F-Open: 300 WM?

[davidjoe]

Chronic 7 Saum brass unavailability has me convinced that it’s time to work a substitution into my F-Open options.

At about the same time the last Norma 7 Saum inventory remnants disappeared, I noticed that Lapua introduced 300 WM brass, and Peterson already made an L version (long) that didn’t head space off the belt.

30’s seem to be where frustrated 7mm barrel life chasers have been turning, and I’m wondering, is there is any reason not to chamber a long action cartridge?

My single shot actions were designed for the .338 LM anyway, and while I know a few years ago WSM brass supplies seemed likely to soon include tough, match grade brass makers like Lapua and Peterson, they haven’t joined the short mag party, and while ADG has, they haven’t kept up with demand.

Presently 300 WM brass by Lapua and Peterson is not only available, it’s also reasonably priced, - less than 300 WSM by a good margin.

If very heavy bullet/very slow burning powder is the expected formula and magazine length is irrelevant, any reason not to look at standard magnums?

 

[Ned Ludd]

Can you stand the beating during the course of a typical 3x20 F-Class match? Most can't. If you can, AND it doesn't affect your score, have at it.

 

[darkangel_r2]

If you have a bunch of h1000 or 7977 sitting around without a use get yourself some peterson long brass, spin up an 8-9 twist barrel, slap in some 208-230 grain bullets and go to town.

If you have RE23 or H4831 from your 7 saum I'd go with 300 wsm instead. Apparently a new 220 berger and reloader 23 is a nice combo in 300 wsm lol.

You'll probably break even in cost over the life of the barrel using less powder in wsm anyway so brass price probably shouldn't be a deciding factor unless its a massive difference.

 

[davidjoe]

True Ned, I’ve picked up several early 40-X’s over the years with very good, original, 300 WM barrels on them. In those Marksman wood stocks they probably finished out at 12-13 pounds. You have a valid point that the WM and WSM won’t handle the same way necessarily.

 

[Lifesfordeath]

What's barrel life for 300 WSM?

 

[darkangel_r2]

What's barrel life for 300 WSM?

Calculator has it around 1500. It should be 10-20% longer than 7 saum.

 

[Lifesfordeath]

Calculator has it around 1500. It should be 10-20% longer than 7 saum.

Ok how about a straight 284 lol

 

[darkangel_r2]

Ok how about a straight 284 lol

Basically identical. Possibly very slightly less for 300 wsm.

 

[davidjoe]

Apparently a new 220 berger and reloader 23 is a nice combo in 300 wsm lol.

Such a gun exists now, of course. When one of those comes along, it’s good for the economy.

 

[johnnyi]

Chronic 7 Saum brass unavailability has me convinced that it’s time to work a substitution into my F-Open options.

At about the same time the last Norma 7 Saum inventory remnants disappeared, I noticed that Lapua introduced 300 WM brass, and Peterson already made an L version (long) that didn’t head space off the belt.

30’s seem to be where frustrated 7mm barrel life chasers have been turning, and I’m wondering, is there is any reason not to chamber a long action cartridge?

My single shot actions were designed for the .338 LM anyway, and while I know a few years ago WSM brass supplies seemed likely to soon include tough, match grade brass makers like Lapua and Peterson, they haven’t joined the short mag party, and while ADG has, they haven’t kept up with demand.

Presently 300 WM brass by Lapua and Peterson is not only available, it’s also reasonably priced, - less than 300 WSM by a good margin.

If very heavy bullet/very slow burning powder is the expected formula and magazine length is irrelevant, any reason not to look at standard magnums?

Why not 300 PRC with both Lapua and ADG brass available?

 

[davidjoe]

Why not 300 PRC with both Lapua and ADG brass available?

It’s a superbly efficient case. I feel like there’s 10 PRS/ELR/ELK guys for every Fclasser though, and it’s suddenly their must have next build. I haven’t seen any brass in stock for it, always sold out. The 300 WM is granddad’s gun, but if you set aside the Sami OAL for the 300 established for magazine use, very close between the two.

I’d honestly be totally good with the WSM, except I’d be relying to a large extent on Norma, and I feel like they are too willing to just drop a cartridge. ADG brass is super, but all spoken for many months out.

The other thing about the WSM, is that now I really want to know why Lapua has avoided it and the saum. Peterson too. And why did Norma stop making 7 saum. Are the short mags considered commercially dead by the manufacturers, barely sold as loaded ammo or as new rifles, and too small a market? Are they hard to produce or difficult to get longevity from… these questions about the short mags give me a lot of pause, also.

 

[johnnyi]

I feel like there’s 10 PRS/ELR/ELK guys for every Fclasser though,

that number is most likely 10,000 to 1. maybe even 100k to 1. yes I get your point. but I currently see brass for the PRC. I believe there was someone building a PRC target rifle. Maybe it was Frank from Bartlein? Looking at the load data seems like the nodes are huge. HOwever it does take a ton of powder to run those big boys. Maybe squish the parent case down for some jazzy wildcat David Joe case

ADG 300 PRC Brass

ADG 300 PRC Brass Carefully readthis description! You will likely have to change your load for ADG brass. ADG 300 PRC brass was designed not only for consistency, but for durability. One of the ways we accomplished this was adding material to the case in specific areas to strengthen...

www.creedmoorsports.com

Creedmoor has it in stock

 

[lawman29]

Several years ago I scored for a guy who had to try a 28 Nosler. Shot good for a couple rounds and then...
I giggled every time he touched her off...was like watching a drunk try to ride one of those "mechanical bulls" at the bar

 

[jr600yd]

When I first started shooting long range (back in the any/any days) I built a 300 WM. Shot it for one season and sold it. Found 70 rds to much for me at one time.

 

[davidjoe]

I got excited about creedmoor but it’s “add to cart” for back order only. Small print says out of stock. I did that for saum brass a pretty long time back, and still waiting.

WM is not in stock everywhere that sells it, either, in fairness. But bullet central had Lapua and graf had Peterson L. I was honestly surprised Lapua picked up the 300 WM case. I can imagine that Lapua + 300 PRC is a combo that will be like waiting for Christmas, always.

 

[Dub]

go all in and shoot a 308 in F/tr

 

[Walt Krafft]

I think the 300WM has the potential. MK248 sniper ammo shoots less than moa at 300 and 600 and has to be loaded to milspec. Tuning will probably shrink groups to be competitive.

 

[Rope2horns]

Can you stand the beating during the course of a typical 3x20 F-Class match? Most can't. If you can, AND it doesn't affect your score, have at it.

Lmao, you're talking to a guy that shot a 338LM for mid range!!!

 

[butchlambert]

Remember the 40X was only made in a short action.

 

[davidjoe]

Remember the 40X was only made in a short action.

That’s true, and you basically had to remove the bolt to extract a loaded 300 WM round. Remington was so biased in how inconspicuously they impressed “win mag” into those 40-X barrels. 308 Win as well. It was like it pained them to do it.