300 WSM vs. .300 WIN MAG......

[BMW]

Well you never stated why you wanted them or their intended use.

Why is the choice only those two ? This is 2016. I can pretty much get anything I want (If my bank account allows it), any time I want. Click, click, click, and it shows up at my LGS.

 

[Gunner66]

Well you never stated why you wanted them or their intended use.

Yes, I did. Check post #1 - row 7

Why is the choice only those two ? This is 2016. I can pretty much get anything I want (If my bank account allows it), any time I want. Click, click, click, and it shows up at my LGS.

Because this is going to be a factory rifle, thus choice is limited to what's offered "out of the box".

Magnum wise....on .30" cal. those two are the best options, or you'll have to go to 7 mm. class.....
300 WSM is also offered in 26" barrel length, but it's either too light profile (0,66") or semi (0,74") but much heavier than the fluted 0,86" .300 WM.

BTW....had a chance to shoot a Buddy's .300 WM (with muzzle break on) the other day....
Loud as hell, but very very confortable....
So confortable that is making me change my mind on having one mounted on.....

BTW....do you Guys think a 1:11" twist is gonna be enough to stabilize the 210ish ?

 

[dkhunt14]

I shoot the 210 Berger VLD in an 11 in 1000 yard Br. I have shot some nice groups at times and they seam to be stabilized really good. The holes in the paper are small. The muzzle brake is loud (need hearing protection) but they make it much more pleasant on recoil. Matt

 

[XTR]

Where and what are you "long range hunting"? <-- (I really dislike that whole idea, hunting is getting close enough to take an ethical shot, being capable of taking a long range shot if it is the only shot offered is another story)

The biggest difference in the two without knowing the manufacturers is barrel length. Is the short barrel an advantage for you? That really is the difference you are asking about. Personally for a 22" barrel I'd get a 7-08 or a 308. The longer barrel will let you use the power of the cartridge. The point of a short barrel is uaually a brush/woods gun that you can carry easier in the thick stuff, but in that stuff you don't usually need the extra performance of a magnum, or want the extra recoil and loud.


So for me given the choices,I'd get the 300WM; however, I'm with the crowd here who says nothing can't be changed. I've got 308s that are also 223s.

That 22"WSM is probably going to be hellaloud, ear protection any time you shoot it loud. Think about that is a hunting scenario

 

[dkhunt14]

Why not build what you want. If it doesn't fit what you want you will not be happy. A custom gun will usually outshoot a factory rig and you can have exactly what you want. Did you look into Tikka?

The only time a lighter profile barrel really hurts you is if you need to fire more then 2 to 3 shots quickly. The heat will make the barrel wonder. In target shooting and long-range hunting a heavier gun and longer heavier barrel helps you shoot better. Matt

 

[dragman]

LISTEN TO dkhunt14! You aren't going to find many people that have more experience with 30 cals and that have fired the amount of rounds testing that he has.

 

[Raythemanroe]

LISTEN TO dkhunt14! You aren't going to find many people that have more experience with 30 cals and that have fired the amount of rounds testing that he has.

His WSM did smoke them last season

Ray

 

[dkhunt14]

Your going to get to much of a biased opinion asking in here. I've never shot a wsm, no reason to. I get 300 wm brass for 65c each primed ready to load new brass locally. I had 2 300wm just to play with. I got rid of both in favor of my 7mag. I wouldn't want a short barreled(under26") rifle in a magnum regardless. I'd look around locally and see what components you have or from where ever you order. I did like the fact I could go to Walmart and buy 20 dollar 300wm Remington core lokt Ammo to do break in that actually shot decent in my 28" rifle.

Your second line is biased. The thing about a WSM is just about as much velocity with 10 to 12 grains less powder. No belt, better barrel life, better brass, and way more accurate and easier to tune. It runs around 60 grains of 4350 which is not a lot more then a 30-06. It is efficient. You based your opinion on no experience. I shot lots of rounds out of both, plus a 300 Weatherby and a 308 Baer. I am talking thousands of rounds with most shot at 400 or 1000 yards. I know what they can do. The 300 Win Mag and a few others disappeared from the 1000 Yard firing line in BR for a reason. They just couldn't compete with the WSM. Matt

 

[asauer]

I would also recommend the 300 wsm, but with a caveat. If you're wanting to do long range hunting, and have any desire for it to be a repeater, I would only go for it on a long action. Reason 1: you can seat bullets wherever you want and have gobs of room in the mag. My Win70 which started out as a win mag feeds my WSM great. Reason #2: if you decide down the road you want to go with a win mag etc you're not screwed.

