325 WSM vs 300 RUM

S

Sic Kid

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Okay Cgn'ers. Here's a new one. I currently own a 325 wsm in a model 70 extreme weather that besides putting a 4.5 to 14 on I've never messed with. I handload 195 grain Hornady that this thing just loves and shoots unbelievably well in my hands the recoil is hardly there and although not extremely light, I consider it packing friendly for the short little jaunts I take it on. I've shot both big bull moose and 6 point elk with it and had no problem whatsoever dropping either with 2 shots at the most (those elk are tough buggers)

Now I purchased a Rem 700 sendero barrel in 300 rum because the price was right and worst case scenario I sell it and make a little coin on it. Now I've got most if not all of the piece necessary to begin building this rifle and make it a good whomper. But it's going to be heavy because of the barrel and probably come in at 8.5lbs without a scope.

Now I am a man that hates redundancy. To me, both these rifles serve a similar purpose. Both are big game cartridges that will drop anything in North America that I point them at. I've never owned or shot a 300 rum so obviously I lean towards my trusty go to. Anyone care to make an argument for it? Be my Devils advocate? General opinions are also welcome. And more informed ones are appreciated wholeheartedly.

Cheers guys, and keep your powder dry,
Kid
 
I have both, the 325wsm is a light mtn rifle and the 300rum in basically a sendero, well a rechambered gen 1 barrel and a laminate stock, and a early 80's action. But bascially a sendero. My rum will drive a 200gr accubond 3240fps, which is a big jump from my 325. If you want to shoot longer ranges the 300 beats the heck out of the 325. But as a sub 300 yard hunting cartridge the 325 is very hard to beat.
 
I know the RUM is quite the hot ticket for energies at the cost of barrel life (not that I would plan on shooting a thousand rounds out of it in the near future-ouch) and I've looked at a few charts on it, but i feel my 325 is more than capable out to the 500 yard range and would never classify it as a sub 300 yard er myself. How do you find the weight with your sendero? And why do you call the 325 a shorter range gun?
 
We dropped two cow elk with a .300 RUM and 168gr TSX at 600 + 500 yards respectively.My son's was going nowhere after the first hit ,he just sent another to tuck her in and mine trotting was dead before hitting the ground. .325 to .300 RUM ......the short and the long of it...Harold
 
Each of your VS choices has strengths and weaknesses.

The strength of the Rum is raw horsepower, and payload with power at range; negatives would be barrel life and recoil. Perhaps a side negative would be that most rifles are rather heavy to help tame the recoil and handle the long case. Not typically a lightweight mountain rig. The Rum would be included in the discussion for best long range caliber.

The strengths of the WSM, for you is familiarity. Certainly adequete power and payload for anything in NA. If the rifle is a true short action, a minor saving in weight, increased barrel life, and a moderately capable long range choice. The single biggest negative i would see with the 325 would be projectiles. Most are designed for 8mm Mauser, most that would be better for this caliber would not necessarily be suited for long range. A minor consideration is popularity of caliber, for components and factory ammo. Which of the WSM will survive, the demise of the WSSM family and Marlin Express>>>>makes one think that stocking up with brass might be a idea, and since the 8mm bore is somewhat of a oddball>>>>when you find a load that works, hoard some projectile.

YMMV
 
Well i've owned both and loved both but i'd say keep your 300 simply for better bullet selection that and the 300 can do everything the 325 does even at longer ranges just my 2 cents.
 
LongBomber said:
I have both, the 325wsm is a light mtn rifle and the 300rum in basically a sendero, well a rechambered gen 1 barrel and a laminate stock, and a early 80's action. But bascially a sendero. My rum will drive a 200gr accubond 3240fps, which is a big jump from my 325. If you want to shoot longer ranges the 300 beats the heck out of the 325. But as a sub 300 yard hunting cartridge the 325 is very hard to beat.
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Have to agree completely. Got almost identical velocity as you. After having both I always seem to grab the 325 when it's time to go hunting. Biggest thing I don't like about the rum is recoil. Biggest downfall of the 325 is bullet selection.
 
I'd like the .325 WSM better as an all around big game rifle than the .300 RUM. I see the RUM as a more specialized, high velocity, long range hammer. As far as bullet selection, how many different kind of bullets does one need?
 
