quote:

Originally posted by naja302:
I think if you want a light weight gun, then you want a short barrel. 2 oz here, 2 oz there... = a lighter gun. It is my understanding that magnums need longer barrels to see their potential. That said my ideal lightwieght mountain rifle is something based on an 06 case (270), or better yet short action (and another 2 oz) 308 case (7mm-08)

.308 Win Steyr Scout

The gun industry and gun rags live on new products. So it is great when new products come along that catch on - that will ensure we still have manufacturers and a shooting press tomorrow. That said, I see few real advantages offered by the WSM cartridges.

On the plus side: no belts - this is a real advantage, as belts have been the cause for sloppily cut chambers for a long time. You can live with the belts (adjusting your dies correctly is a start), but there is not much to really like about them in a bottle necked case.

On the down side: reduced magazine capacity, more expensive ammo and components (brass).

Non issues: shorter actions - all of 1/2": big deal. Lower recoil: with comparable velocities of comparable bullet weights, I doubt it. If you really want lower recoil, get a .270 Win, it will do all you want in North American mountain hunting. Both the standrd, belted magnums and the new WSMs normally come with 24" barrels, so there is no difference there.

All in all, if you happen to like the WSMs, great. I'm sure they are great cartridges and will get the job done - just like a bunch of other calibers. But if you jump on the marketing bandwagon of the gun indutry, and simply have to have a WSM because it is so much better than what was already out there, you are kidding yourself. If, however, you want a WSM because it is new and exiting and it fits the bill, go for it!
- mike