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300 WSM vs 300 Win Mag
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posted
Next year I plan on putting together a new "go to" rifle for the majority of my hunting. I have used a 300 WSM for the majority of my hunting in the last 10 years, and I love the caliber. I like having a short-action magnum caliber.....

....BUT....

I am considering a 300 Win Mag for this new rifle.

I plan on spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,500-$5,000 (including optics)....and this will likely be my "go to" rifle from then on.

Question:
So here's the question.....which caliber and (more importantly) WHY?

Choices:
300 WSM
300 Win Mag

 


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Posts: 3111 | Location: Hockley, TX | Registered: 01 October 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by just-a-hunter:

Don't you have an A-bolt .300 WSM already? Whats wrong with that?

Todd


Yessir....I do, and there is not a thing "wrong" with it. I just want to upgrade to a higher quality rifle.


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Hunt Report - South Africa 2022

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Posts: 3111 | Location: Hockley, TX | Registered: 01 October 2005Reply With Quote
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Go with a .300 H&H and never look back. It can be loaded with anything from 150gr to 220gr easier than any of the other .300 magnums, feeds the best of all the .300's, is easiest to handload, and has all the nostalgia on it's side. 200's and 220's in the H&H are magic.

If you don't hand load, then it doesn't matter. All the other .300 mags are very similar.


JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72
David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore
Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06
Walther PPQ H2 9mm
Walther PPS M2
Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus
And Too Many More
 
Posts: 1857 | Location: Chattanooga, TN | Registered: 10 August 2010Reply With Quote
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Wade,

What kind of rifle are you building? Can you tell us a little more about your plans?



 
Posts: 1941 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 July 2009Reply With Quote
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Here's the why: I've owned three 300 WM, and the cartridge, IMHO, is on par with the 308 as being ridiculously accurate. It's also much easier to obtain ammo for in a pinch.


Phil Massaro
President, Massaro Ballistic Laboratories, LLC
NRA Life Member
B&C Member
www.mblammo.com

Hunt Reports- Zambia 2011
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1481089261

"Two kinds of people in this world, those of us with loaded guns, and those of us who dig. You dig."
 
Posts: 441 | Location: New Baltimore, NY | Registered: 14 February 2008Reply With Quote
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I voted for the .300 WSM. Why?

Because I have reamers for other cartridges based on the .300 WSM brass, and don't feel like sizing down .300 Win Mag brass and turning the belt off of it for them. With a .300 WSM, I can use its brass as brood stock (donor cases) for my other rifles referred to, and of course it is the exact thing for a .300 WSM rifle. homer

I've currently got 4 different .300 Mags, and for whatever reasons, they are all very accurate. tu2

The .300 H&H is not the only .300 that can quite handily use the 220 gr. bullet. My .300 Wby performs that trick quite well. coffee Because of the freebore and long neck, it could probably use 250 gr., 275 gr., or even 300 gr. 30 caliber bullets if I had any.

If you plan to use the rifle you're going to build outside the U.S., or a long way from home, you might want to stick with the .300 Win Mag unless you are sure you can buy .300 WSM ammo wherever you WILL be using it....


My country gal's just a moonshiner's daughter, but I love her still.

 
Posts: 9685 | Location: Cave Creek 85331, USA | Registered: 17 August 2001Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by scottfromdallas:
Wade,

What kind of rifle are you building? Can you tell us a little more about your plans?


Well the plans are still in the very early stages.....but I will likely base it on a Sako 85 action. I would like to attach an aftermarket, stainless-fluted, medium-heavy barrel of around 23". I would also like to place it into a McMillan (or similar quality) synthetic "monte carlo" stock.

As far as optics goes.....I plan to put one of the new Leupold VX-6 scopes (assuming they come out with something around a 2.5-15x50mm model).