 

[XTR]

Half of the respondents to this thread don't seem to have read the actual question or follow on comments from the OP. (been guilty of that myself in the past)

What the OP has asked is whether he should get a 300WM with a 26" barrel or a 300WSM with a 22" barrel for a hunting rifle, both rifles have about the same weight.

He is looking at buying a factory rig and making no changes. So given the above info what do you choose? He hasn't asked about reloading, he doesn't seem to be going there and he's stated that there is no option to change the rifles.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Half of the respondents to this thread don't seem to have read the actual question or follow on comments from the OP. (been guilty of that myself in the past)

What the OP has asked is whether he should get a 300WM with a 26" barrel or a 300WSM with a 22" barrel for a hunting rifle, both rifles have about the same weight.

He is looking at buying a factory rig and making no changes. So given the above info what do you choose? He hasn't asked about reloading, he doesn't seem to be going there and he's stated that there is no option to change the rifles.

I say good luck then..

Ray

 

[Gunner66]

Half of the respondents to this thread don't seem to have read the actual question or follow on comments from the OP. (been guilty of that myself in the past)

What the OP has asked is whether he should get a 300WM with a 26" barrel or a 300WSM with a 22" barrel for a hunting rifle, both rifles have about the same weight.

He is looking at buying a factory rig and making no changes. So given the above info what do you choose? He hasn't asked about reloading, he doesn't seem to be going there and he's stated that there is no option to change the rifles.

Everything seems correctly reported here...., apart from the reloading factor.
I do intend to reload my own ammunition.
Actually, I am already reloading for a Friend, for both calibers listed....

I see that majority of you Guys are endorsing the WSM over the WM...and that's a fact that goes beyond personal preference, I believe...

I have contacted the Manufacturer to see whether it'd be possible to get a slight variation on the 300 WSM offering (and, if so, at what surcharge).

Yes, the rifle will be a factory hunting rig and will have some features that a custom built will not have.
It will not be modified, as it comes "Ready to Race" out of the box.
I have no doubt a Custom rifle is more likely to shoot better....but in this case it won't match the versatility I am looking for.....

I am waiting for the Manufacturer to come back to me and see the figures at this point....

G66

 

[dkhunt14]

Half of the respondents to this thread don't seem to have read the actual question or follow on comments from the OP. (been guilty of that myself in the past)

What the OP has asked is whether he should get a 300WM with a 26" barrel or a 300WSM with a 22" barrel for a hunting rifle, both rifles have about the same weight.

He is looking at buying a factory rig and making no changes. So given the above info what do you choose? He hasn't asked about reloading, he doesn't seem to be going there and he's stated that there is no option to change the rifles.

It still doesn't mean that you can't give him good info or tell him a brake would help. Even though he said no brake. Even though he said factory, why not tell him a custom could get him what he wants and probably shoot better. If I was contemplating something I would want to know all the options whether I asked or not. Matt

 

[Raythemanroe]

If someone asked your opinion that included the stipulation of shooting their own foot, why would you not suggest that shooting them self in the foot would be counterproductive to the tasks at hand? Short barreled WSM, you mean a .308 win then correct, because after the velocity loss it seems as logical.. Then compare it to a longer barreled WM, give me a brake..lol..This post was begging for suggestions

Ray

 

[Zero333]

This is not a easy choice because of the intended use of the rifle, hunting.

I personally prefer shorter barrels for hunting because the slight loss of velocity will not make much difference on terminal performance, while handling a shorter barrel is always nicer.

 

[Drop Port]

Need to pick a big caliber rifle and I have come down to the following options :

Rifle 1. 300 WSM - .74" Barrel contour - 1:11" Twist rate - 22 3/4" barrel length

Rifle 2. .300 WIN.MAG. - .86" Barrel contour FLUTED - 1:10" Twist rate - 26" barrel length

Same weight : 8 lbs. 4 Oz. Unscoped

Price will be about the same.

No Muzzle break !


Which one would you pick between these two, for long range hunting and occasional target shooting, and why ?

Given the same weight, to me the advantage of Rifle 1 is the shorter length (-2.75"), while Rifle 2 seems more capable to reach out further, especially while employing the heavy's (208 A-MAX and so...) with its bigger "boiler room" and better twist rate...

