I just ordered one of Jim Bordens new actions iw will have a WSM bolt face. Now I need to decide what barrel to order.
I'm going to buld light for long walks in the woods. I plan on huning whitetail to Moose with it. I want long range accuracy and preformace out to 600yd.
So the question is what caliber 6.5, 270, 7mm, 300, 325, or 338.
I'm also trying to decied which barrel maker I want to use.
Thanks
Dr B

I don't think you will get a 338 with the WSM bolt. The 325 is probably the best choice of the WSM. I don't know that it will have the staying power of the 300 WSM though.

John

My 270 WSM works great. ALthough strictly factory it is a shooter. Most accuracte rifle I own. Sub 1/2 at 100.

I believe 7mm caliber has the most potential for the WSM cartridge, with a great range of bullets from 100 to 190 grains readily avaliable, many of them with a high BC making them excellent for long range work I believe the 7mm WSM would be the best choice for your needs.

The only other one that I would consider would be the 300 WSM.

7mm or .300 as their are many projectile choices in either calibre .The 7mm has quite a bit less recoil so may be a consideration in a light rifle . The .300 obviously has a bit more grunt .

I'd go with the 7mm, more bullet selection than the 270 and as potent as the 300. The 325 if you are looking to duplicate 338 performance.

I have a Model 70 7WSM, I feel confident it will take any thing except maybe the big bears.

I vote for the 325 WSM

I would only consider the 270 WSM or the 300. The others are not popular and in particular the 7mm WSM requires a special case.

On one hand you want a rifle for long walks in the woods and on the other to shoot, I presume, big game at 600 yds!

I don't know what to say! I don't want to shoot a lightweight 300 magnum of any persuasion and 600 yds is too far for me.

I'm a big fan of the 7mm. Jay

I'm a pretty big 270 fan. So my choice is obvious.

But some questions:
How light? If the rifle will be an ultralight, I would opt for the 270. It will work on whitetails to moose. Be easy to carry and won't pound you too much.

Do you have a favorite caliber? Do you have a whole bunch of bullets in one caliber already? There's something to be said for reloading inventory management.

Where do hunt 90% of the time? If your hunting is in dense cover and close range.A bigger diameter would serve you better. I like the 338 for that. I can't help but imagine that a 338 wouldn't do a great job. I own two 338-06's and have very impressed with the performance. A 338 WSM would have more velocity than the 338-06 while not quite matching the 338WM.

If you want the most versatile caliber in the world. Go no farther than than the 300.

You won't go wrong with any of the above calibers. Lay in a bunch of brass and you will be set for life. The calibers aren't going anywhere.

That's my personal opinion. While I'm not a fan of the 6.5, 7mm or 8mm. They would all do the job. I think you will have go with your gut feeling.

Easy... 270wsm !

I agree with Savage. But if I had to pick just one it would be the 300. More bullet choices out there than you can shake a stick at. If I had to make a guess as to which WSM would disappear first I would say 7mm. In fact, most rifles I see being sold in any 7mm calibers anymore seem to be selling slow.

quote:

Originally posted by Savage 99:
in particular the 7mm WSM requires a special case.

Hi Savage, what is special about the 7mm WSM case? Thanks.

Copula ergo sum

I believe it is slightly longer than the 270WSM so it cannot be inadvertedly chamber in a 270.

Easy answer. Get the .325. No doubt about it. You can use the 180 grain for deer sized game and then go with heavier bullets for moose.

600 yards? That's far. I'm not sure it matters what caliber you're using in WSM since 600 yards may be a little too far for what a WSM was made for. 400 yards isn't a problem.

I have both a 270WSM and 300WSM in light weight NULAs. Either is very capable of handling both and deer and moose. If you intend to hunt mostly moose, then lean toward the larger calibers.

I will tell you, if you plan on making a light weight gun, the 270WSM will be much more comfortable to shoot. The 270WSM loaded with Barnes TSX will have impressive terminal results.

I will be using my 270WSM for a Dall/Caribou/Moose hunt in the NWT next year.