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Hunt Report - South Africa 2022

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Posts: 3111 | Location: Hockley, TX | Registered: 01 October 2005Reply With Quote
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300 WSM, less powder, less recoil, ballistic twin, and you already own 1


Mike

Legistine actu? Quid scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10157 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Eland Slayer:
quote:
Originally posted by scottfromdallas:
Wade,

What kind of rifle are you building? Can you tell us a little more about your plans?


Well the plans are still in the very early stages.....but I will likely base it on a Sako 85 action. I would like to attach an aftermarket, stainless-fluted, medium weight barrel of around 23". I would also like to place it into a McMillan (or similar quality) synthetic "monte carlo" stock.

As far as optics goes.....I plan to put one of the new Leupold VX-6 scopes (assuming they come out with something around a 2.5-15x50mm model).


Sounds like you are building a really nice light weight rifle. I'd vote for the 300 WSM. You'll shave a little weight off by using a short action. Ballistically they are the same.



 
Posts: 1941 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 July 2009Reply With Quote
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I think that in a LA the choice is less clear (i.e. a 300WSM LA), but for the ability to use bigger higher BC bullets I prefer the .300 WM. I use mostly 200gr-210gr bullets (working with 180's again now too though!) and I think that it where the 300 WM will outdo the 300 WSM somewhat (certainly with our powders over here). If you like the 300 WSM maybe build one on a long action?

I think that the feeding issues with the WSM's are now resolved, although I'd check that the custom rifle builder that you choose will guarantee the feeding as I've spoken to some of the builders here who have indicated that not all actions are that easy with the 300 WSM, but then maybe they have less expereince with them.

If I were building a mountain rifle and wanted to save weight I'd go with the SA and therefore the 300 WSM (although I'd give consideration to the 7mm's and the 7 RSAUM in that case; higher BC's and all that Wink).

Let us know what you plan on "going to" with the rifle and what planned type of hunting too.

And please be sure to let us know what you choose.

Looking again and seeing the 23" barrel and that you seem to be leaning towards lighter weight it seems that you may be better served by a SA and a 300 WSM.

If I were building one rifle I'd go with a LA and 25-26" barrel in 300 WM.
 
Posts: 224 | Location: South Africa | Registered: 15 July 2008Reply With Quote
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I actually meant to state that I plan on using a "medium-heavy" barrel (edited my post above). I am not looking to make this a lightweight rifle at all. I am perfectly fine with the rifle being somewhere in the 8 to 9.5 lb range after mounting the scope. I mostly plan on going with the 23" barrel for maneuverability reasons. I definitely do not want longer than a 24" barrel on this rifle....


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Hunt Report - South Africa 2022

Wade Abadie - Wild Shot Photography
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Posts: 3111 | Location: Hockley, TX | Registered: 01 October 2005Reply With Quote
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I should also add that I do not re-load and do not plan to (not saying it's impossible....just not likely). So, that is one of the major reasons I was leaning towards the 300 Win Mag for this rifle....for a wider selection of ammunition.


_______________________________________________________

Hunt Report - South Africa 2022

Wade Abadie - Wild Shot Photography
Website | Facebook | Instagram
 
Posts: 3111 | Location: Hockley, TX | Registered: 01 October 2005Reply With Quote
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It would seem as simple as deciding if you want a long or short action. I think the WM might have a slight advantage when it comes to heavy bullets but probably not enough to worry about.

Terry


--------------------------------------------

Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
 
Posts: 6315 | Location: Mississippi | Registered: 18 May 2002Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Eland Slayer:
I should also add that I do not re-load and do not plan to (not saying it's impossible....just not likely). So, that is one of the major reasons I was leaning towards the 300 Win Mag for this rifle....for a wider selection of ammunition.


I'm a big fan of the 300WSM have hunting rifle and a tactical rig. BUT if you are not reloaidng I think I would go with 300WinMag. More choices in factory ammo especially at the higher bullet weight categories.

Just my thoughts.

AND GET RELOADING!!!!!!!!
 