Some additional questions :

- does the 300 WSM perform well enough with THAT shorter barrel ?
- Would there be a substantial difference in barrel wear between the two ?

Looking forward to hear your thoughts.

Thanks a bunch !
G66

Given that they are factory rifles my decision would be made on which of the two platforms has a better / more consistent track record for accuracy. All being equal accuracy wise for me it would be easy the win with a 26" barrel is more suited to push the 208 class bullet than a 22.75" wsm.

I shoot and hunt long range and for me the most effective way to do it is spec out a platform to push a given weight bullet at a target velocity and have a quality smith build it.

I have used factory rifles in the past an had a very capable Sendero 300 Win that got the job done. I have also use several custom 300wsm's. A solid .5 moa or better rifle will get the job done, the other factors that come into play hunting at long range will play a much bigger part.

I don't worry about throat wear for a hunting rifle. Barrels are replaceable bad shots on game aren't. Shoot the hell out of it in practice stay within your filed limits.
Happy hunting

 

[nastynatesfish]

Your second line is biased. The thing about a WSM is just about as much velocity with 10 to 12 grains less powder. No belt, better barrel life, better brass, and way more accurate and easier to tune. It runs around 60 grains of 4350 which is not a lot more then a 30-06. It is efficient. You based your opinion on no experience. I shot lots of rounds out of both, plus a 300 Weatherby and a 308 Baer. I am talking thousands of rounds with most shot at 400 or 1000 yards. I know what they can do. The 300 Win Mag and a few others disappeared from the 1000 Yard firing line in BR for a reason. They just couldn't compete with the WSM. Matt

True. But he's not talking about a 1000 yard rifle either. Mine is biased and I'll admit. But component for component what I see the 300 is cheaper to shoot. And in the two rifles he listed I'd go with the 300.

 

[hogan]

Drop Port,
I have avoided the cast bullet loading so far. I have a friend who loads some 30-06 rounds for me to shoot in a 1920's vintage Win. 1895. You can just about hear the bullet hit the backer after you pull the trigger. He does the same for his 30-30 and now a 45-70. He owned a tire shop for 40 years and guess where the wheel weights went...

As for myself, I have all the symptoms of the affliction, from the beginning stages all the way to enjoying the cast bullets in old rifles with open sights. My latest project is a new custom .338 Lapua that just arrived. Awoke at 3am and couldn't sleep anymore due to excitement over the new rifle. Loaded up some break-in rounds and if the temps go above zero, I might sneak off to fire the first 6 rounds. We do have a wonderful hobby!

Scott

Think you might want to corner your enthusiasm and make those rounds count. Not like your barrel is gonna last even 800rds. Got another on order yet? Remember, no mild loads in big magnum cases due to detonation. Look at the Sierra #6 and use their Accuracy Load. Make your shots count and clean your barrel for break-in. Wait for some good weather and get some rounds on paper that count. But of course, I am just no fun....

 

[Larryh128]

Too many people are hung up on heavy bullets, a lighter bullet & RL-17 will make a 22" barreled 300WSM run.

 

[effendude]

Think you might want to corner your enthusiasm and make those rounds count. Not like your barrel is gonna last even 800rds. Got another on order yet? Remember, no mild loads in big magnum cases due to detonation. Look at the Sierra #6 and use their Accuracy Load. Make your shots count and clean your barrel for break-in. Wait for some good weather and get some rounds on paper that count. But of course, I am just no fun....

I had this rifle, and many others built to shoot. If I was at all concerned about costs associated with this lifestyle, I would just go shoot my bows. Barrel life is only a part of the cost of shooting any, but especially a large rifle; 99 grains of powder, bullets at nearly a buck a piece, brass over $2 a piece. I have everything from rimfires to a .458 Lott. All have their place, and they all get some use. More than adequate hunting rifle loads can usually be developed within 50 rounds, leaving at least 500 accurate rounds of life left. The above mentioned .338 Lapua produced 1/3 MOA groups at 300 yards with almost no vertical within 25 rounds of break-in and testing. I will do a little more verification at distance when the snow melts, but for now I am done with this one.

Next is a NIB .375 Ultramag I received from a friends estate. As a factory rifle, this one may take more effort to get dialed in. I am looking forward to the challenge!

Scott