses the belt....if you are shooting factor rounds or SAAMI spec handloads. Most handloaders these days do not load for the less expense reason, but rather for accuracy, performance, and just as a hobby to roll your own.

When loading for accuracy, the neck sizer die comes into play, and one is essentially not touching the case shoulder, or body, just the neck. This essentially makes the case fit to a perfect match to the chamber in which it was fired, somewhat taking away the headspacing on the belt of the MAGNUM case, and transferring that to the shoulder. As stated in previous post on this thread, the WSM does give up some performance to the MAGNUM when using heavier bullets, but is on par with anything up to 165 grain(300WSM)

Best