Posts: 969 | Registered: 13 October 2009Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by BISCUT:
quote:
Originally posted by Eland Slayer:
I should also add that I do not re-load and do not plan to (not saying it's impossible....just not likely). So, that is one of the major reasons I was leaning towards the 300 Win Mag for this rifle....for a wider selection of ammunition.


I'm a big fan of the 300WSM have hunting rifle and a tactical rig. BUT if you are not reloaidng I think I would go with 300WinMag. More choices in factory ammo especially at the higher bullet weight categories.

Just my thoughts.

AND GET RELOADING!!!!!!!!


I agree. If you don't reload you have a lot more choices with the 300 Win Mag.



 
Posts: 1941 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 July 2009Reply With Quote
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6 to 1, half a dozen to another. But, since you already have a 300wsm, why not build the 300 Win? Nothing wrong with having 2 300wsm's either but hey, something different but the same, sounds nice to me. Besides even if you had both rifles in 300wsm, there is no guarantee that they are going to like the same ammo, so you might end up buying different ammo for each rifle anyways. Of course, if they DID like the same ammo, then you are saving money by buying more boxes of the same stuff.

Still, I'm putting my vote on the Win Mag. I've had both, like both, will own both again. Currently using a 300 Wby. I just like 300 mags!


If you think every possible niche has been filled already, thank a wildcatter!
 
Posts: 2287 | Location: CO | Registered: 14 December 2007Reply With Quote
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As you do not reload, I'd suggest the .300 Win. mag. I do not currently own a .300 WSM but have shot the cartridge to some extent when I did the load work up for my ex-son in law for his Winchester M70 Classic Featherweight. I also shot a Winchester M70 Classic in the WSM. Very nice cartridge and while I wouldn't mind owning that Classic Featherweight, I seriously doubt I'd ever buy one unless the price was ridiculously low.
I chose the .300 Win. Mag. mostly because I have four. Three Ruger #1's and a Winchester M70. One Ruger is a "B" model and the other two are the "S" model, one of which is a 200th Year of American Liberty gun. I haven't shot the Lberty gun yet as it's a recent acquisition but the other two a right or just below MOA with my handloads. The M70 came as a Walmart special with a cheap Simmons scope and what appears to be a blind magazine NcMillan stock. Eeker It has a fairly slim 26" barrel that is surprisingly very accurate. I have two loads for the gun,a Speer 200 gr. Hot Core and the 200 gr. Nosler Partiton. Both loads shoot close enough to be usable way out yonder, mix and match. Velocity is 2930 FPS using a powder no longer available. Those loads work in the two Rugers I've shot and in the M70.
The big reason I probably will never buy a .300 WSM is with four .300 Win. mags on hand, why bother?
Oh you might want to rethink that barrel length. A 26" barrel isn't all that unweildy after all. I gave consideration to cuttin mine back but after using it on a few hunts, it's not that big a problem.
Paul B.
 
Posts: 2814 | Location: Tucson AZ USA | Registered: 11 May 2001Reply With Quote
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Well if you do that then you will have a couple of apples..All the 300 mags are pretty much clones as to balistics...

Why not go up to perhaps a .338 or down to a 270?


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42190 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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I am 50% with Ray,

I would go up to the 338 Winchester.

I'd shoot 225 to 250 Grain Accubonds, Swift Scirroccos, or Barnes X Bullets.

For a stock I'd use www.mannerstocks.com they make a Tactical monte carlo stock I really like.

I would personally not use a Sako 85, unless you had one that you got really cheap. There are far better rifle actions to build a custom rifle on.

Actually the Tikka T3 (made in the same plant as the 85) is a stiffer action.

But since your doing push feed anyway I'd do a Howa 1500, put a tactical type bolt knob on it, and the afore mentioned Manners stock. The 1500 is a $300 rifle, and it is stiffer than a 85. The problem with an 85 if it doesn't turn out you spent $1500 on a donor rifle. Howas are super easy to true, and we have really good luck down here turning them into very accurate rifles. Honestly you would have to buy a custom M700 clone like a Surgeon, Nesika, Predator, etc... to get the features in a Howa 1500.

