In terms of a precision round how does this stack up against a .308 Win. I know there is a speed advantage but what about grouping and accuracy out to 600M. Savage seems to be offering some of the heavy barrel rifles in this caliber and I was wondering if it was worth getting
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300 Wsm
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J
JoeP's old business account
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If you can tolerate the slightly higher recoil, I would go for the 300 WSM. Precision brass is available from Norma (which we carry) and the casing follows some of the principles the 6 PPC was designed under.
I can say with some certainty that the recoil is not "slightly higher"! It's plenty higher! The combination of twenty grains more powder and 15-25 grains more bullet makes for significant recoil increase. One year I shot a 30/06 firing 200 grain bullets at around 2750fps and found recoil to be substantial enough that my scores were adversely affected from fatigue. The rifle weighed about 13 pounds. With a rifle weight up around 20 pounds or so, a WSM might be quite managable but I wouldn't bet the farm.
When all is said and done , I think the ballistic superiority of the WSM might be trumped by the greater precision possible with the 308. A cartridge which is easier on the shooter is just plain easier to shoot. This is the primary reason for the success of the 6 BR. A shooter who isn't getting beat up is a shooter who is less likely to lose points due to fatigue. Regards, Bill.
When all is said and done , I think the ballistic superiority of the WSM might be trumped by the greater precision possible with the 308. A cartridge which is easier on the shooter is just plain easier to shoot. This is the primary reason for the success of the 6 BR. A shooter who isn't getting beat up is a shooter who is less likely to lose points due to fatigue. Regards, Bill.
J
JoeP's old business account
Guest
Bill, no problems here but I then my frame is different then yours and I shoot the a few magnums in the 13-16 pound class without complaint. I guess its all up to the individual and how many rounds you fire. I suppose if your dumping 100 plus rounds per day or more down range it might be an issue.
For 600 plus yards, more energy (if your hunting) the 300 WSM wins hands down. The 300 wsm will keep a heavier higher BT bullet supersonic @ 1000.....etc. My money is on the 300 wsm, but I probably don't shoot as many rounds as you do Bill
For 600 plus yards, more energy (if your hunting) the 300 WSM wins hands down. The 300 wsm will keep a heavier higher BT bullet supersonic @ 1000.....etc. My money is on the 300 wsm, but I probably don't shoot as many rounds as you do Bill
I understand what you're saying, Joe, but when I think of a precision round I think in terms of "F" class or fullbore where you are going to be shooting up to 100 rounds prone during the course of the match. Shooting prone from a rest or a bipod is a punishing position with a heavy recoiling rifle (it's better shooting with a sling).
Shooting 1000 yd BR is a different matter and from the bench a 16.5 lb 300 WSM is quite manageable given the fewer number of shots fired and the better position for recoil absorption. Also, the shooting format really favours the round with the best wind bucking ability since, in the matches I've shot in anyway, you are in essence shooting blind. There are no spotters and you really have no idea where the last shot went relative to the rest of the group. In "F" class, you are able to make adjustments based on your previous shots and the conditions under which they were fired. If you know your rifle and it's wind bucking ability (or not) and are able to successfully read the flags, you are able to compensate accordingly and make a good shot. Within reason, the ballistic capability of the round is unimportant. The ability of the shooter to utilize fully the accuracy of the outfit trumps everything else. This is why I say the best precision rounds are those which;
(a) are capable of providing the best accuracy and
(b) punish the shooter the least making (a) possible.
Now, one thing that has to be mentioned in favour of the WSM (or anything bigger than the 308, for that matter) is that the 308 is just barely a 1000 yd cartridge due to velocity limits while larger cartridges shooting heavier bullets do it easily. Regards, Bill.
Shooting 1000 yd BR is a different matter and from the bench a 16.5 lb 300 WSM is quite manageable given the fewer number of shots fired and the better position for recoil absorption. Also, the shooting format really favours the round with the best wind bucking ability since, in the matches I've shot in anyway, you are in essence shooting blind. There are no spotters and you really have no idea where the last shot went relative to the rest of the group. In "F" class, you are able to make adjustments based on your previous shots and the conditions under which they were fired. If you know your rifle and it's wind bucking ability (or not) and are able to successfully read the flags, you are able to compensate accordingly and make a good shot. Within reason, the ballistic capability of the round is unimportant. The ability of the shooter to utilize fully the accuracy of the outfit trumps everything else. This is why I say the best precision rounds are those which;
(a) are capable of providing the best accuracy and
(b) punish the shooter the least making (a) possible.
Now, one thing that has to be mentioned in favour of the WSM (or anything bigger than the 308, for that matter) is that the 308 is just barely a 1000 yd cartridge due to velocity limits while larger cartridges shooting heavier bullets do it easily. Regards, Bill.
J
JoeP's old business account
Guest
Everyone has their own tolerance level so I'd go with that. If you can tolerate the improved recoil, why go with less horsepower.
