300 wsm or what?

[cjmac]

i could chamber it in 7.5x55

 

[Steve Blair]

Hey Steve, on the 300WSM for F Open, which bullet weight is doing better, 210,215, or 230gr? I assume the 230gr with 30-32" barrel around 2800fps?

[br]
Most .300 shooters are using 215 Hybrids. I shoot 230's but had a significant learning curve regarding recoil management on the rest. Those problems are resolved and I'm very pleased with the performance. My rifle has 34" barrels and is delivering ~2865 fps. In order to match the 1000 yard wind deflection, a 215 Hybrid must develop 3030 fps and a 7mm 180 Hybrid 3100 fps. That said; it's no magic bullet. The shooter still needs to point it at the right place. What it does buy is a little more error tolerance on wind calls.

 

[Sling]

Trying to get the 215gr Hybrid @ 3030fps from a 300WSM must be hard to do even with a 32" barrel right? Norma or Win brass? Getting a 7mm 180gr Hybrid @ 3100fps isnt difficult with the 7mm SAUM or the 7mm WSM.

 

[Steve Blair]

No, it can be done with several powders. I can get ~2950 with 230's from 34". The problem isn't getting the velocity with the other bullets, it's getting them to perform under match conditions, holding both vertical and accuracy. Then, there is the problem of gun handling. My rifle weighs 2½ oz. under 22 pounds and has a long forend. It is configured about as well as possible for tracking and I still cannot reliably shoot 230 Hybrids at 2950. It's just a bridge too far. Even at 2865, close attention must be paid to body position and consistency. [br]
It seems that we are near the limit of what can be done within the constraints we have. My Shehane is much easier to shoot well than the .300. It weighs 21 lbs. and shoots 180 Hybrids at 2940-2965, depending upon barrel. It requires almost no thought other than target and conditions. Shooting the .300 requires constant attention, detracting from available time which should be spent assessing conditions. Time will tell whether this is the correct path or another is a better choice.