1. One piece bolt handle integral to the bolt.
2. Integrally lugged reciever
3. Adapatability to m700 type truing processes
4. large range of after market floor plates, triggers, and mounts.

Here is how I would build it.

338 Winchester #6 Lilja 1 in 10 twist fluted cut to 23 inches (good pick on length)
Warne 1913 Rail epoxied and 8x40 bolted on
Hakkan Spurh 30 or 34mm ring mount
Badger tactical bolt handle (so you can really get a hold of the bolt)
Timney match Howa 1500 trigger
Manners MCS-T stock
Pete Lincoln Roedale AICS bottom metal (because I want more than 3 rounds)
Cerakote in FDE or MILSPEC Green
I'd use the Schmidt Bender 4-16x56 PM2 if money was no object, but because it is. I'd be more than happy with the 5-20x50 Trijicon (as I have 2 of them).

But here's a couple of things to consider.

I was a military armorer, and I can build/fix my own rifles.
I shoot competative F-Class almost every weekend, and about 1500 rounds of 308 a year between taking care of a friends place varmint infestation and competition.

To me .308 caliber is a comprimise. 6.5 and .338 are way better for BC and long range shooting. Most 308 bullets we think of as high in BC are not. Like the 168 Grainers and 190s. True high BC bullets for the .308 caliber are all in the 220 plus realm. And most rifles won't stabilize them.

Even though the 338 Winchester isn't hell on wheels in the speed department it is as fast as the 30-06 and with the BC increase beats the crap out of the old .308 caliber magnums in SD and BC.

Just my 2 cents, I am sure many will dissagree.
 
Posts: 955 | Location: Until I am back North of 60. | Registered: 07 October 2011Reply With Quote
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300 win mag that way if you want you can shoot 200 grain bullets.

I would also suggest you look at a Stiller, Kelbly or Borden action for your build. Lots of good triggers, magazine options and scope mounts available.

BigB
 
Posts: 1401 | Location: Northwest Wyoming | Registered: 13 March 2001Reply With Quote
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Big B,

And you can't shoot 200 grn bullets in a WSM?


Mike

Legistine actu? Quid scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10157 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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i've owned both, killed elk, deer, and hogs with both. i couldn't tell the difference when shooting either 150gr or 180gr bullets. one is as good as the other if you stick with 180gr bullets or lighter.
 
Posts: 678 | Location: lived all over | Registered: 06 January 2005Reply With Quote
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Mike,

Eland Slayer said he did not reload and I am not aware of 200 grain factory loads for the 300WSM.

BigB
 
Posts: 1401 | Location: Northwest Wyoming | Registered: 13 March 2001Reply With Quote
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The .300 Win Mag and the .300 WSM are not ballistically the same, the .300 Win Mag is superior and more versitile. Factory ammunition is generally cheaper too.

Ammo Guide lists a couple of loads for 180 gr bullets at 3220 fps for the .300 Win Mag. For the .300 WSM they list 3,123 fps as the best 180 gr velocity.


Don't ask me what happened, when I left Viet Nam, we were winning.
 
Posts: 444 | Location: Rockport, Texas | Registered: 19 August 2007Reply With Quote
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I don't think you can just look at a couple of loads from 1 source. There is to much variation in barrels and chambers.

Besides a max book load may not even be safe in another rifle.

I analyzed Hodgdon's website, Barnes #4, and Nosler # 5 and calculated the average for the maximum velocity for all loads listed at 180, 200 & 220 grns (note for the 220 its only Hodgdon and Noslers as Barnes doesn't make a 220).

300 WSM

180 grn, 35 loads, avg max vel 2957
200 grn, 29 loads, avg max vel 2799
220 grn, 17 loads, abg max vel 2691

300 WM

180 grn, 40 loads, avg max vel 2970
200 grn, 38 loads, avg max vel 2824
220 grn, 19 loads, abg max vel 2698

300 WM is 13, 25, and 7 fps faster respectively.

I think that pretty much makes them ballistic twins.


