.300 WSM, Opinions / Tips wanted

[alinwa]

Ben the node to run in my opinion is 2800-2850 or so in 28-30" barrels. There is another node higher that you can reach with 23 but you will likely run into problems with primer pockets loosening up. Every time I have ran that high node I end up backing down.

Boy, Alex nails this one......

I run two of my 300WSM's in that taller node mentioned BUT:
-#1, I live in WA where "if you don't like the weather, just wait a month"
-#2, I seriously do weigh each and every charge TO THE KERNEL OF POWDER
-#3, I'm an accomplished prepper of thee brass. My cases are very nearly identical.
-#4, I'm an accomplished reloader of thee brass. My loads are tailored, temperature specific.
-#5, I monitor everything. If the weather warms up my ammo will be in the cooler at 60degrees......

Still...... some days I wonder. Especially those days where 2-3 out of 50 cases develop loose(r) pockets.

I've got a small match in the morning.... I'll be again trying this hot node...... it just MIGHT be the turning point.

unless I get a morning draw and win lettered wood pulp

LOL

 

[bholcomb]

Ben, for what it’s worth, I’ve been shooting my 300 wsm for several months now with the 215’s. I tried running mine on the higher end and once the barrel heated up (h4350) it would start throwing fliers. I backed it down to 2810fps and it has done much better. However, as mentioned before, I would definitely look at increasing neck tension. I’m in the process of testing that now because I still can’t get mine to shoot consistently for an entire match. Very aggravating. I wish this thing was as easy to tune as my dasher. I will say though that it cuts through the wind exceptionally well.

 

[ShootDots]

Ben, for what it’s worth, I’ve been shooting my 300 wsm for several months now with the 215’s. I tried running mine on the higher end and once the barrel heated up (h4350) it would start throwing fliers. I backed it down to 2810fps and it has done much better. However, as mentioned before, I would definitely look at increasing neck tension. I’m in the process of testing that now because I still can’t get mine to shoot consistently for an entire match. Very aggravating. I wish this thing was as easy to tune as my dasher. I will say though that it cuts through the wind exceptionally well.

Thank You Barry! I certainly appreciate your input! These are things I am looking for..

 

[ben_g]

I have also thought about doing a 300WSM for 1000yrd F-class shoots.

For me the only I bullet I would consider is the 230gr Hybrid, and my reading is that 2800-2850fps is the node with this bullet.

Thing is when you run the numbers a 230gr hybrid at 2820fps gives drift of 52.6” at 1000yards

In comparison a 180gr 7mm hybrid at 2950fps (easily and accurately achievable in a 7mm SAUM) will drift 55.4”

With different powders a SAUM can achieve velocity’s over 3000fps

The bonus of the 30cal over 7mm would be better barrel life, apparently it’s an easy cartridge to keep in tune, perhaps in very rough headwinds the heavy 230gr pill might exhibit less vertical as well.

Also 300wsm brass is much easier to source here in Oz than SAUM brass.

So as much as I would like to deviate away from the norm I think my next 1000yard barrel will probably be a 7mm SAUM.

 

[Cody Richardson]

I have also thought about doing a 300WSM for 1000yrd F-class shoots.

For me the only I bullet I would consider is the 230gr Hybrid, and my reading is that 2800-2850fps is the node with this bullet.

Thing is when you run the numbers a 230gr hybrid at 2820fps gives drift of 52.6” at 1000yards

In comparison a 180gr 7mm hybrid at 2950fps (easily and accurately achievable in a 7mm SAUM) will drift 55.4”

With different powders a SAUM can achieve velocity’s over 3000fps

The bonus of the 30cal over 7mm would be better barrel life, apparently it’s an easy cartridge to keep in tune, perhaps in very rough headwinds the heavy 230gr pill might exhibit less vertical as well.

Also 300wsm brass is much easier to source here in Oz than SAUM brass.

So as much as I would like to deviate away from the norm I think my next 1000yard barrel will probably be a 7mm SAUM.

I run my 230’s at 2860, I’m on 8 firings on one set of brass and still stiff primer pockets. Last barrel went 2100 before I pulled it. This was on a fclass firing schedule.

 

[Mulligan]

I run my 230’s at 2860, I’m on 8 firings on one set of brass and still stiff primer pockets. Last barrel went 2100 before I pulled it. This was on a fclass firing schedule.

Cody,
What brand of brass do you prefer and why?
Thanks
CW

 

[ShootDots]

I run my 230’s at 2860, I’m on 8 firings on one set of brass and still stiff primer pockets. Last barrel went 2100 before I pulled it. This was on a fclass firing schedule.

Hello Cody! A large portion of my research shows that the 215 Hybrids at approx 2900 +/- a foot or two, will ruin primer pockets in relatively short order. However, you're running 2860 with 230s and your primer pockets remain good. I bought some Norma .300 WSM brass. In your experience, will that brass hold up with the 215s going about 2900? Thanks..

 

[Cody Richardson]

Cody,
What brand of brass do you prefer and why?
Thanks
CW

Norma, annealed every firing. Honestly I didn’t try any other brand. I’m not aware of any other fclass guys running anything other than Norma.

 

[Cody Richardson]

Hello Cody! A large portion of my research shows that the 215 Hybrids at approx 2900 +/- a foot or two, will ruin primer pockets in relatively short order. However, you're running 2860 with 230s and your primer pockets remain good. I bought some Norma .300 WSM brass. In your experience, will that brass hold up with the 215s going about 2900? Thanks..

