300?

schoff

schoff

Member
Jul 26, 2011
71
0
SE South Dakota
Hello there all, new to the fourm and I must say it looks like a good bunch of people here!

I have a question for you, I am looking at getting a new rifle for Mule Deer/Elk and have my caliber choice down to either 300 WinMag or 300 WSM.

Which one would you choose and why?

Thanks!
 
Grantbvfd

Grantbvfd

Active Member
Jun 10, 2011
223
0
Anderson, CA
300 win mag, there are many reasons but the main ones are:

Popular cartridge anywhere, you can find ammo for it anywhere that sells ammo

It's a proven cartridge, it's been around a long time and is very popular for a reason

Less recoil, all the WSM have much more recoil than their brother cartridge.

Ballistics are pretty close yet the 300 win mag is cheaper to shoot
 
Drhorsepower

Drhorsepower

Veteran member
May 19, 2011
2,225
0
Reno, Nevada, United States
Also 300 win mag isnt as fat so magazines hold more.
My uncle has a 300 wsm in rem 700 and I believe it holds 3+1

While a 300 win. Holds 4+1.

Might not make a difference in your decision but maybe.
 
M

Mwalczak

New Member
Mar 12, 2011
47
0
+1 to both of those responses. The fat case and steep shoulder on the wsm's also makes for a rougher cycle. I have a Kimber Montana with no floor plate so you have to cycle all the cartridges to empty the magazine. After a few loads/unloads the brass gets deep scratches. Other guns may not have that problem, but mine does...
 
Bitterroot Bulls

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
I think the two cartridges are more similar than different. In my experience, the 300 WSM is pretty widely available, anymore. Both are excellent handloading cartridges. I would make the choice based on the action you prefer: short or long.
 
jay

jay

Active Member
Mar 10, 2011
462
0
TriCountyNM
i agree with bitterroot. I would add loading your own ammo, I had a 300 wsm and wasn't too happy with it, but from what i've heard, with custom loaded ammo they perform alot better, i only used ammo off the shelf. Took more animals than not but lost a couple due to the bullet not hitting hard enough. Seemed like it would just pierce a small whole and slip right thru without mushrooming. After about 50 yards they would close up and were untrackable and would keep going and going and going. The ones i did harvest, had the same small hole but a better placed shot. Not proud of it, but it happens, hopefully you have better luck with it than i did.
 
Elkoholic307

Elkoholic307

Banned
Feb 25, 2011
1,217
1
Base of the Bighorns
I don't know what jay means by "not hitting hard enough" but that's certainly not the caliber's fault. Sounds like a crappy bullet.

The ballistics between the two are so close, it just comes down to what bullet you want to shoot. If you want to launch heavier bullets, 180-210+ gr., go with the winchester. If you are thinking of going lighter, 150-180 gr., the short mag will do that very well.

The 300 win. is legendary and that's what I would choose, but it should also be noted that your rifle will be lighter on a short action. Just depends on what you're looking for and your personal preference. You really can't go wrong with either one.
 
Jerry

Jerry

Active Member
Feb 21, 2011
248
0
74
Joseph Or
I can't speak about the wsm because I have never shot one, but my 300 win mag has 6 consecutive one shot kills!
 
Umpqua Hunter

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
88
61
North Umpqua, Oregon
For the past 6 years I have been shooting a 300 WSM exclusively for big game hunting. I love mine! It has a titanium Remington action, a graphite wrapped bull barrel and weighs in at only 6.5 pounds scoped. It is ported and has a very light kick, in fact my wife has taken three animals with it. It is loud though with the porting...lol.

Here's my thought on the comparison between the two:

Ballistics: Nearly identical. There is not enough difference to decide on that factor. Both are plenty of gun for virtually any big game in North America. Since both are 30 caliber there is a wide range of bullets available for game from big bears to antelope. I personally shoot 165 grain bullets for everything from antelope to elk.

Recoil: I actually believe the WSM has lower recoil. My understanding is the WSM gets equivalent ballistics with about 10% powder due to a more efficient burn of the powder in the fatter case.

Capacity: Yes, the fatter cases may very well reduce you by one cartridge. Check the actual gun you are looking at for that factor.

Availability: I like to know my load and carry plenty of ammo where ever I am hunting. Great ammo with premium bullets is available for either one, from the big online hunting stores, or load your own.

Action: Short action with the WSM, give you some weight savings. I chose to WSM for the short action.

Accuracy: My 300 WSM will shoot 0.5" to 0.6" groups (at 100 yards) all day long, even with premium factory ammo.
 
Drhorsepower

Drhorsepower

Veteran member
May 19, 2011
2,225
0
Reno, Nevada, United States
Do you find advantages in two piece bases? Curiosity. I have always been a one piece guy myself due to the fact it is one solid piece. I also dremel my action and bottom of base and epoxy them together. I guess one advantage would be more room for shell insertion and extraction.
 
schoff

schoff

Member
Jul 26, 2011
71
0
SE South Dakota
Drhorsepower said:
Do you find advantages in two piece bases? Curiosity. I have always been a one piece guy myself due to the fact it is one solid piece. I also dremel my action and bottom of base and epoxy them together. I guess one advantage would be more room for shell insertion and extraction.
Click to expand...
Mainly for the reason you stated more room for getting rounds in the gun. It does make cleaning the top of the action a little easier as well.
 
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