WSM or RCM

WhelanLad

WhelanLad

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Guys, ive asked on an Aussie forum, but we are somewhat sheltered from the real world of Rifles an calibres down here.... So I wanted to ask on the Canadee forum..


As some may remember, I own a .300WSM which ive had my ups an downs with but its doing well now, Although our ammo prices are getting Silly for SP ammo.. So reloading will almost certainly happen in the near future....
Which had me thinking, I've seen a 338 RCM and a 300 RCM advertised for reasonable dollar, M77's of course, with the short barrel.


Generally, most people in their right mind wouldn't sell a WSM for a RCM, but .......... and theres Always a but..


I'd like to discuss this option with you guys.


Browning Abolt 300WSM V Ruger M77 300RCM
Some cons to this is with the shorter barrel the velocitys will be down quite a ways Comparing the 23' Abolt barrel, also to boot the Advertised velocities of this RCM are not really close to what Handloaders are showing on their chronys... is this still correct?

Yes it is almost non existant, but imo, so what, buy a bunch of Cases, .30cal projies an some powder.... lifes good. Re-sale value, almost non existant...

Unfortunatley if I needed some ammo, couldn't just grab Corelokts for the week of hunting etc. Although that isn't really an issue
I do like the stubby rifle though.




_______________________________________________

Am I a little crazy.... proberly.


Interested in hearing your thoughts

Thanks
WL
 
Personally, I have been "underwhelmed" by the chubby mags... I prefer the weight-watcher mags...
 
Factory ammo velocities never does come close to handloaded ammo so that's a moot point. Velocities only reflect those of the day of the test out of the factory test rifle anyway.
Like you say, if you're even thinking about any new or odd cartridge, buy as much brass as you can and dies and a shell holder. U.S. marketing departments think nothing of discontinuing a cartridge or firearm with zero regard for their existing customers. That's assuming you can get it there in the first place.
 
Actually with the short fats, the factory fodder can hardly be improved upon; thy maxed this stuff to come close to the anemic factory belted stuff.
Nothing wrong with the RCMs other than they were late to the party and getting brass will become very difficult eventually. I'd far rather run a Ruger than an Abolt any day and I do reload, so if the RCM tickled me, I'd buy 300 pieces of brass and go for it.
 
sunray said:
Factory ammo velocities never does come close to handloaded ammo so that's a moot point. Velocities only reflect those of the day of the test out of the factory test rifle anyway.
Like you say, if you're even thinking about any new or odd cartridge, buy as much brass as you can and dies and a shell holder. U.S. marketing departments think nothing of discontinuing a cartridge or firearm with zero regard for their existing customers. That's assuming you can get it there in the first place.
Click to expand...
Actually my experience with 338WM factory ammo that I chronoed does almost exactly what it says on the box out of my buddies M77. Hornady and Federal. Handloads go faster because they are over pressure, but not enough to see with out high end test equipment. Higher velocity has to come from somewhere; which means higher pressure. No such thing as a free lunch. Safety factors in rifle construction are what allow handloaders to improver so much on some factory loads.
 
bearkilr said:
Wrong (again). No handloader can match RCM velocities of the Hornady Superformance ammo safely. The 300 RCM is basically a short 30-06 to a reloader, that's all you'll get.
Click to expand...

This is what I've been reading an hearing since they came out, Reloaders cannot duplicate the "advertised" velocities from Hornady in RE to the RCM... And have also been told it is a Short hotted up -06.....


hmmmmmm

wl
 
The Rifles advert:

Ruger M77 Compact Magnum in .300RCM, with Hornady dies, 53 factory rounds (local pickup), over 120 once fired cases, factory scope rings only, scope not included. Shoots well with handloads, very nice and extremely handy rifle, only selling because there are too many guns in my cupboard and not enough dollars in my hunting fund. Will consider reasonable offers and buyer to pay postage


Hes Asking $750 for all of that, keeping in mind a Ruger hawkeye will cost you $1100 in Aus.
 
Hi,

I own two Ruger Hawkeye rifles in 300 RCM, one blued with wood, one stainless and black synthetic, just because I love the no-nonsense usefulness of Ruger rifles, and the 300 RCM comes in a short acationed rifle with open sights. I have only reloaded 165gr Barnes T-TSX in my blued rifle, and will only run 150gr T-TSX in the stainless/synthetic rifle. These offer ballistics almost identical to a 24" barreled 30-06 with lighter bullets (150-165gr) and the load data of my reloads which I chronographed, using Horndy #5 Manual, was very close to what they published. It is not a 300 WSM and will never be, even if it has the same barrel length, but I wanted a 300 RCM, and am very happy with my small Rugers. I have only done 5-shot groupings, with a 2-7x scope, and get results of 1.5" - 2" at 100 yards with both the 150gr and 165gr, but I prefer the heavier bullet and will use it. My reloads were more accurate than the Hornady factory ammo.