Mike

Legistine actu? Quid scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10157 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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I went thru this same decision process. Best I can tell is the WSM is more efficient with a little less powder. I chose the WM for the longer magazine in case I go to another magnum caliber I have more options. If I had the extra cash I would have both and would be looking to add a lot more calibers also. I'm sure Winchester will be more than happy to sell me as many as I want

I for one am glad to have the extra choices even tho it makes me want to spend more money.There are many calibers out there with similar balistics and I hope to die with a safe full of them. The only one you have to please is yourself so if you like a certain cartridge then go for it and enjoy.

BTW you should look at Hill Country Rifles and some of their Stiller Predator rifles. It's almost exactly what you described and they have 1/2 inch accuracy or less.
 
Posts: 264 | Registered: 20 July 2011Reply With Quote
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.300wm will have much greater availability of ammunition anywhere in the world you find yourself. This is not an inconsequential consideration if you travel with your rifle.


Mike
______________
DSC
DRSS (again)
SCI Life
NRA Life
Sables Life
Mzuri
IPHA

"To be a Marine is enough."
 
Posts: 3577 | Location: Silicon Valley | Registered: 19 November 2008Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by LionHunter:
.300wm will have much greater availability of ammunition anywhere in the world you find yourself. This is not an inconsequential consideration if you travel with your rifle.


This has been my main consideration in this whole ordeal. I have already decided to go with the .300 Win Mag.

I really appreciate everyone's responses....

Thank you.


_______________________________________________________

Hunt Report - South Africa 2022

Wade Abadie - Wild Shot Photography
Website | Facebook | Instagram
 
Posts: 3111 | Location: Hockley, TX | Registered: 01 October 2005Reply With Quote
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See number 12 snd 13


Mike

Legistine actu? Quid scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10157 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Just to add my two cents worth, I have a new Sako 85 Finn light in 300 WSM, and it is great feeling. The new stock has a different monte carlo shape and feel, and it has the palm swell on the pistol grip. It has the fluted barrel, and is a great, great, did I say great rifle.

I also have a Model 70 Extreme Weathe in 7-08 that I sent to McMillan and had a stock built for. Another great rifle, and it is a 1/2" @ 100 or less gun. I had my stock built on the old Sako Hunter profile, and it has the Monte Carlo stock with the palm swells.

The stock on the new Sako 85 finn light is great, and if it were me, I would surely consider not spending the extra for an after market stock. You should fondle one for a while at least.

I am another 300 WSM fan, and I also have one in the Kimber Montana. Love em both. As for glass, I have a Leica with the #4 reticle, and 2 Swarovski Z6 scopes. I know they are great scopes, but I can buy 3 Zeiss Conquests with the Rapid Z 600 reticle for the price of one of the others. The others also require 30mm hardwear. Extra weight! I have become a big Zeiss fan, but still love Leupold also. May try a ZX6 some time.

Good Luck! tu2
 
Posts: 250 | Location: Alabama | Registered: 07 December 2007Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by mdstewart:
Go with a .300 H&H and never look back. It can be loaded with anything from 150gr to 220gr easier than any of the other .300 magnums, feeds the best of all the .300's, is easiest to handload, and has all the nostalgia on it's side. 200's and 220's in the H&H are magic.

If you don't hand load, then it doesn't matter. All the other .300 mags are very similar.


Nice,,, the H&H is just classy


Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
 
Posts: 2605 | Location: Western New York | Registered: 30 December 2003Reply With Quote
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I voted for the WSM for several reasons. I have two .300 WM's. It's a great cartridge, but both of my rifles are finicky. When I had time to handload, not a problem. Shooting factory ammo out of them was a rather frustrating experience.