Also, the bolt face for the WSMs are all the same, regardless of caliber.

Easy,300WSM,with a HART barrel,Ackleyfan

I'm partial to the 300, with 165-168 @ 3100+ in a 7# rig, what isn't there to like? Though I admit a 7mm pushing 140's around 3200+ would also be a nice combo.

A couple thoughts on the WSM's, I can't see using the round unless you are building a lightweight rifle, nor can I see using a barrel shorter than 24", as you give up the velocity you want from the round. I also can't see going with the over 30 bores, because I don't want to be shooting bullets over 200 gr 2700 fps or more in a very light rifle.

Sighted in my new 270 WSM the yesterday. When I got it dialed in the last 3 shot group was 2" high at 100 and all the bullet holes touched. Very little recoil ,140 grain partitions. I think I'm going to like this rifle. Out of the box Winchester Feather Wt.

I shot groundhogs with my 270 WSM last year loaded with 100 grn sierras oh my god what a chuck buster!!!! with 130's it kills the hell out of deer to. But the .300 is probably the most versatile.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY 270 WSM!!! Although, considering that you will go up to moose I would spring for the 300 WSM. The 270 WSM will take care of moose also, but I'm trying not to be too biased towards the 270 WSM

My smith has built a few of the 6.5WSMs. He seems to be impressed. Other than that, you're already in good shape. Just draw straws. I do love most 7s. I like Jim Borden, he answers my emails!!!! Good choice!!!

I think SDhunter said a lot very well.

The light weight woods rifle has me leaning toward the smaller end of the scale. How light of a rifle are you building? Punishing recoil isn't interesting to me.
The mention of 600 yards brings up different issues. In that I'd want the 7mm or .300 for the bullet choice.

I would split the difference in weight, top it with a 2.5x8 and the caliber for me would be .300 WSM only because I don't have one. The 7mm WSM would work like the 7mm RM pretty much and I have the older one and like it a lot. I also shoot a .338WM and love the way it performs but it looses a lot in distance. So for me the .338 and 8mm are out of the running. The WSM version of the 270 may be decent. My stomach churns when I say it, as I really don't care for the .270W but it works, and although I don't care for it really, in an ulta light rifle it may be what you really would do the best with. You also can get properly head stamped brass.

With the rifles I presently own. I'd seriously consider a 6.5-WSM. It may not be worth the trouble of a wildcat but it would be like a short .264 WM and it is pretty good for everything from speed goats to moose. A little light for the bigger animals but pretty effective. Nate

I Have a 7mmwsm in a Rem 700 action with a 24" Hart Barrel made up by www.hartbarrels.com it is the finest shooting, handling rifle I have ever had made up.
Gun weighs 6.7lbs with mcmillan stock,sling and recoil pad

Well, you're asking for a lot, whitetail to moose in a light rifle for out to 600yd!
I'd take the 6.5 for a light rifle for whitetail out to as far as I can handle, and wouldn't mind going moose hunting with it and the right load, though it wouldn't be my choice. (A lightweight wouldn't be my choice for a moose hunt anyway.)
If I really planned on taking longrange shots at big animals, and it had to be in a light WSM, it would be 300 with a 180 of good BC and lots of practice. Ouch!

300WSM would be the ideal cal for your needs IMO,but you couldn't loose with the 270,7mm & 325WSM's.

If your wanting to use a light weight rifle I would go with the least recoil. Therefore the 270WSM with Barnes 140gr TSX bullets.

I have NULA's in both 270 and 300 WSM's as Peacebrook does. Both are fine rifles and very accurate. However, I find myself going to the 270 WSM for most hunts. Very capable to handle your intended purposes and a pleasure to shoot.

The .270 WSM is plenty for your needs. As others mentioned, in a light weight rifle it makes and excellent combo. I have several of both the 300 and 270 wsm's and they all are real shooters. With some of the new bullets, like the barnes and the accubond, the terminal performance is just great, and they will really sing on the big animals as well.

Good Luck--Don

I would say a 300 WSM for ultimate versatility or the 325 WSM to be unique.

JMO

Good Luck