300 WSM?

[PNW4Life]

I'm getting ready to put together a new build and am in the process of deciding on what caliber to go with. I'm settled on a mag bolt face and short action. I'm leaning hard towards a 300 WSM, but the 6.5mm SAUM/PRC are still being considered.
My build will consists of a heavily fluted 24'' Varmint/Sendero contour with a Pierce mini mag brake on the end, Manners EH1 stock, custom short action, Oberndorf canoe style bottom metal and 3b extended mag.
This rifle will be used for hunting everything up here along with killing steel/paper for fun. I've owned 6.5mm variations in the past but am very interested in the thicker 300 for leaving larger holes and killing stuff up here.
Hunting distances will be <750 yards, unless I'm chasing coyotes. Paper/steel shooting will be as far out as I can practice to.
All advice will be considered. Thanks in advance.

[PNW4Life]

Reloading yourself?

Absolutely!
I have only owned wildcats for the past several years and am excited to be able to purchase ready to load brass and just drop a bullet in, whether from GAP or any reloading shop available.

[PNW4Life]

I used to run a 7mm SS in a short 23" barrel in the past and am looking to try something new that doesn't require any sort of forming.

[theleo]

Either will work just fine, less cool factor with the 300 WSM though. Hole size doesn't matter much with modern rifles unless you're attempting to get a softball size exit wound. the Hydrostatic shock causes the most damage and both of those cartridges will supply plenty.

[rudysts]

I have been leaning toward a 6.5 SAUM for my next build. starting to stash away whatever extra cash I have for it. gonna go with a Borden Ridgeline action with a Kreiger or Brux  sendero contour barrel.

[PNW4Life]

Either will work just fine, less cool factor with the 300 WSM though. Hole size doesn't matter much with modern rifles unless you're attempting to get a softball size exit wound. the Hydrostatic shock causes the most damage and both of those cartridges will supply plenty.

My big hangup with the 6.5mm is the smaller diameter and I am looking for the larger exit wound for the blood trail it will leave behind. In the past, the 6.5mm didn't leave much of a blood trail on fall bears.
I agree the 7mm SS had some serious cool factor and killed everything I aimed it at with ease, but that was down in Texas where animals were much smaller  Couldn't be more happy to be back in the upper left corner again and be blessed with the opportunity to chase bears, cats, and elk again!

[Karl Blanchard]

I built a 300wsm last year.  Trued remington 700 action, HCA 26" carbon barrel, seekins brake, bedded in a mcmillan gamescout.  I'm shooting the 212 eldx using a stout load of h4831sc.  Trued velocity is 2,905 fps.  The 6.5's are nasty little suckers.  My next gun will be a 6.5-06ai.  My only complaint about my short action is limited seating depth with the big pills.  Wyatts box mag still doesn't give my load enough room.

[PNW4Life]

I built a 300wsm last year.  Trued remington 700 action, HCA 26" carbon barrel, seekins brake, bedded in a mcmillan gamescout.  I'm shooting the 212 eldx using a stout load of h4831sc.  Trued velocity is 2,905 fps.  The 6.5's are nasty little suckers.  My next gun will be a 6.5-06ai.  My only complaint about my short action is limited seating depth with the big pills.  Wyatts box mag still doesn't give my load enough room.

The new 3B extended mag is set up for a 3.110" COAL. I'm planning to run the 166gr Hammer Hunter if I go with a 300, otherwise the 127gr LRX from Barnes in the 6.5mm option, whichever I decide. I shouldn't bother the powder column with that overall length in those bullet weights.
I'm also planning to get the barreled action nitrided, which should improve velocity, not just durability.

[Karl Blanchard]

Nice!  Yeah I knew with the heavies I was gonna have length issues.  Stock is getting painted right now but when it's back I'm gonna mess with seating depth some more.  Good luck on whichever you choose.  Both great calibers.  I'm partial to the 30's though

[Jonathan_S]

I shoot a stock Remington action and 23" barrel, sub .5 with the 215 Berger hybrids at 2760. Seems pretty good to me with only 65 grains of powder.

I am also having a 6.5-06AI done but I really like the 300 WSM. OAL prevents me from loading more than two but it isn't an issue for me.

[PNW4Life]

Nice!  Yeah I knew with the heavies I was gonna have length issues.  Stock is getting painted right now but when it's back I'm gonna mess with seating depth some more.  Good luck on whichever you choose.  Both great calibers.  I'm partial to the 30's though

Check out the new 3B...
http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/internal-magazine-boxes/7786-3-b-bainey-magazine-box.html

[sumpnz]

I built a 300wsm last year.  Trued remington 700 action, HCA 26" carbon barrel, seekins brake, bedded in a mcmillan gamescout. 

What does that rig weigh in at?  I'm fantasizing about building a mountain rifle.  Though thinking of .358 WSM/Sambar.  I'd go shorter on the barrel both for weight reduction and reducing snags while hiking.  Probably won't ever do it, but curious what yours weighed at the end.

[PNW4Life]

I built a 300wsm last year.  Trued remington 700 action, HCA 26" carbon barrel, seekins brake, bedded in a mcmillan gamescout. 

What does that rig weigh in at?  I'm fantasizing about building a mountain rifle.  Though thinking of .358 WSM/Sambar.  I'd go shorter on the barrel both for weight reduction and reducing snags while hiking.  Probably won't ever do it, but curious what yours weighed at the end.

A lightweight 358 WSM shortie sounds like it'd be enough to take your head off 

[sumpnz]

I built a 300wsm last year.  Trued remington 700 action, HCA 26" carbon barrel, seekins brake, bedded in a mcmillan gamescout. 

What does that rig weigh in at?  I'm fantasizing about building a mountain rifle.  Though thinking of .358 WSM/Sambar.  I'd go shorter on the barrel both for weight reduction and reducing snags while hiking.  Probably won't ever do it, but curious what yours weighed at the end.

A lightweight 358 WSM shortie sounds like it'd be enough to take your head off 

Eh.  With a brake it wouldn't be too bad.  Certainly not any worse than my un-braked 9.3x62 is already.  And when I say shorter, I mean 22", not 16.5"

[PNW4Life]

I shoot a stock Remington action and 23" barrel, sub .5 with the 215 Berger hybrids at 2760. Seems pretty good to me with only 65 grains of powder.

I am also having a 6.5-06AI done but I really like the 300 WSM. OAL prevents me from loading more than two but it isn't an issue for me.

Did you ever run the 175gr LRX in your rifle?