The WSM vs Standard Cartridge debate

[TexasEd]

I am going to purchase a Browning BAR - However I need some opinons on if anyone has has any problems with the WSM offerings in the BAR series. Or should I just stay with the 06 or 308 for Elk, deer and Boar. Thanks for the help.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have a .308 and a 300 WSM. The 300 WSM can be loaded to 30 06 on steroids levels but just under the Win Mag levels.

The problem is that you will not commonly find 300 WSM ammo. Its available of course but nothing like the 30 06 and .308. Those are probably two of the most common hunting rounds you can find especially 30 06.

If I were going to buy one or the other I'd go for a 30 06. You can always down load to .308 levels and to be honest the cost of 300 wsm ammo versus the performance improvement is marginal. Putting 65 grains of powder in a 300 WSM case makes me wince!

 

[K-Dirt]

I have a .30/06 and a 300wsm. If I didn't reload, I'd probably just have the 30/06. You can do anything with the 30/06 but a 300wsm with a 23" barrel is a nice flat shooting rifle that's easy to carry around elk country all day. They're both excellent all around calibers- I don't think there's a wrong answer here.

 

[BENELLIMONTE]

I own both calibers and find the 300WSM is a bit flatter shooting than the 30-06 with bullets of same weight. That being said either caliber would be effective on all big game found in North America except perhaps the big "Brownies" found in Alaska.

 

[Gewehr98]

I'd weigh the availability factor of ammo.

You'll be able to find .30-06 ammo, and .308 ammo, darned near everywhere.

.300 WSM, not so much.

Also, handloaders are having some difficulty duplicating factory ballistics in the .300 WSM.

 

[Reid73]

.30-06 is my choice in an all-around bolt action. It's noteworthy that both Grancel Fitz and J.Y. Jones choose that calibre to successfully harvest all North American big game species.

.308 Winchester is an excellent calibre too, especially in semi-autos.

The WSM concept is a solution in search of a problem. See generally this article: Terry Wieland’s On Shooting: " Selling Short: Finally, the truth".

 

[robsc]

Due to cost and ammo availability I would definitely choose 30`06 in the Browning BAR rifle. Get one with the BOSS. Those things work.

 

[goldie]

to give you an example of availability,looking in the natchez shooters catalog,remington carries only 150 grain,otherwise federal & winchester have different grain rounds,150,165,180,starting at about 27.00 a box,so availability is a bit limited,you might want to stock up on it,especially with 10% increases in prices every year.for hunting i would definitly bring extra,too.

 

[Waddison]

I had (emphasis on "had") a Browning BAR Stalker in .300WSM. It is/was a great shooter and an easy gun to shoot well. However...

Note there is no real advantage to the .300 WSM over the .300 Win. Mag. in the BAR. The action length is the same for all calibers. The WSM is 4 ounces lighter than the .300 Win Mag, the .30-06 is 6 oz. lighter, and the .308 10 oz. lighter. The BAR's .300 WSM magazine holds 2 rounds, the .300 Win Mag. holds 3 rounds, the .30-06 and .308 Win. hold 4 rounds. The .300 WSM has a 23" bbl, the .300 Win Mag a 24" bbl, the .30-06 a 22" bbl, the .308 Win. a 20" bbl.
If I had it to do all over again, I would buy either the .30-06 or .308. With the .30-06 * .308 you get 4+1 capacity but the .30-06 gives up a small bit of quicker handling and adds a couple ounces of weight. Kind of a coin toss in my book. However, I already have two .308 Win. bolt actions, so I might just go with the .30-06, of which I do not have one at the moment...

OTOH, proper cleaning of the BAR's bore and chamber is a real pain. But a BAR is still a really sweet gun.

Also, handloaders are having some difficulty duplicating factory ballistics in the .300 WSM.

Yup. We can't get the same powder.

Just My Two Cents.... I hope it helps.

Waddison