I have owned and reloaded for 30-06 since 1980 and still own one today, but for general hunting, I would prefer to carry and move around in the bush with my 300 RCM. If however I ever needed to load the 200gr Swift A-frame, or 220gr Partition, then the obvious choice would be the 30-06. From what I have read, the 300 WSM seems to be a good compromise in power and usefulness between the 30-06 on the one hand, and the 300 Mag (Winchester or Weatherby) on the other, and may work well with a shorter 22" barrel. However, once again, if a heavier bullet (200gr TSX or A-Frame, or 220gr Partition) will be used / needed regularly, a 300 Mag (Win or Wby) with a 24" barrel makes more sense to me. Reloading your own ammo obviously makes even more sense. One possible disadvantage of the 300 WSM is reduced magazine capacity, but then only if you intend missing your target often. For hunting, 2-3 shots should be adequate.

RSA1
 
Thanks very much for your input RSA1, do you mind if I PM you an ask quite a few more questions?

Im looking at some reloading data from LoadData an it is showing I can use Varget, which tickles my fancy even more.... being able to use it in the whelen/270 and 303 brit I believe.

Im searching flat out, as in aus we need to send off permits to purchase friearms although I don't think this rifle will sell fast, I don't really wanna miss out on it..


The RCM certaintly offers more than the Federal.... would you say?


WL
 
RCM lived shortly but WSM (300 and 270) have future use.
Any store you walk into will have something for WSM but definetly cant say the same for RCM.
I have 300 WSM and 270 WSM and wouldnt change them for any cal.
Been moose,elk and deer hunt with WSM and they perform just as they should.
I am handloader myself and did get great results with 300WSM.
 
Choosing between RCM and WSM. i would choose neither. Someone already said it ...get a 300 WM. IIRC, only 270 WSM beats any of the established calibers they were supposed to replace. In that case 270 Win.

Higher costs of ammo, having to buy new dies and guns. Yes you get a new gun. If one bought a quality used rifle in a established caliber like 300 WM, the lower cost/availability of ammo, and higher performance leaves only shiny new gun as a plus for WSM.

They only approach existing caliber performance because manufactures can max the potential of the case with blended powder, not having to worry about an old gun blowing up. Those two families of cartridges exist primarily for one reason....to sell someone a caliber they dont have, hook them on expensive ammo. Corporate profit and greed pure and simple. I understand the WSM family can also be hard to tune for accuracy for handloaders.

Obviously i dont own either, dont plan on it either. Perhaps someone who has more experience with both of these families of cartridges vs standard calibers can enlighten me if i am wrong.

I dont know how the availability of guns and ammo work in Austrailia. If i owned one of the three ...say 300 mag, 300 WSM, or 300 RCM...certainly wouldnt ditch it for one of the others. Real world results on game ...there is probably no difference. Hows that go, the only way to improve a 30-06 is too clean it once in a while. The 300 WSM and 300 RCM are basically ballistic twins of the 30-06.
 
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nowarningshot said:
Choosing between RCM and WSM. i would choose neither. Someone already said it ...get a 300 WM. IIRC, only 270 WSM beats any of the established calibers they were supposed to replace. In that case 270 Win.

Higher costs of ammo, having to buy new dies and guns. Yes you get a new gun. If one bought a quality used rifle in a established caliber like 300 WM, the lower cost/availability of ammo, and higher performance leaves only shiny new gun as a plus for WSM.

They only approach existing caliber performance because manufactures can max the potential of the case with blended powder, not having to worry about an old gun blowing up. Those two families of cartridges exist primarily for one reason....to sell someone a caliber they dont have, hook them on expensive ammo. Corporate profit and greed pure and simple. I understand the WSM family can also be hard to tune for accuracy for handloaders.

Obviously i dont own either, dont plan on it either. Perhaps someone who has more experience with both of these families of cartridges vs standard calibers can enlighten me if i am wrong.

I dont know how the availability of guns and ammo work in Austrailia. If i owned one of the three ...say 300 mag, 300 WSM, or 300 RCM...certainly wouldnt ditch it for one of the others. Real world results on game ...there is probably no difference. Hows that go, the only way to improve a 30-06 is too clean it once in a while. The 300 WSM and 300 RCM are basically ballistic twins of the 30-06.
Click to expand...


My 300 WSM tosses 165's over the chrony @ 3140 and 180's @ 3000 with good old IMR 4831,no pressure signs, easy to load for and accurate.
You'd be leaning on the old 30-06 pretty damn hard to get anywhere near that.
 
Been continuing on with researching, talkin to more owners and really looking at the bigger picture....... luckily we cant just buy a gun on the day otherwise id have bought this thing, its quite a F around, paper work 10 day wait etc.... so i think il keep tottin the WSM

took her out this morning, its lovely to carry compared to my Rem700 .270 an my woodstocked ruger 35w, an its all setup i know where she hits out to 400 so as said above, Why bother eh!!


IMG_0240Casty.jpg~original

castySelfy.jpg~original



Thanks very much for all input, its not off the burner yet but certaintly on the back burner...

WL
 
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