300wsm...opinions

the wsm is ment for a 180 grn bullet not really heavier
I have one and im shooting 180 TSX over 68 grn of IMR4350 getting 3180 fps to 3190 fps with no pressure signs
I could probably go even an extra grn and get well over 3200
also I just bought some rl 19 and that should give me more speed too
I think it has the 06 beat hands down
as for the 300 wm good luck finding one for 6lbs and a few ounces and when it comes to climbing mountains for a week straight that is important
 
I had a 300 WSM last fall and I liked it, it gave me 3100+ from a 168 gr barnes TSX, with god accuracy. My rifle was a Browning hunter FLD, and it weighed just under 8 lbs all in. Recoil was quick, but managebale. I am now shooting a Sako AV 300 Win, the same bullet a bit more powder and I get 3200 fps, not enough of a difference to matter.
 
daniellybbert said:
the wsm is ment for a 180 grn bullet not really heavier
I have one and im shooting 180 TSX over 68 grn of IMR4350 getting 3180 fps to 3190 fps with no pressure signs
I could probably go even an extra grn and get well over 3200
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One thing to remember is pressure, WSM's are working at higher pressure than any cartridge:

with 64 000 psi at max loads, please don't push too far.

If i remember correctly,

1. I think you are a whole 3 grains over the max of 65 gr for the IMR 4350.
2. I suppose you know that shooting a barnes bullet equals more bearing friction (and more pressure) than a 180gr regular bullet.

You are not affraid to seat a Barnes (bigger bullet than a regular 180) with 68gr of 4350 when the 65gr max is already a Compressed load?
 
One thing to remember is pressure, WSM's are working at higher pressure than any cartridge:
Click to expand...

That statement is totally untrue.Look at the chart at the link below and you will discover that the wsms do not operate at pressures above those of all other cartridges.Notice that the weatherby cartridges, the ultramags,the 6mm remington,the 8mmremag remington and even the 270 winchester operate at the same pressure as the wsms.

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/loadpressure.php
 
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stubblejumper said:
That statement is totally untrue.Look at the chart at the link below and you will discover that the wsms do not operate at pressures above those of all other cartridges.Notice that the weatherby cartridges, the ultramags,the 6mm remington,the 8mmremag remington and even the 270 winchester operate at the same pressure as the wsms.

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/loadpressure.php
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Sorry my bad, confusion between CUP and PSI. I can shoot my 7mmSAUM more relax now.

But i maintain the 3 grains over max and more bearing friction of barnes bullets.;)
 
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But i maintain the 3 grains over max and more bearing friction of barnes bullets.
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Actually the barnes tsx has grooves on the shank which reduces the bearing area to less than most other bullets.But it still builds more pressure than normal cup and core bullets with the same powder charge due to the bullet being harder and therefore requiring more energy for the rifling to engrave the bullet.And the velocities that are posted would keep me from firing that gun unless as Tod posted,it has a 30" barrel.
 
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Love my 300 WSM. Took some tinkering for 180 grn bullets. Found that IMR 4350 was the sweet spot. 65.5 grn for 180 Sierra SPBT and 64.5 for 180 GS. MV was about 2900 - 2950 fps, each at MOA. Loaded a 165 grn TSX with 69.5 grn RL-19 for 3030fps and clover leaf groups. 69.5 RL-19 is the MAX for Barnes X bullet so, according to TSX criteria, should be able to go to 71.5 grn for max on the TSX. Did that but groups were inconsistent. At 3030fps, I'm not complaining.

Shooting a Tikka T3 Lite ss. Beauty gun.
 
but the primers are good and the bolt lift is easy the cases arent changeing drasticly and
a sheep just died today by the same load
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Whether or not the loads kill animals,has no relationship to the chamber pressure.If you want to tell us what you have killed this year,just post it in the hunting section.:D

As to cases changing drastically,even small changes are cause for concern.Most pressure signs are not evident until pressures exceed 70,000 psi.One of the most reliable pressure signs is loose primer pockets after only a few loadings.However,until you have fired the same cases a few times with the load,even they are not evident.

In this case the biggest concern is the velocity.Just under 3200fps with a 180gr bullet would be a hot load for a 300win mag with a 26" barrel.For a 300wsm shooting a 180gr bullet out of a 24" barrel,it is well above what is to be expected.As such,it should be taken as a sign that something is not normal here.Unless of course the chronograph readings are in error.How many times and with how many chronographs were these velocities observed?
 
There are a lot of myths surrounding the WSM vs. Standard mags. None are really relevant though, the results speak for themselves. All indications are that WSM *factory ammo* is loaded right up to max, while standard magnum *factory ammo* isn't loaded as hot. But who gives a crap about factory ammo? All else equal (i.e., pressure, barrel length, etc), the case with the higher capacity wins. And that is the classic Win mag. Not by too much, but it IS bigger. That directly translates to the Win mag being somewhat more powerful than the WSM. But the difference is rather minor.

The same applies to the '06 vs. WSM as well. The WSM has more capacity, so, when all else is equal, the WSM is more powerful.

It's not complicated. Common sense. Despite what the advertising blitz might indicate, there is no magic here. The standard win mag IS the more powerful cartridge. But, on the other hand, anyone who tells you that the WSM is actually closer the '06 is also incorrect.
 
i haven't been able to exceed 3000 fps in the wsm with 180 grn bullets without pressure signs. i have tried several powder combos and several bullets. i need 66.5 grn of imr 4350 to reach 3000. i'm using a scirroco and its loaded as long as my mag will allow and a 24 inch barrel. my tikka seems to have a long throut and allows a litle extra powder without any pressure signs. some of my brass has been used five times and the primer pockets are still good. maybe if his crono is showing 3200 fps it needs a recalibration.
 
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