.300 wsm

[EchoM70]

What is everyone's opinion on this nice little cartridge? I just got a Tikka T3 Lite in .300 WSM in a trade and was wondering the pros and cons of the short magnum. I did a little research and opinions varied greatly, So I decided to see what everybody here had to say.

-Echo

 

[Arkansas Paul]

If I were buying brand new and neither was on sale, I would just go with the .300 Win Mag, but if I got a chance to get a good deal on one or a good trade opportunity came along like it apparently did for you, I would get a WSM. It's a dandy little round that will do most anything a Win Mag will do. There's certainly not anything in the lower 48 that you couldn't hunt with it. Plus the gun will be lighter because of the short action. The Tikka T3 is a dandy rifle too. I've never heard anything bad about them.

Enjoy. Let us know how she shoots.

 

[Kernel]

I think the .300 WSM is a great idea, especially if you handload. Then you can back it off a bit for most purposes like: pinking, target practice, hunting non-carnivorous game animals under 500 lbs. Then, go all out full-power for: large game, Alaska hunts, longer range shooting, thin-skinned armored personnel carriers, etc

 

[adelbridge]

The only real concerns are ammo cost and availability and will it stand the test of time.
I think it is going to survive for a long time.

 

[Kachok]

300 short mag is a thumper of a cartrage, it is basically a 300 win mag in compact form, expect plenty of recoil and excessive knockdown power. A bit much for deer hunting in the woods but excellent for hunting larger animals at longer range. The T3 rifle is fantastic, I have a SS version in 6.5x55 and it is my favorite rifle of all time. Silky smooth action, super light weight, perfect trigger and just plain deadly accurate.
Have fun with your new toy
I would not worry much about the 300 WSM standing the test of time, the naysayers have been predicting it's demise for a decade now and it continues to grow in popularity, setting the new world record 1,000yd record is not hurting it's case either

 

[Flynt]

I shoot 300 WSM in a Weatherby Vanguard SubMOA. Great combination, and with the good recoil pad, Limbsaver I believe, that came with the gun, the recoil feels more like a .223 than a magnum. I agree that it's a little much for whitetail deer, but I use a 150 gr cartridge, which gives me a real flat shooter. For heavier animals, I can use 170 gr. It's a keeper!

 

[bergmen]

I bought a Browning A-Bolt II Medallion in .300WSM several years ago to hunt deer in open plains country where 400-500 yard shots were very possible.

The .300WSM is a flat shooting, hard hitting cartridge that is extremely accurate. I could cover a three shot group with a quarter at 100 yards with regularity. The short action and 23" barrel length result in a very compact rifle. I never considered factory ammo, always loaded my own so cost of the fancy stuff was not part of the equation.

There is a dizzying array of outstanding components (bullets, mainly) to provide a huge variety of load possibilities to satisfy any needs. I have stocked up on hundreds of pieces of brass so the rest of the ammo situation is just bullets, powder and primers.

This is one of the finest rifle/caliber combinations I have ever owned.

Dan

 

[EchoM70]

Seems like everything is pretty positive, that's some good news. I traded a Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 for it, So I didn't do too bad it seems. I reload so the expensive factory ammo isn't really a con. I plan on using 150gr loads for whitetail, It may be a little overkill but oh well. Now I just gotta find a new scope so I can get a range report going.

 

[Alaska444]

300 WSM is here to stay. It is one of the most accurate long range calibers we have with plenty of power to go with it.

I wanted a .300 Win Mag, but my cousin wanted to get rid of a .300 WSM Browning BLR. At the price he had it, I couldn't pass up on it. My only complaint is I wish I could get 200 gr factory ammo for it, but other than that, it is a hard hitting accurate rifle. It is here to stay.

 

[bergmen]

Seems like everything is pretty positive, that's some good news. I traded a Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 for it, So I didn't do too bad it seems. I reload so the expensive factory ammo isn't really a con. I plan on using 150gr loads for whitetail, It may be a little overkill but oh well. Now I just gotta find a new scope so I can get a range report going.

