WSM or just M

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I like the WSM's

Form a theoretical point of view, any way.

In theory, the shorter, fatter case should be more efficient then the “regular” magnum case. That means that you can push the same bullet to the same speed with less powder, or faster with the same powder. I believe that the WSM’s have lower recoil than their regular magnum counter parts. Although, to be fair, the WSM’s also typically are loaded with lighter bullets then the regular mags, so who knows, maybe not so apples to apples.

In theory, they should be more accurate, all else being equal, for a few reasons. The first is that a shorter action should be more rigid than a longer one. Also, the short, fat case should burn the powder more evenly.

I don’t know if any of this makes a difference in the real world, nor do I own any magnums at all at this time, although I have in the past. I do think that they are interesting, but I think that when I buy my next Mag it will be a 300 Weatherby.
 
Short Mags (WSM, RSAUM, Laz) limit your choices in factory ammo.

I think the idea behind short mag is short action, short gun, but same velocity as magnum.

I have a Parker-Hale chambered Remington 7mm Mag. It is very accurate, cheap, and reliable. I see no need to replace with short magnum. I'd rather spend the money on a different class of bolt action, like a .243 varmint, or a308 plinker.
 
If you already have a regular Mag there is not a justifiable reason for trading it in. Unless you are like me and just want one. I had a browning in 300win mag and got rid of it for a custom in 300wsm. I love my 300wsm for a number of reasons and it will live in the safe as long as I am on the planet. But I attribute that more to the rifle than the cartridge.
 
I had my heart set on geting one of "those new rounds" (the .325 WSM) before I went on a caribou hunt last year. After some reasoning, I knew that my "old" 30-06 would do just fine. The real impact on my decision was felt when I went into the only store in this tiny town before heading out and saw their ammo selection. Lets just say that I didn't see many cartridges that had the "WS" designation on them. Most/all was '06, .300 winny mag, and the .338 mag. Not that you would plan on losing ammo, but the way things in the airlines run, that is more of a possibility than ever before. Nice to know what is available in the sticks before you head out.
 
I have a .300 WSm and I like it. I am using 180 grain bullets. If you want to go with anything heavier chose the regular .300 WM, the larger case capacity will allow you to use heavier bullets. Also, .300 WM ammo may be easier to find, although I haven't had any trouble finding WSM ammo.
 
The short mags also let you use a shorter barrel without losing as much power.

I could care less because I am less steady with a short, light gun.
 
dogbonz is right , here. of course, it took a long time to convince the shooting workd that the 30.06 and smokeless, was just as good as a huge smoke pole bullet. So it may take another 50 years, to win us over with the short cart. You would think that ammo makers and rifle makers would go all out to sell us new stuff, and drop the prices of the rifles, and bullets for the short stuff, in half for about 2 or 3 years. Why you ask? Because it is allways good for them to sell a bunch of new stuff, plus all the supplies that go along with them.
In the long run, it would be all cheaper for them, rifle mfgrs could use less steel to make their rifles, and the bullet makers could use smaller primers, less brass, and less powder, and still end up with faster rounds. But will htey listen to me??
NOOoooo!!!!
 
I have done a lot of research about .300 win mags, would it be fair to say that it can push say a 180 grain bullet an extra 100yds over a 30'06? What is the main advantage a .300 win mag has over a 30'06?

After reading various books and articles, many professional hunters in Africa say that there is not really a major advantage (except in extreme yardage shots) that .300 win mag has over a 30'06.
 
phantom, by the numbers, I don't know that it's that much, if you compare both rounds at their best. The WM will hit harder in close, but it seldom seems that people are worried about that.

A .30-06 can be loaded pretty hot with a 180 grain bullet, though a WM can be pushed about 200 fps faster, still.

To be fair, compare hot hunting loads, not Garand-compatible loads or even regular factory loads. These numbers are NOT what you will see in a standard factory-load chart. Both .300 and .30-06 are usually loaded slower than what I'm going to quote.

Hornady sells hot hunting loads commercially, and similar loads are in most reloading charts, as well. To make it easy, I'll use the Hornady commercial ballistics.

The .30-06 180 Grain Hornady Light Magnum is rated 2900 FPS/3361 Ft-Lb. at the muzzle, and 1959/1533 at 500 yards.

The .300 WM 180 Grain Hornady Heavy Magnum is rated 3100/3840 at the muzzle and 2063/1701 at 500 yards. That's just about 100 fps faster than the .30-06 load. I don't think that will buy you another 100 yards with the same effectiveness.

(.300 Wby Mag is only a hair hotter than that, probably no real discernible difference from the above .300 WM load.)

For comparison, a standard factory load .30-06 180 from Hornady is rated 2700/2913 at the muzzle and 1751/1225 at 500 yards. You gain more range by going from a regular .30-06 to a hot load, than you do by going from a hot .30-06 to a hot .300 WM.

Not even considering recoil and barrel wear, these rounds get exponentially more expensive with each little increase in velocity. You decide if it's worth it to you.

http://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=shop/browse&category_id=9b21ee3d3362d53196e45f77a2b066c9
 
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