In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

300 WSM or 300 Win. Mag.?

woodybr549woodybr549 Member Posts: 40 ✭✭
edited January 2006 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I mentioned before that I was looking at purchasing a 300 WSM. I appreciate all of your responses. I got to looking at ballistics and the 300 WSM and 300 Win. Mag. are very similar. Is there an advantage either way. Noise, cost, ammo availability, etc. Maybe some input from you guys can help me decide. This will be my large caliber, large game rifle. I use a 270 for whitetail. Thanks
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • young n dumyoung n dum Member Posts: 2,327 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    advantages: short action ie smaller rifle, more efficient combustion ie less felt recoil/shorter bbl

    disadvantages: WSM doesn't load well with anything over 180grain pills, starts to restrict case capacity, very small velocity loss, less factory ammunition

    I chose the .300WSM because of the small advantages in rifle weight and due to the fact I think the 180 grain .30 pill is about perfect
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodybr549woodybr549 Member Posts: 40 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree, 180 grain is great and I probably would never need or want larger. Do you think in years to come the WSM will continue to be popular and ammo continue to be available like the proven win. mag.?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • young n dumyoung n dum Member Posts: 2,327 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't think it will ever be AS popular as the .300 mag but I think the .270wsm and .300wsm have made their mark and are here to stay.....besides im recently a handloader and have about 200 pieces of brass from my previous shooting....I figure I buy another couple hundred pieces and im set even if it goes out of style[:D]

    not so sure about the 7mmWSM or the wssm's......
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • young n dumyoung n dum Member Posts: 2,327 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    and woody....I can't speak the praises of my elk gun enough....it's a tikka t3 lite in .300wsm.....you've got to check them out
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodybr549woodybr549 Member Posts: 40 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks a lot for your imput.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodybr549woodybr549 Member Posts: 40 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I will, I haven't decided on the make yet. I am fond of Rugers, but not against looking at others.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MichibayMichibay Member Posts: 816 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think your .270 and .300 Mag is a good combination. Although if you are going to stick to two rifles...the .338 might be a better choice for your "heavy"!

    About 30 years ago I took "your combination" to Montana to hunt the Bob Marshall. I drew a Grizzly permit (1972) and took a .300 Win Mag Remington Model 700 for "Smokey the Bear"...and planned to use my .270 on Elk...with stiff 150 gr hand loads.

    One day carrying my .300 my guide jumped three elk and they ran 20 yards in front of me. I shot a nice bull at 20 yards and that was the end. I never did see a bear!

    By the way...I think with all the "buzz" currently with the short-mags...there are some "Buys" to be had on the older long magnums. I just picked-up a nice Browning A-Bolt (1987 vintage) .300 win mag for $350 bucks...not bad!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ContacFrontContacFront Member Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Woodybr549,

    It really depends on which rifle you are going to shoot these rounds out of.

    If you plan on having a 22" or under barreled rifle, go with the 300WSM.

    Now if you plan on having a 24" to 26" rifle, go with the 300win.

    The 300WSM does not beat the 300win, no way, no how. The 300WSM however is MORE EFFICIENT in a shorter barreled rifle.

    In the shoter barrels you do not have the length to burn the full 70+ grain of powder which the 300win mag case has. Therefore a 300WSM is a better choice in IMO.

    But if you plan on a 24" to 26" rifle the 300win will kick the 300WSM * down range.

    You can launch a 190gn bullet 3000FPS easily out of a 26" or shoot the heavier bullets like 200gn, 220gn and even big 240gn depending on your twist rate.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • david mcintyredavid mcintyre Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ditto what young an dum said. if you reload the case life will be more on the non-belted WSM and use less powder.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,035 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    when the .300 wsm came out I thought 'what the hell, I'll build one of each'just to compare them. same action, same brand barrel ect. Accuracy was about the same, velocity (only compared 180 gn. bullets) was about the same (.300 wsm generated lots more pressure to do this, I was getting .0015" case head expansion with factory ammo). .300 win. mag. got better gas milage (more vel./gn. of powder). If you want a short light rifle =.300wsm, if you want a std. weight rifle =.300 win mag.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ContacFrontContacFront Member Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 300win will also give you a wider variety of bullet weights also I believe. 300WSM just doesnt have the * to push the heavier bullets.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • StealthStealth Member Posts: 27 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have read that the 300wsm does not do well with big bullets in most test but I have shot 210gr VLDs and 200gr HPBT Sierras with very good results in my 300WSM.
    The 168gr Sierra and 168Amax did very good at shorter ranges out to 600yds,The 180gr Noslers would only group about 1.5" @ 100 but my best long range groups have been with the 200gr Sierras at 2753fps with a 26" barrel.
    Just my opinion get the WSM.[:D]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodybr549woodybr549 Member Posts: 40 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks a lot. I am leaning towards the 300 WSM, but still have not completely decided.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • StealthStealth Member Posts: 27 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    What brand and make of gun are you thinking on ?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodybr549woodybr549 Member Posts: 40 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Im going to buy a Ruger M77. A 22 in. 300WSM or a 24 in. 300 Win Mag.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,175 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm a little late to this, but want to put in a good word for the Savage 12BVSS in 300 WSM - great rifle, comfortable to shoot with a nice trigger. Shoots everything from 110 JHP to 190 MatchKings accurately.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • autonauton Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Win 70 in 300 WSM one of the most accurate guns I have.

    With IMR 4831 @ 69.0 and 168 TSX and can get 3200 FPS using WLRM Primers in WW Cases......excellent accuracy 1/2" @ 100 yards.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.