Sako 85 Grey Wolf Rifle in 300 WSM or 300 Win Mag??

[MCMXI]

Amen!

 

[HKGuns]

1. The WSM under performs the WM across the spectrum of bullet weights.
2. The WSM has feed and function issues that WM does not.
3. Most WSM rifles are NOT built on a short action. They are built on a standard action just like the WM.
4. Even if the rifle is built on a short action. Does anybody here actually believe that the rifle is going to lose enough weight or gain enough bolt cycle speed to make a noticeable difference? Based on a .25", 1/4" difference in bolt length? I'd be willing to bet that the shot clock and the scale will reveal the ugly truth and that the WSM does not gain you ANY advantage.
5. My experience with WSM is that it does not feed as slick as the WM and any perceived extra speed in feed due to length is lost due to the stubby case design.

1. Baloney
2. More Baloney....Please cite examples.
3. The Baloney continues. again, the SAKO we're talking about here IS short action, which is all that matters in this discussion.
4. Yes
5. Your experience is apparently and obviously limited with the WSM.

...and you moderate here? Your bias shows vividly....I own rifles in both calibers.

There is no functional, real world difference between the WSM and the WM in either performance or platform. So get the one that you want. The end result will be the same on game.

I posted the above before I saw your more reasonable, complete 180 on the topic.

 

[squarepants33889]

Sorry if this fades away from the op's intended question.
The question is nearly impossible to definitively answer.
Considering some of the proposed variables, which of these two considerations weighs more heavily to those with the experience to answer.
Beltless case or heavy bullet option?

Most other variables are a wash when considering many rifle options, but the op was fairly specific about the Sako 85 Greywolf (or Hunter Laminated Stainless as they advertise it)
Both have 24" barrels.
Length differs by 20mm (about 80% of an inch)
Weight differs by 7 oz

I have very little experience with either caliber, but I have an unfounded dislike for belted cartridges. Is my bias leading me to miss out on the advantage of heavy for caliber bullet selection?
What other major considerations need to be noted?
It's important to note that my local hunting grounds are inhabited by creatures no larger than moose/elk.
I currently own a Sako 85 Greywolf in .270 Winchester, and I can assure you that you will enjoy this rifle, whatever caliber you choose.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Baloney

I have found that with the same length barrels the Win Mag slightly outperforms the WSM with all of the bullet weights I've tested. And AS MENTIONED not enough to make any real world difference on game. AND AS MENTIONED I'm sure multiple rifles will give varied results.

2. More Baloney....Please cite examples.

Baloney with examples.

WSM bad example 1&2.
I owned one of the first .300 WSMs to come out of the Winchester factory. It was a no feeding bolt sticking piece of junk. I sent it back to Winchester. The replacement feed better but nothing that I would call "smooth". But it also was giving me stiff bolt lifts with factory ammo of all flavors. About the best I could get out of that rifle with hand loads were 180's at about 2950 FPS. The factory loads were giving me slightly more but in either case I was getting some pressure signs the rifle liked a load that gave about 2850 FPS with a 180 gr bullet. I decided that rifle wasn't worth the trouble and sent her down the road.

WSM Bad example 3.

About a year later my brother just had to have a M-70 FWT stainless gun in .300 WSM. We had been told that the WSM problems had been fixed. That rifle was also giving extremely stiff bolt lifts with factory ammo. It occurred to me at the time that the factories were peak loading ammo to try it to get to perform to claimed stats. Once again with hand loading we found that the rifle would calm down at about 2850 FPS. Not enough gain over a .30-06 to make it worth the trouble. That rifle also went down the road.

WSM Bad example 4.

In the same time period a friend and gun shop owner decided that he had to have a Kimber in .300 WSM. Guess what? Yep it was also giving stiff bolt lifts with factory ammo. In fact he had it lock up solid on a deer hunt after shooting and wounding a buck. he lost the buck because he couldn't get the gun unlocked. After beating on the bolt with a hammer for a while he still couldn't get it unlocked. He told me that he was having a rash of customers who were reporting the same.

So you mention that I a moderator has a bias against the .300 WSM. That is not true. I have an admitted bias against all of the WSM's based on personal experience of course. If they have indeed fixed the issues with the WSM's I'd be willing to revisit and rethink that bias.

I posted the above before I saw your more reasonable, complete 180 on the topic.

Actually I have not. Let me rephrase. There is no functional, performance difference between the WM and the WSM. However due to my bad experience with the WSM platform I do not recommend them over the Win Mag.

 

[folsoh]

Thanks for all the comments

I decided to order a Sako 85 Grey Wolf Rifle in 300 Win Mag from eurooptic. I am on the back order list so in the next few weeks. I am going with the Sako optic lock rings and bases.

Now I will take my time and find an excellent piece of glass. I cant wait to hunt in Missouri and Kansas this year.

I am in the process of trying to get a trip to Idaho planned for this year as well. She wont be a safe queen at my house!!!

 

[jehu]

That rifle deserves a Nightforce,if you want dial up,or a Swarovski. Don't let the Savage/Nikon crowed talk you into anything less!

 

[CB900F]

folsoh;

When you're thinking of glass, don't forget Zeiss either. I've got several and am uniformly happy with them.

900F

 

[squarepants33889]

To add my two cents on glass, don't over do the objective.
I have a 50mm bell on my 85, and it really doesn't do the rifle justice.
The lines of the forearm narrow towards the barrel from the "perch belly" shape at the bottom.
A really wide objective protrudes from this natural curve and seems to stick out in an obtrusive way.
If I was to do it over, I think I would try a 40mm. I'm not sure it would really handicap me much.

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See how much wider the objective "sticks out" compared to the stock?

 

[dvdcrr]

I know the OP has chosen. I know opinions vary and thats part of the greatness of our nation. Last thing I know, I would not trade my Kimber 270WSM for any 300wm for any hunt.

 

[dvdcrr]

On the subject of ideal weight, the charts always said my ideal weight was 165 when I was playing college football at 181. I was hip sledding over 600lb with these legs. I always thought " Ideal for who?". Maybe the linebackers I was wading through? What did the PE teachers of the 1950's know about power lifting? My heart rate was in the 50's. and I was in the top 10% in conditioning.

 

[folsoh]

Scope choice

Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 BT Plex Riflescope 59760. This is my choice of scope. I wont over do it with a 50+ objective.

Square pants.....That is an awesome picture of your rifle!!!!!!