My experience is vary minimum with 215’s, I tested 300 and they shot well, however the 230’s just shot better so I took the BC over speed. The 230’s shot great at 2770 and 2860.

 

[ShootDots]

My experience is vary minimum with 215’s, I tested 300 and they shot well, however the 230’s just shot better so I took the BC over speed. The 230’s shot great at 2770 and 2860.

Yeah, there is always a significant spread between the nodes. My research has shown that between say 2800 and 2840 then up to about 2910 for the higher node for the 215s.. Apparently one node will shoot better than the other. I guess I will find out.

 

[Cody Richardson]

Yeah, there is always a significant spread between the nodes. My research has shown that between say 2800 and 2840 then up to about 2910 for the higher node for the 215s.. Apparently one node will shoot better than the other. I guess I will find out.

This is my 3rd wsm barrel. I really love the cartridge, basically a dasher on steroids. It takes some time to get the gun handling down but once you have it, it’s a great round to work with.

 

[ShootDots]

This is my 3rd wsm barrel. I really love the cartridge, basically a dasher on steroids. It takes some time to get the gun handling down but once you have it, it’s a great round to work with.

That seems to be the consensus! I bought a McMillan "Kestros" stock that has a very low profile and should aide in keeping torque under control. Should "aide" >> not cure! The rest will be up to me.. There is always a learning curve with any cartridge. I never had a problem controlling my .300RUM in a 10 pound rifle. I don't like the recoil, however, I can control it. I am hoping with a 20+ pound rifle the WSM will have a "short" learning curve! LOL!! I know, I know>>>wishful thinking!!

 

[dkhunt14]

I have also thought about doing a 300WSM for 1000yrd F-class shoots.

For me the only I bullet I would consider is the 230gr Hybrid, and my reading is that 2800-2850fps is the node with this bullet.

Thing is when you run the numbers a 230gr hybrid at 2820fps gives drift of 52.6” at 1000yards

In comparison a 180gr 7mm hybrid at 2950fps (easily and accurately achievable in a 7mm SAUM) will drift 55.4”

With different powders a SAUM can achieve velocity’s over 3000fps

The bonus of the 30cal over 7mm would be better barrel life, apparently it’s an easy cartridge to keep in tune, perhaps in very rough headwinds the heavy 230gr pill might exhibit less vertical as well.

Also 300wsm brass is much easier to source here in Oz than SAUM brass.

So as much as I would like to deviate away from the norm I think my next 1000yard barrel will probably be a 7mm SAUM.

The 230 will go 3000 with the right powder and i bet the barrel lasts way longer.. Ask Steve Blair. Matt

 

[ben_g]

The 230 will go 3000 with the right powder and i bet the barrel lasts way longer.. Ask Steve Blair. Matt

Problem is here in Australia most of our ranges have restrictive muzzle energy limits.

The most generous ranges in the country where we shoot F-class would limit me to around 2860fps with a 230gr pill.
Other ranges have such restrictive limits that a 180gr bullets must be kept to 2960fps or under to comply.

This is why I was following Bens 6.5x284 project with the new Sierra 150gr bullet as the ballistic performance would excellent without approaching energy limits.

 

[ShootDots]

Problem is here in Australia most of our ranges have restrictive muzzle energy limits.

The most generous ranges in the country where we shoot F-class would limit me to around 2860fps with a 230gr pill.
Other ranges have such restrictive limits that a 180gr bullets must be kept to 2960fps or under to comply.

This is why I was following Bens 6.5x284 project with the new Sierra 150gr bullet as the ballistic performance would excellent without approaching energy limits.

I have not quite given up on the 150s. I still believe with a barrel that likes'em they will be superb! I think the 150SMKs are in the same boat as the 110s and the 183s., some barrels, albeit not too many, will shoot them well>>>but a lot won't either! All 3 bullets are dimensionally excellent>>>just won't shoot out of too many barrels! Why? That is the 64,000 dollar question!

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Yes they will torque, but F-open has very loose stock and front bag rules. May be ugly but 3" tall sides would be on my 300 wsm open rifle if I had one!

 

[ShootDots]

Yes they will torque, but F-open has very loose stock and front bag rules. May be ugly but 3" tall sides would be on my 300 wsm open rifle if I had one!

I understand what you are saying. If you take the NEO and put the forend of your rifle in the rest and loosen one side of the "ears of the rest" and squeeze it tight against the forend, with the side tightening screws loose, and tighten the ear down, you now can control how "tight" you want the rest on the forend. T-rust me, I did that with my last SAUM and it kept the torque to a minimum.. It really does work well..

 

[INTJ]

I am building another 300 WSM light gun. I came back to LR BR this year after an 11 yr gap. I shot a Dasher all this year and while I did reasonable well, the Dasher never did match the group sizes shot with my 300 WSM.

That rifle weighed 15.2 lbs and shot 220 SMKs at 2740 fps. One year I shot four screamer groups (4” or less at 1000) with that rifle, set two club agg records (3 group aggs of 4.91 and 4.71, and shot a pair of 50-3xs which tied the record in 2006.

The load was Rem brass, Fed 210 Match primers, H4831SC, and the 220 SMKs jammed .010” into the lands. Neck tension was .003”. Loads were measured on an RCBS 10-10 and bullets seated with a 7/8-14 die.

With the Dasher I sort more, seat with a psi gauge, measure powder to the kernel, I track better, and can now read the wind. I still haven’t matched the WSM.

Add that to the 15-25 mph direct crossing in White City for the 1000 yd regionals, and my decision was made to add a 300 WSM again.