If you set up your dies to the headspace of your rifle the brass will last a long time. Unlike belted cartridges, the .300WSM is easy on the brass and you can reload many times. This is good.

You can easily ease up on the 150 grain loads to equal the 30-06 or .308 Winchester. This makes this caliber very versatile.

I think you're gonna love it.

Dan

 

[surjimmy]

I have to disagree with Kachok, I have a bad neck and back from a car wreck. I had a 300wm and sold it on advice from a very good friend, because of the recoil. He told me to try the 300wsm due to less recoil. I bought a Tikka T3 in the 300wsm and never looked back. I could shoot about 6-8 rounds of the WM before hurting, with the WSM 20-25 rounds. You got IMO one of the best rifles out there in one of the best calibers.

 

[dprice3844444]

to knock down the recoil,check gentry brakes
http://www.gentrycustom.com/

 

[XM855]

I have a friend who has a .300 WSM in a rechambered Rem700 that I steal whenever I can. He put a simple generic Remington recoil pad on it and personally I think it is an absolute joy to shoot. I can shoot it all day.

Once he hit a deer broadside and it pulled all the innards out the exit wound! It has the capability to tear a deer's head clean off. He came close, off by a thread. Literally. The head was attached by just the skin on one side.

I'm not current on how much factory ammo costs, but it does take a LOT of powder when we're loading rounds for it, but not significantly more than any other magnum cartridge.

 

[Jdillon]

I have a 700 CDL SF in 300 WSM with a Swaro Z#3 mounted on it. It is a fine cartridge and very accurate. The recoil is similar to an '06 and not an issue. I load 155 gr. Berger VLD's behind IMR 4350 and have shot 3 shot groups under .5" at 100m.

 

[jmr40]

In a nutshell you get 300 win mag performanc in a 308 size package with hot 30-06 recoil. if you handload 308 performance and recoil is easily achieved if the power is not needed. One of the most versatile and accurate chamberings out there

 

[Kachok]

I have to disagree with Kachok, I have a bad neck and back from a car wreck. I had a 300wm and sold it on advice from a very good friend, because of the recoil. He told me to try the 300wsm due to less recoil. I bought a Tikka T3 in the 300wsm and never looked back. I could shoot about 6-8 rounds of the WM before hurting, with the WSM 20-25 rounds. You got IMO one of the best rifles out there in one of the best calibers.

Often felt recoil has almost as much to do with the fit of the stock as the caliber in question. The math says they are very very close, they will push nearly identical speeds with the same bullet, but the WSM will burn a grain or two less powder which makes for it's very slight advantage in the recoil department. I have owned several 7mm rem mags, and the Rem 700 recoil felt much less then my Model 70 shooting the same loads, just goes to show how much difference the stock can make.

 

[hoghunting]

but the WSM will burn a grain or two less powder which makes for it's very slight advantage in the recoil department

The 300 WSM uses about 10% - 15% less powder than the 300 WM. Been using and reloading the 300 WSM for the last 8 years, and it's my go-to caliber for large game.

 

[Kachok]

You are getting identical speeds with 7-12gr less powder, I have had some impressive performance out of my WSM loads but NEVER that dramatic what powder are you using?!?! To push identical speeds I have always had to be within about 3gr max of their belted magnum counterparts.

 

[dubbleA]

The 300 WSM is a nice cartridge. With the advent of the newer powders it can shine. Cant say that about the Tikka T3 Lite. The 270 WSM I had was the worse shooting rifle I have ever owned and I own a few, luckily the dealer took it back.

 

[jmr40]

You are getting identical speeds with 7-12gr less powder, I have had some impressive performance out of my WSM loads but NEVER that dramatic what powder are you using?!?! To push identical speeds I have always had to be within about 3gr max of their belted magnum counterparts.

If you are using the same powder in both cases 3-4 gr difference will produce comparable velocity. For example 64 gr of H4350 is listed as max for 180's in the WSM @2950 fps. 67 gr of the same powder in a 300 WM shows 2916 according to hodgdons website. So 3 gr less powder will give you about 35 more fps with the WSM.