Sic Kid said:
I know the RUM is quite the hot ticket for energies at the cost of barrel life (not that I would plan on shooting a thousand rounds out of it in the near future-ouch) and I've looked at a few charts on it, but i feel my 325 is more than capable out to the 500 yard range and would never classify it as a sub 300 yard er myself. How do you find the weight with your sendero? And why do you call the 325 a shorter range gun?
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I called the 325 a shorter range gun, as even against the 300wsm it falls behind at around 300 yards, velocity, energy and wind drift. Simply better bullets available for that purpose in 30 cal. Mine is more than accurate enough to reach out there, but other choices are better. Noticably. The way I look at longrange stuff is that it is all about wind drift. That is the one thing you can't accurately measure, so the best bet is to reduce it as much as possible. Speed and BC do that. And you can get that in a fast 30 like the rum.
As for weight I don't find it to be an issue for some hunting, it is not that great for true mtn hunting (I live in Fernie BC, centered in yhe rockies) when you are packing in for a multiple day trip. Day trips are not such a big deal.
 
.300 RUM is more capable in every dimension than the 8mm WSM. I would take a look at what you do however and if the WSM does it all, why change. Unless you're willing to invest $2-3000 in glass and a grand in ammo to practice and allow the .300 RUM to do what it does best, reach, not much point. You'll need a spotting scope in that value range, too.

Finally, a Remington is a fair step down from a Model 70 in this guy's eyes. You lose the best safety in the biz for the worst, accept a three piece soldered together bolt over a two piece splined together one, and give up controlled round feed.

As Bartledan said, gotta love a Vs thread!
 
bcsteve said:
I'd like the .325 WSM better as an all around big game rifle than the .300 RUM. I see the RUM as a more specialized, high velocity, long range hammer. As far as bullet selection, how many different kind of bullets does one need?
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Great point. My 195 grains touch 3000 fps off the muzzle, does one need another bullet? I'm only building the RUM based on pure coincidence that I happen to have an action, a stock and a barrel, so boom. Gun. And I haven't even touched the thousand dollar Mark never mind the 2-3 grand Mark as priory stated. Mind you I'm setting it in an XCR II stock which leaves a lot to be desired in terms of a barrel bed.

As for what nowarning shot said, I feel the 325 and 300 short mags are doing much better than their cousins the wssms and as far as I know better than the 7 wsm and possibly 270 as well. Comparatively will the RUMs last? There is another question unto itself.

I'm a huge fan of the model 70 safety, but remington has never bother me as much as some other manufacturers in respect of bolt construction.

I guess this all boils down to, once I build my RUM do I sell my wsm? Why fix it if it is not broken? I just see other projects and start thinking of what I can liquidate to free up money. And so this will at some point be one of my inner struggles.
 
Build your RUM and shoot it, see what you think and sell the one you like the least. If you have never shot a 300rum, there is a pretty big difference in recoil between them. Without a brake the number of guys that can actually be accurate shooting it is pretty low.

I will say one thing, the 325 puts game down pretty well, but a 200gr accubond from the rum does hit harder. Looking at the 200 AB in both rifles there is just over 350fps difference between the two. My 325 is a 22" barrel and the rum a 26", 350fps is a big difference in recoil and end effect.
 
If I was trying to be a one rifle guy, a heavy barrel wouldn't be in the running. That's not even touching the matter of cartridge. The RUM is a quite impressive longrange caliber and I like it, but it's a loud obnoxious thing to put up with if you aren't going to stretch it out. If you are going to put the time and effort into getting what it has to offer, don't plan on a long term relationship with your barrel.

Why not put the gun together and play? The one gun idea is over-rated anyway.
 
LongBomber said:
Build your RUM and shoot it, see what you think and sell the one you like the least. If you have never shot a 300rum, there is a pretty big difference in recoil between them. Without a brake the number of guys that can actually be accurate shooting it is pretty low.

I will say one thing, the 325 puts game down pretty well, but a 200gr accubond from the rum does hit harder. Looking at the 200 AB in both rifles there is just over 350fps difference between the two. My 325 is a 22" barrel and the rum a 26", 350fps is a big difference in recoil and end effect.
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Oh definitely going to have to play with it, otherwise what's the point of building it haha. The barrel is already threaded to have a break on it. Currently has a cap on but I am thinking a break will be a good idea. My ears may disagree though.
 
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