300 WM vs 300 WSM

[topclass2017]

I'm about to begin a build and am going back and forth between 300 WM and 300 WSM. I have appropriate Remington or Savage actions to use. I've read the posts on this forum which have been helpful in some ways, confusing in others. My use for the rifle is intermediate length casual target shooting (300-600 yards) with the possibility for some longer shooting.

So my questions are: if your were at the same point in your decision tree, which limb would you take? Why? In your opinion, what are the pro's and con's of each caliber? Anything to watch out for in either (tips/traps)?

thanks in advance!

 

[ShootDots]

This is a "no-brainer".. The .300WSM is: 1.) more accurate; 2.) produces LESS recoil; 3.) is in fact used in 1000 yard BenchRest and F-Open; AND 4.) cases can be formed from other cases in the WSM "family". The ONLY "con" is that you must search for .300WSM brass OR make it from .270WSM brass. Other than that, there is no "con"..

 

[DirtySteve]

Use a 30" barrel and get the most from the WSM..

 

[R.Morehouse]

Build the WSM on the long action......

Regards
Rick

 

[greisdor]

So - 1 thing to keep in mind is if u r going to use for hunting and u need it to feed the ammo. Make sure that the action is able to feed the wsm case which is fat - r than the WM. WSM will not feed on a WM action.

 

[rijndael]

Are you familiar reloading for a belted magnum?

 

[dkhunt14]

So - 1 thing to keep in mind is if u r going to use for hunting and u need it to feed the ammo. Make sure that the action is able to feed the wsm case which is fat - r than the WM. WSM will not feed on a WM action.

I believe that is a matter of changing the feed rails since the WSM is fatter. Matt

 

[topclass2017]

So - 1 thing to keep in mind is if u r going to use for hunting and u need it to feed the ammo. Make sure that the action is able to feed the wsm case which is fat - r than the WM. WSM will not feed on a WM action.

No hunting plans...just paper and steel

 

[topclass2017]

Are you familiar reloading for a belted magnum?

I haven't loaded belted magnums as of yet

 

[topclass2017]

Build the WSM on the long action......

Regards
Rick

 

[topclass2017]

Build the WSM on the long action......

Regards
Rick

Is the long action inherently more robust? More flexibility in load length? Other reasons?

 

[greisdor]

Also, if you should look at the 300 PRC Which is close to the WM and you dont need to change the feed..

 

[Mulligan]

This is a "no-brainer".. The .300WSM is: 1.) more accurate; 2.) produces LESS recoil; 3.) is in fact used in 1000 yard BenchRest and F-Open; AND 4.) cases can be formed from other cases in the WSM "family". The ONLY "con" is that you must search for .300WSM brass OR make it from .270WSM brass. Other than that, there is no "con"..

^^^^^^This^^^^^^^
CW

 

[gman47564]

no experience with the wsm but have been shooting a custom 300 wm for a couple years now.. 28 inch bull barrel with a fat bastard brake on it... its a gun you can shoot a 100 rounds with in a sitting and not be beat up or fatigued from shooting it... reloader 26 and a 215 hybrid will shoot in the 2's and 3's...my first belted magnum and hav'nt had any issues reloading for it... an abundance of components is also a plus... the 300 win mag is a solid choice in my opinion...

 

[Gb300wm]

And I like the 300wm with the big heavy bullets(230 and above) and the barrel throated correctly. The 300 wsm’s are really popular and are supremely accurate with 200-215’s from what I’ve seen.
Now, the 300 prc is worth looking at. It has the right throat and is designed for the heavies. Perfect for your long action.
And on the other hand, those 30 cal magnums will take a toll on you. Much smaller calibers like 6mm or 6.5mm anythings will be much more pleasant for you to shoot at paper.
The big 30’s are very accurate though if you can do your part and you have a barrel heavy enough to dissipate the tremendous amount of heat generated by these rounds....
some very good points made in this thread

 

[R.Morehouse]

Is the long action inherently more robust? More flexibility in load length? Other reasons?

So you can seat heavy VLD bullets long and still be able to feed them out of a repeater. I have one built on a LA Rem 700 in an MPA chassis using modified 300WM magazines that I like a lot.

Regards
Rick

 

[INTJ]

I LOVE 30 cal. I currently have hunting and target rifles in .308, 30-06, 300 WSM, and 300 Ack. I also like and have had the 300 WM and the 300 RUM. And lets not forget the 300 H&H, .308 Norma, 30 Nosler, 300 PRC, and all the rest. That said I would not build a 30 cal for the application @topclass2017 mentions.

A 6mm BR would be a top choice as well as any of it's variants (BRA, Dasher, BRX, etc.) These cartridges are extremely hard to beat in good to average conditions at 600-1000 yds and also do well at closer range. However, that is in a competition application and we really don't count on barrels lasting over 1200 rounds and maintaining BR level accuracy.

I would want my casual 300-600 yd, with occasionally going longer, target rifle to have much better barrel life. I also would want it to be fairly inexpensive to load for. Why burn up 60-80 grains of powder when 25-30 grains would get the job done?

So given the application in question, I'd build either fast twist .223 or a .308. Probably the .308. Neither the 300 WSM or the 300 WM fit this application very well.

 

[topclass2017]

I LOVE 30 cal. I currently have hunting and target rifles in .308, 30-06, 300 WSM, and 300 Ack. I also like and have had the 300 WM and the 300 RUM. And lets not forget the 300 H&H, .308 Norma, 30 Nosler, 300 PRC, and all the rest. That said I would not build a 30 cal for the application @topclass2017 mentions.

A 6mm BR would be a top choice as well as any of it's variants (BRA, Dasher, BRX, etc.) These cartridges are extremely hard to beat in good to average conditions at 600-1000 yds and also do well at closer range. However, that is in a competition application and we really don't count on barrels lasting over 1200 rounds and maintaining BR level accuracy.

I would want my casual 300-600 yd, with occasionally going longer, target rifle to have much better barrel life. I also would want it to be fairly inexpensive to load for. Why burn up 60-80 grains of powder when 25-30 grains would get the job done?

So given the application in question, I'd build either fast twist .223 or a .308. Probably the .308. Neither the 300 WSM or the 300 WM fit this application very well.

thanks, INTJ. you raise some great points. Maybe the most salient are powder consumption and barrel life.

Going to do a re-think on my build...

 

[B23]

A short action Rem 700 modified to use Wyatt's Outdoor mid length kit (allows up to a 3.235 OAL in a SA Rem 700) would make for a pretty slick 300 WSM build on a short action 700 if that's what you happen to have.

Short Action Mid Length Kit - Wyatt's Outdoor

This Mid Length PRC kit is designed to be used in a Remington short action. It will NOT work in most clones! Includes box, follower, spring, and bolt stop.

wyattsoutdoor.com

 

[dkhunt14]

thanks, INTJ. you raise some great points. Maybe the most salient are powder consumption and barrel life.

Going to do a re-think on my build...

The WSM is way easier in barrels then the 6 Dasher. I can shoot 3 seasons of 1000 yard BR and only move the bullets in the WSM .005. The Dasher moves that much or more in one season. Matt