For a variety of reasons (most of them probably irrational), I purchased a .300 WSM built by Bill Wisemann in College Station, Texas. I've been very pleased. It's accurate with factory ammo. Less finicky than my .300 WM's and essentially a ballistic twin to the .300 WM.

Certainly not vast experience with both calibres, but that's been my experience.
 
Posts: 10422 | Location: Houston, Texas | Registered: 26 December 2005Reply With Quote
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300 win mag. I have a Savage (yea I know) that with the factory barrel shooting 200 gr NAB or 208 AMAX's or 210 Berger's in the .6's everday. I replaced this barrel with a Benchmark, it is scary accurate. I shoot the 210 Bergers because they buck the wind better than the others mentioned but POI is the same with the AMAX's or the Bergers 76 gr H-1000 gets me right around 2900 FPS. No brake. When I point it at a game animal the animal falls over, right there.


Windage and elevation, Mrs. Langdon, windage and elevation...
 
Posts: 944 | Location: michigan | Registered: 16 December 2004Reply With Quote
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Why not go up to perhaps a .338 or down to a 270?


Even better sell the 300 and get one of each. Then you're ready for the smaller stuff and the larger stuff.

LWD
 
Posts: 2104 | Location: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: 16 April 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by LWD:
quote:
Why not go up to perhaps a .338 or down to a 270?


Even better sell the 300 and get one of each. Then you're ready for the smaller stuff and the larger stuff.

LWD


BLASPHEMY!!!! Sell a gun?!!??!!?? Are you mad sir?? Big Grin


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Hunt Report - South Africa 2022

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Posts: 3111 | Location: Hockley, TX | Registered: 01 October 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
BLASPHEMY!!!! Sell a gun?!!??!!?? Are you mad sir??


I've been accused of worse!

LWD
 
Posts: 2104 | Location: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: 16 April 2006Reply With Quote
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And I was really serious. .30 cals are very effective to be sure. My .30-06 is my favorite gun, and I'll part with it only under dire circumstances. But they really are 'tweeners. More than or less than needed. Can they do for a lot and then some? Sure. But they aren't ideal for much. And the size bullets feasibly used in most .30 cals are small enough to be ballistically inefficient. So Ray was right on it. You'd really be better served with a battery of two in the 6.5mm, .270, 7mm size on the bottom and the 8mm, .338, 9.3mm, .375 size on the top end.

LWD
 
Posts: 2104 | Location: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: 16 April 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by LWD:
And I was really serious. .30 cals are very effective to be sure. My .30-06 is my favorite gun, and I'll part with it only under dire circumstances. But they really are 'tweeners. More than or less than needed. Can they do for a lot and then some? Sure. But they aren't ideal for much. And the size bullets feasibly used in most .30 cals are small enough to be ballistically inefficient. So Ray was right on it. You'd really be better served with a battery of two in the 6.5mm, .270, 7mm size on the bottom and the 8mm, .338, 9.3mm, .375 size on the top end.

LWD


Haha....thanks, but no thanks.

I, personally, have a completely different opinion about 30 calibers...


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Hunt Report - South Africa 2022

Wade Abadie - Wild Shot Photography
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Posts: 3111 | Location: Hockley, TX | Registered: 01 October 2005Reply With Quote
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E-Slayer,

I'll sling some mud, too .....

300 WSM (Porkchops), 300 WM (Steak) ..... Nah, What you really want but don't recognize the fact is ..... you need a 300 Weatherby (Caviar).

I voted 300 WM!


Have fun with your choice!
tu2


Cheers,

Number 10
 
Posts: 3433 | Location: Frankfurt, Germany | Registered: 23 December 2004Reply With Quote
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here's the answer .. in either ..
7.15# before scope.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16FCSS
stainless, great trigger, knwo to be accurate, CHEAP, and will just plain work.


opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR
What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR.
476AR,
http://www.weaponsmith.com
 
Posts: 39907 | Location: Conroe, TX | Registered: 01 June 2002Reply With Quote
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