But if you choose the FASTEST powder for each chambering there can be bigger differences. I've used some Alliant and their website shows 66 gr of RL 17 will produce 3082 fps with 180's in the WSM. The only 300 WM loads I can find will need 75-81 gr of various powders to get that kind of velocity.

Be aware, I found my rifle was showing pressure signs and was getting 3100 fps before I reached the max load of RL-17 and accuracy was not as good as H4350. I plan to experiment some more with RL-17, I like the speeds I was getting, but for now I'm shooting the slower, but more accurate H4350.

 

[Kachok]

If you are using the same powder in both cases 3-4 gr difference will produce comparable velocity. For example 64 gr of H4350 is listed as max for 180's in the WSM @2950 fps. 67 gr of the same powder in a 300 WM shows 2916 according to hodgdons website. So 3 gr less powder will give you about 35 more fps with the WSM.

But if you choose the FASTEST powder for each chambering there can be bigger differences. I've used some Alliant and their website shows 66 gr of RL 17 will produce 3082 fps with 180's in the WSM. The only 300 WM loads I can find will need 75-81 gr of various powders to get that kind of velocity.

Be aware, I found my rifle was showing pressure signs and was getting 3100 fps before I reached the max load of RL-17 and accuracy was not as good as H4350. I plan to experiment some more with RL-17, I like the speeds I was getting, but for now I'm shooting the slower, but more accurate H4350.

You can push a 180gr out of a 300Win mag at 3002fps with 60grains of IMR4064 in a 24" tube, straight from Nosler #6. To compare apples to apples IMR 4350 for each 180gr for each. 68gr pushes the old win mag to 3060fps and 65gr pushes the WSM to 3024fps, not an earth shattering difference in efficiency, but noticeable none the less. I have never noticed a 7-12gr difference either with the same powder or peak powders, but 2-4gr I would totally agree with.
Do the same experiment with RL22 (my fav powder) and we get the 300 win at 3023fps with 73.5gr and the WSM pushing 3057fps with only 69gr of powder.
Max speeds tend to be a tad higher for the old win mag, but only by about 80fps, anything within 100fps is the same category in my book. You will likely never notice the difference in external or terminal performance between the two.

 

[jmr40]

Guess it depends on the load manuals you have access to. I have nothing showing 4064 in a WSM, and 62.5 gr is listed as max in a 300 WM with only 2995 fps according to my sources. A good argument for having a chronograph. People are just guessing without one. My experience with RL17 proved this. I was well over max pressure while still 2 gr below max. Without a chronograph I would not have known.

My manuals show IMR4350 with a max 300 WSM load of 65 gr @2991 fps
With the 300 WM they show 71 gr as max @ 2974.

I've not tried any of these. Based on my research and personal shooting I've found the H4350 to provide the best accuracy, RL-17 gives the most speed in a 300 WSM. H4350 was reportedly the powder used in a 300 WSM to set the new 1000 yard benchrest record.

It is also possible to pick and choose loads to make it look almost any way you want with no regard to accuarcy. I've tried to not do that. FWIW I finally settled on a load of 66gr of H4350 with 165's at 3050 ps. That is .5 gr over max, but shows no pressure signs in my gun and velocity is where it should be. Accuracy is where I want it.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

A friend told me to try his rifle last year for hunting and it was a 300wsm. It was a very nice shooting cartridge and I was impressed with what it did on the mulie buck I used it on.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I traded a Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 for it

I would do that every day of the week. You did well.

I plan on using 150gr loads for whitetail, It may be a little overkill but oh well.

No such thing. However, if you're wanting to load down a little, H4895 is your friend. See this link for some published reduced loads that are plenty powerful enough for whitetails.

http://hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895 Reduced Rifle Loads.pdf

 

[303tom]

What is everyone's opinion on this nice little cartridge? I just got a Tikka T3 Lite in .300 WSM in a trade and was wondering the pros and cons of the short magnum. I did a little research and opinions varied greatly, So I decided to see what everybody here had to say.

-Echo

All I can say is, I can buy 3 times as many .308`s for the same money.................