I am just playing with an idea, but how much is there between these two cartridges and do they perform well in a 24" barrel as opposed to a 26" as for most magnums?

I have a Rem Model 7 in 300 SAUM and a Savage Model 14 in 300 WSM. The savage has a 24" barrel and the rem barrel is 22" if memory serves correctly. The WSM shoots about 300 FPS faster than my SAUM. Part of that obviously is the 2 inches in length. I like them both and wouldn't cross the road for the difference in them. I think both would be fine with 24" barrels for hunting use.

The wsm has just the tiniest bit of fps and knock down power than the saum.

I have the 300 SAUM in a 26" bbl and the 300 WSM in a 24" bbl. Despite having a 2" shorter bbl the WSM will blow the doors off of the SAUM. The WSM has a good bit more capacity than the SAUM.

To be honest I'm not really impressed w/ the SAUM in velocity now, it's accurate as heck in the rifle I have but, I'd be just as good w/ a well made 30-06. I'm getting velocities w/ the SAUM very close to that of 30-06 loads.

The WSM on the other hand gives me velocities the same as the 300 Win Mag. For Example, I'm getting 2940 fps w/ a mild charge of 66.5 grains of R22 pushing 180 NBTs and I can very easily get them over 3000. My 26" 300 Win Mag will achieve those velocities but, it takes much more powder.

I think Winchester has Remington beat hands down in the Short Mag Category. The SAUMs will soon be a thing of the past IMO.

Good Luck

Reloader