.300 WM or .300 WSM ?
- Thread starter biggerair
- Start date
If I had the choice, I would go for the .300 mag, its much easier to find ammo especially in the smaller retail stores that don't have much selection. The ballistics are close enough that i don't care much about the differences. I have a Tikka T3 lite in .300WSM and i love it, but i bought it used so i didn't have a choice of calibers.
I went with standard 300WM because it works fine and can be easily found on store shelves. It looks like at a certain bullet weight and below, WSM is more efficient, but they don't load WSM for the heavier bullets like they do 300WM, or not at least commonly available. I think its all splitting hairs and a number of cartridges like 308, 30-06 and up all get the job done.
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Balistically, they are ALMOST identical. The only benefit I see from the WSM is the short action. (I think it's a SA round). Even so, the action is identical with all T3's - the only difference in the bolt stop, so the SA benefit is moot in this rifle.
But for reason's above, I would get the 300WM... much more versatile factory loads, and you can find em ANYWHERE!
But for reason's above, I would get the 300WM... much more versatile factory loads, and you can find em ANYWHERE!
I did the same the 300 wm, for no other reason that brass is plentyful, and ammo is availible if something would go a miss with my reloads?
But really thats a poor example.
The caliber is great being a 30, and both cases are quite capible of pushing the bullet as fast as you need.
But hey buy what you want not what i want?
But really thats a poor example.
The caliber is great being a 30, and both cases are quite capible of pushing the bullet as fast as you need.
But hey buy what you want not what i want?
WSM ammo is being sold at Candian Tire, and anywhere you may buy ammo. Brass is just as available for the WSM as the WM. WSM ammo seems to be a biit more expensive, probably due to it being new and cool.
I have had 300WM and I currently own a 300WSM. I got tyhe WSM not because of any great performance difference between the 2, (because there isn't) I got the WSM because I thought it was interesting and cool.
I would decide on the rifle you like, and get whatever cartridge it happens to be chambered in.
I have had 300WM and I currently own a 300WSM. I got tyhe WSM not because of any great performance difference between the 2, (because there isn't) I got the WSM because I thought it was interesting and cool.
I would decide on the rifle you like, and get whatever cartridge it happens to be chambered in.
death-junky
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Moose Jaw SK
300 win mag all the way!
The WSM is much easier. You don't even need reloading blocks as the fat little buggers sit upright on your bench without the slightest bit of wobble ..........
Actually there is no difference in reloading either cartridge. The biggest mistake made with the short mags is that a lot of people fail to properly clean & lubricate inside the neck while resizing. The shoulders are so wide that it takes very little to pull the shoulder/neck junction forward when you pull out the expander ball during the resizing operation. This makes for tight or impossible chambering and results in some re-loaders attacking their dies and/or shell-holders with files and grinders to make their "re-sized" cases fit.
As a one and only rifle, I'd pick the 300WM. My feeling is the WSM's are for those that already own something else and just want something new and different. I shoot a .270WSM and love it, but I have lots more to choose from. From my experience, the WSM short fatties may not cycle as well through the action and may also limit you to one less round in the mag. If cost is your major factor, then stick with an '06.
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
I believe the 300 Winchester can be loaded up with better results using heavier bullets. With lighter pills the performance between the two is about the same. If you don't handload, then use which ever one is more accurate for you.
A big mullie or a moose isn't going to know the difference between a 180 grain shot out of either.
I've had both, I prefer the 300 win mag. Both are easy to load for, the 300 win mag will handle heavy bullets better, I get about 100 fps more from the win mag in both 165's and 180 gr bullets. I expect the difference wouls be ven bigger with 200 grainers. I for one had a 6.5 lb 300 wsm (now Boo's) and am not interested in owning one again of either calibre, my Sako AV weighs about 8.5 lbs scoped instead of under 8 lbs and \i find that makes a big difference in felt recoil.
I like the setup i have, it doesn't recoil too hard, but thats probably because i have a fairly big scope on it (4.5-14 Fullfield) + a bipod. A friend of mine has the previous generation T3 in 7mm and it definately has more recoil than mine, his scope is a 3-9 variII. So i guess what im saying is i like it.
