I have talk of this caliber. Has anyone got any scoop on it. I am thinking of building a custom rifle and had pretty much decided on the 6.5/284 until I heard about this one. Accuracy? Barrel life? Thanks, Keith
If you do get any info on that caliber, please let me know as I am considering the 6.5/284 myself and might want to switch to that one. Actually, where can I see some reports on the 300 WSM? Any reported velocities or ballistics? I can't find anything on this.
Look in the June issue of "G&A" - "A den Full of Wildcats," by Bob Forker. He gives a decent account of the new .300WSM, plus a listing of wildcats from .22-300WSM through .350-300WSM, including the 6.5-300. In addition he gives comparisons with current production magnums. "American Rifleman", and I believe, a prior issue of "G&A" also have had introduction pieces on the new calibre. By the way, the .338-300WSM looks like a ringer for the .338-06 A.
If you are interested in more performance than is available with the 6.5/.284, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Folks are just now starting to equal the original claims for the .264 Win Mag. Further powder development will have to occur, then I suspect barrel life will be poor. Practicality prempts attempts to increase powder capacity much beyond that of the .30/06 size cases at the present. Perhaps the current craze for super magnum velocities will drive the powder companies to develop more "high energy" types.
------------------ Guns cause crime, which is why there has never been a mass slaying at a gun show.
According to the article referrenced above, the 6.5-300WSM and .264 Win Mag both produced 3030fps in 140gr loads. Several reports I've read allude to the oversize dimension (case diameter) relative to 06 size cases as a factor in highly efficient powder burn rate. Me, I don't really know: just reporting here.
Just talked to a guy who owns a 6.5/300 weatherby and he got 3,350 fps with the Sierra 142 MK. The 6.5/284 gets around 3050 to 3100 depending on barrel length. I don't know about the 6.5/300WSM.
