300WSM vs 300 WIN MAG

[JackOfAllTrades]

Advantages of a short action.... WSM. 
If you reload -atvantage win mag.  Don't let anyone tell you that they are equal cartridges.  All of the magnums kick hard.

-Steve

[bobcat]

Advantages of a short action.... WSM. 
If you reload -atvantage win mag.  Don't let anyone tell you that they are equal cartridges.  All of the magnums kick hard.

-Steve

[Bob33]

I admit it. I'm a recoil sissy. I don't like it. It leads to flinching that I have to constantly fight.

I own and have shot extensively both the 300 Win Mag and the 300 WSM. My Win Mag is in a 7.5 pound model 70. The WSM is in a Browning X Bolt that weighs about 6.5 pounds without scope, etc.

I firmly believe my WSM recoils less than the Win Mag with equivalent loads, even in the lighter gun.

If I can shoot a 300 WSM in a light gun without problem, then most adult shooters should be able to.

Your mileage may vary.

[Bofire]

Tikkas do not come in short action. I have 300WM shot it for 30 years loveit. Have shot and seen shot 300wsm, I see no reason to trade my 300wm for one.
If you reload 300wm holds more powder. 300wm was a great 1000yard competition cartridge for many years.
personally I do not like handling the 300wsm ammo, but that is a petty beef!!
Carl

[Curly]

I had that dilemma about 15 years ago when I decided to buy a new rifle.  Short mags were the new thing then and I really struggled trying to decide between the 300 WSM and the WM.  I ended up with the Win Mag.  But I think today if I had to make that decision again I might choose the short mag.

My opinion is that the 300WM is likely better suited to shooting heavier bullets.  So, if you want to shoot long range with the high bc bullets like 230 gr Bergers.....then 300WM would be a better choice than the 300WSM. 

However if you just want a rifle to shoot at normal hunting ranges (out to say 500 or so yards) then 300WSM with 165/168 or maybe 180 gr bullets may be a better choice than the 300WM.  Some of the new powders available today (that weren't available years ago when I made my WM decision) can get more velocity out of the WSM with 165 gr bullets than can be had in the 300WM. 

The WSM is a more efficient cartridge, so what isn't to like about using less powder to achieve the same velocity as the other cartridge.  Less powder equals less recoil and less cost to reload.  Seems like a win with the WSM. 

(Maybe I should trade one of my 300WM rifles for a 300WSM)............hmmmm

[LEN]

I would guess the recoil is close to the same for both. Accelerate a given bullet for both to about the same speed recoil will be near the same. Felt recoil is a different story. I've shot both in several guns and the stocking, brake and recoil pad makes the difference. I like the 300WM and unless you shoot competition you won't see enough reloading to matter much for case life(for the best hunting loads I fire form neck size and load). For store bought ammo in any give shop the 300WM will have more choice and if bullets needed far and away it will be on the shelf.

LEN

[Bob33]

Accelerate a given bullet for both to about the same speed recoil will be near the same.

Powder charge (how many grains) is one of the factors in recoil calculations. More powder equals more recoil. A 300 WSM needs less powder to accelerate a bullet the same speed than a 300 Win Mag does.

[muzzleman]

Thanks for all the input. I am going to look for the best deal and not let the wsm or wm sway which way I buy.  I don't reload so I will be looking for what the best store bought load will be for me

[raydog]

I have never shot a 300wm. But i really like my wsm. They stubby bullet was hard to get used to.

[Rob]

If you do not reload, I would lean heavily towards the 300 WM. 

1.  The cost of ammo is generally less-especially if we ever go into another ammo shortage situation (actually, are we out of the current one yet??)
2.  you are more likely to find it on the shelf when you need it.

#2 is especially important.  The way we have ammo shortages these days, the more mainstream the cartridge, the more likely you are to find it when you need it.  Also, if you travel via air to hunt, you will need to pack ammo and guns separately.  If the ammo bag gets lost or delayed, then you will be  faced with trying to find ammo in a remote location. finding WSM ammo will be much more challenging than WM ammo.  Conversely, if your gun is delayed and you have ammo, it is far more likely that you will find a camp gun in 300 WM than WSM.

[Rob]

regarding recoil... I'm not so sure the difference is very significant.  a FAR bigger factor is the weight of the gun.  lighter the gun, heavier the recoil for a given cartridge.  WSM's shoot a short action which tends to be lighter.  ergo a WSM could potentially have more recoil than an equivalent WM round.  At a minimum it probably close to cancels it out.

My 300 WM Rem 700 Alaskan TI (~7 lbs with scope, sling and loaded) kicks a heck of a lot worse than my standard wood stocked win model 70 300 WSM (probably around 8 or 9 pounds in the same config) 

[Buzz2401]

I'll never buy another 300 win mag.  There is no noticebale difference in velocities and feel the WSM is easier and cheaper to reload.  You can squeeze maybe a 100-200fps more out of the Win mag but it comes at the cost of short case life.  I actually like the 325 WSM better then both but I don't think its gonna last.

[The100Road]

i have a browning x bolt 300 win mag hunter and love it. the butt is awesome and i think eats up a lot of the recoil. the kick doesnt bother me at all.

[muzzleman]

If you do not reload, I would lean heavily towards the 300 WM. 

1.  The cost of ammo is generally less-especially if we ever go into another ammo shortage situation (actually, are we out of the current one yet??)
2.  you are more likely to find it on the shelf when you need it.

#2 is especially important.  The way we have ammo shortages these days, the more mainstream the cartridge, the more likely you are to find it when you need it.  Also, if you travel via air to hunt, you will need to pack ammo and guns separately.  If the ammo bag gets lost or delayed, then you will be  faced with trying to find ammo in a remote location. finding WSM ammo will be much more challenging than WM ammo.  Conversely, if your gun is delayed and you have ammo, it is far more likely that you will find a camp gun in 300 WM than WSM.

  I think you make very good points rob.  As my brother lives in Texas and I plan to go hog hunting down there sometime.

[coachcw]

Just find the rifle that fits you best. The two are a toss up