300 win. mag or wsm?

[klar]

I have always wanted a 300 win. mag for a moose/elk/high country gun. Maybe a rem.700 synthetic with that coated stainless barrel.
Now after doing some research I have heard the wsm is good too... Is the main diff. the shorter action of the wsm? What do you guys think is better.

 

[stubblejumper]

The 300wsm is usually built on a shorter action,and is usually lighter as a result.If you handload,you can safely get more velocity with the 300winmag.

 

[yidava25]

i like short actions so i say go wsm. i would imagine the ballistic differences aren't serious enough to affect your decision.

 

[D3006]

I have always wanted a 300 win. mag for a moose/elk/high country gun. Maybe a rem.700 synthetic with that coated stainless barrel.
Now after doing some research I have heard the wsm is good too... Is the main diff. the shorter action of the wsm? What do you guys think is better.

If you do your own reload go with the WSM.If you don't then go for WM,because the WM you can get ammo almost any where.

 

[wonksy]

WSM will run you about $10 more a box for ammo...not that significant if you dont shoot alot.
I like the WSM!!

 

[Shooster]

I've had a .300 WSM since the first year they were introduced. It's been a great all around big game rifle for me...I've taken everything from tiny Whitetail up to HUGE bull elk and moose. I think it is the perfect round for my hunting needs and can't ever see myself changing from it.

 

[gunrunner1977]

Performance wise they are so close to the same it doesn't really matter, go to the gunstore and pick up one of each of the same model and see what you like better. I am hesitant to buy into all the wsm calibers but I think the 300 wsm is here to stay.

 

[Cinch]

Depending which gun you are buying there may or may not be a difference in action weight/size (sako vs. tikka) or you are gonna shoot heavies and the need the extra case capacity in the WM there really isn't a significant ballistic difference between the 2.

 

[falconmst]

WSM, like the short action

 

[Suka]

As stated, there is little difference between the two performance wise. I'll be the one to say it; the wm's been around for decades, the wsm family is pretty recent.
Will they take over and replace the wm's? No. Not a chance.
Will the wsm's be around 10 yrs from now? I think the jury's still out.

Flip side of that is, do you care? Pick the one you want would be my advice as well.

 

[troutseeker]

Pick the one you like the most based on fit and looks. The calibers are very pretty much identical...

 

[sheephunter]

Performance wise they are so close to the same it doesn't really matter, go to the gunstore and pick up one of each of the same model and see what you like better. I am hesitant to buy into all the wsm calibers but I think the 300 wsm is here to stay.

Some good advice here!

 

[firemachine69]

I think the .300WSM is the ONLY wsm here to stay... I'll even gander in fourty years, it'll have taken a HUGE portion of the .308 marketshare...

 

[Highbeta]

I don't think that the jury is still out on the .300 wsm.. the verdict is in and this caliber is here to stay. I have a Sako chambered in this caliber and love it, although I don't really think I would love the regular win mag any less if I had that.

The bargain ammo (blue box federal etc) will be cheaper with the win mag, but the premium stuff is very similar in price. Given that you are looking to use this as a hunting rifle, ammo cost wouldn't be an issue.

If you want to get into reloading, then the regular win mag offers you greater flexibility to use heavier bullets and the larger case capacity will almost always give a slight performance edge, but again, not enough to care about unless you want to go 200 grains and over in bullet weight (if you do, skip straight to the weatherby anyways).

At the end of the day they are both awesome calibers and it comes down to personal preference.. the wsm does offer some real advantages in terms of the short action, lighter weight and the ability to achieve good velocity out of a shorter barrel. The design, being newer, also has the theoretical edge in accuracy and efficiency, although let's be real here.. anyone asking questions about which one is better is not in a position to be able to notice any difference (myself included).

 

[beretta boy]

I have always wanted a 300 win. mag for a moose/elk/high country gun....

Then quit beating around the bush and go for a .338 Win Mag. !

 

[BearClan]

I have owned both,

Can't go wrong with either. For handloading, I prefer the .300 WSM - newer powders being specially developed for WSM's (e.g., RL-17) means more "experimentation" (increased "fun factor").

 

[Dogleg]

I had one for awhile, got rid of it when someone needed a rifle for his boy more than I needed 5 .300s. I did notice that the powder puff factory loads kicked like a .308, and that in a Tupperware Tikka. The same rifle in .300 Win will get your attention.

 

[Huntin' Gun]

For a high country gun I would want less weight, and that means the WSM. Your velocities will be slightly lower than those of the full length magnum, but not by enough to get upset over. I have a 7mm wsm in an x-bolt, and it is the most accurate big game rifle I own. It is light and handy. The Federal Fusion factory 150 gr rounds shoot 3200 fps (avg) over my chrony. With handloaded 154 gr interbonds and Winchester Supreme 780 powder I can get 3120 fps (avg). I think I have the least popular WSM of them all, but I like it! If I wanted a .300 magnum mountain gun, I'd go for the 300wsm.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

You won't regret either.

 

[klar]

Choices choices choices! I guess like a lot of things it comes down to personal preference. the wsm is a little shorter and lighter and the win mag has some more room to hop up when reloading. I bet the elk is not going to know the difference. The .338 may scare him though. I am still leaning towards the win mag because I have already shot one. I may get into reloading in the future too.