next question, 300 WM or WSM? (and what about 7mmwsm?)

[popcan]

Pros and cons of the 300 Win mag, vs the Win Short mag?

My understanding is that they will perform similarly, up to a point (180 gr).

Other than that, maybe you have less in the mag with WSM fatties, but you have a lighter package with the short action.

And what about the 7mm WSM? is that going the way of the dodo?

thoughts?

 

[Gatehouse]

They both do about the same thing with factory loads. Ammo for WSM is a bit more $$ last I checked.

Rifle weigth will be a few oz less.

Use whatever you like the most. I use a 300WSM because I thought they were cool, but there isn't much practical difference inthe field.

 

[bisonhd]

So far for myself, I've found it hard to get published velocities for the WSM loads. Accuracy is good in both. I am getting 2800 fps with the 200gr Nosler Partition with very tight groups so I wouldn't say the short cartridge is bad with the heavies. Still so far it is a little behind the Win mag..

The standard Win Mag seem's easier to load for, perhaps because there is so much info available. I get one more round in the mag. with the standard magnum.

 

[riden]

I would be a little nervous about the 7mm for sure if I were you, I don't think it is popular enough for factory ammo to be abundant in the years to come. 270 WSM is here to stay.

I think you are splitting hairs between the two 300's. The real question is, do you prefer long or short action? If you have a preference there, that would settle it for me and is far more important than the ballistic differences.

 

[JohnC]

I find the .300WSM a bit easier to reload ( longer neck) and the shorter lighter action is nice in the field and especiallyappreciated at the end of a long day. other than that no difference. I use it for moose/bear/deer to 300M so longer range ballistics are not a factor in this case

 

[Danny Boy]

The 300WSM is lighter (8 to as much as 10 oz lighter) and 3” shorter in the Browning product line. For Tikka T3, there is no difference between wm and WSM. While the shorter length and lighter weight are big factors to me, the advantage gained by the WSM is quickly offset by the extra cost for brass and difficulty in finding ammo.

Writers and analysts have claimed differences in performance between the 300wm and WSM. I suspect the differences are not really noticeable for the average day hunter in the field.

I have the 300wm for quite a few years now. If I were to do it all over again, I will likely pick up the 300wm (as in Tikka) instead of the WSM. Also keep in mind that a lighter rifle means more felt recoil.

The 300wm will certainly be around in 20 years but I am not sure if the WSM will survive.

 

[Eagleye]

I have recently had a chance to assist a close acquaintance to develop loads for his 300 WSM. With 180 grain Accubonds we came up against the pressure indications at close to 3030 fps with at least 3 powders, so have to assume that is close to the limit with his rifle (24" barrel) My own 308 Norma mag and my 30-338, as well as a 300 Win Mag of another friend all will make an easy 100-125 fps extra in 24" barrels. Now I appreciate that this is not enough to make a practical difference in the field, but it illustrates the extra that is available in the longer packages. When you go to 200 grain bullets, the difference becomes more pronounced, as would be expected. I personally like the 200 grain pills in the big 30's, so the WSM does not appeal to me as much. I believe the 270 and 300 WSM's will be around for awhile, the 7mm is probably on life support as we speak. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[chappy]

i find the 300 short to be about 100 ft behind the wm when i load. i think the short maybe a little more accurate but doesn't really mean a lot in the end. either one is good but i like the stubbies more.

 

[martinbns]

The WSM is about 100 fps behind the 300 Winny. I had a browning 300 wsm and personally found a 300 magnum rifle that weighed less than 8 lbs scoped was a bit rude to shoot. I sold it and bought a Sako AV 300wm that goes 8.6 lbs scoped and it's much more confortable to shoot.

 

[Calum]

As others have said, how the rifle fits you is pretty important.
I'm happy with my semi auto R1 Benelli in 300 win mag.

 

[RUM]

300WM vs 300WSM, biggest difference being short action vs long action, no real benefit from one to the next. As for the ammunition, there is plenty available, and I don't think this caliber will be going anywhere for a long while to come.

7mmWSM gone way of the dodo bird, possibly. No real reason why that I can see, of the 270/7mm/300WSM family, the 270 is the only one with a markable advantage over it's long action brother. My guess (for what that's worth) is that the 7mm fans are not catching onto the short action as there is really no notable benefit to the WSM cartridge. The 300WSM seems to have caught on, regardless of the same issue, due to north americans love for the .30cals, but no real reason other than it's "new" in my opinion. If you're a reloader, you will forever have a great selection of 7mm bullets and WSM brass will not be an issue.

I have owned a 270WSM (sold), 7mmWSM (2), and a 325WSM, why.......well why not!?!? Like them all and the only reason I sold the 270WSM was because the 7mmWSM does almost the exact same thing as it with the same 140gn bullet, but the option of more there aswell.

 

[sbtennex]

Like riden said, I'd be thinking twice about the 7mm WSM - a 7mm Rem Mag can and does anything the SM can do. .300 Win Mag is pretty tough to beat and I've seen what the WSM does in a good shooter's hands - it's accurate and powerful - but the short throw doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the field. If you think you need a .30 caliber, the Win Mag is awesome and flexible with bullet weights. My personal fave is still the 7mm Rem Mag - one of the greatest calibers that ever came down the pipe. Basically magnified the .270 Win, the best innovation ever IMO.

 

[blargon]

One's long and one's not.

If you don't reload, get the long one.

 

[Jack Robinson]

300 Wby!

 

[BC Bigbore]

I had to mull over this one for a bit as either of the Winchester .300's are versatile, powerful cartridges. My pick would be the .300WSM in a M70 Featherweight if I was looking for an all around .30 cal. in an easy carrying and extremely visually appealing factory package. Now if I was seeking a serious long range .300 Magnum, my vote would be for a longer barreled, accurate build chambered in either .300RUM or 7.82 Lazzeroni Warbird over either of Winchester's offerings.