300 caliber

[Coasthunterjay]

I need an educated opinion......so i need your guys help...

I am looking at getting a stainless browning A-bolt stalker in 300WSM with BOSS. But i have worry about the difference of the WSM versus the WM.

I also dont know anything about the BOSS system....any opinions....?

What do we think...good gun? can you guys help. i want to know more about the round, boss, and browning?

let me know guys....Thanks!

[bucklucky]

I would not get the boss, its fricken LOUD! The A-Bolt is a good gun. Cant go wrong with it, its nice that it has a clip that hooks into the floor plate (sp) . I bought a Boss for my wife in 270, we shot it a few times and got rid of it. The 300 mag or wsm doesnt kick bad enough to warrent a boss. My wife has a 300 wsm and loves it and it does not have a boss. Balistics are comparable. The wsm isnt quite as good balistic wise but its really splitting hairs.

[509er]

Had a browning BAR in 300wm with a Boss.  Never shot it until after I sold it to a friend. Was a smooth shooting gun, alot less recoil than My Ruger bolt action 300wm.  Shot great also.  I think there is not alot of difference between the 300 wsm and the 300 wm performance wise.  Just depends on you preference and if you want a long action or short action. again just my  .

[509er]

Oh yeah, the Boss was very loud!   The gun came with about 15 bright orange warning labels on it warning about the noise and muzzleblast.

[270Shooter]

You can get the BOSS without the brake. A-bolts are good guns too. WSM and WM are ballistic twins.

[jdb]

Personally I would go with a wsm. like has been said theyre near identical balisticly speaking but I perfer a short action rifle. I recently read a quote by one of the big name custom rifle builders who said out to 300 yards you wont be able to tell any diffrence between the .308 and the .300 magnums.

[Coyote Control]

Well heres my take on the two that you mention.

300 WM:
Easy to find loaded ammo.
Very little difference in velocity compared to the WSM
If reloading, casings are cheaper to buy.

300 WSM:
Shorter action - hence a little less wt. to pack around.
If reloading this round, accuracy might be a little better than the WM, but it may not.

If you have not shot a rifle with Boss, then you might want to try it first before you buy it, some guys have reported to much "recoil" and have returned them. Oh, and don't forget the NOISE that it will make.

Opinion:
I like my Rem 700 in the 300 WM. Would I buy a 300 WSM? Only if I didn't have the WM, then I would get a WSM in a Rem 700. I have never been a fan of Brownings or Winchester's, but a Savage might work if I didn't go with a Rem.

There ya go, did it help any?

[Coasthunterjay]

so you think the money would be better spent on a remington with a brake? Im not worried about the sound, i will always use hearing protection unless hunting and if im hunting i only plan on making one or two shots.

But i need the reduced kick, i had shoulder surgery and will do whatever i can do to reduce the recoil....that and i have heard good things about the boss.....

i heard the boss is great for tuning rounds....that and if i go 300WSM i will probably buy some upper priced ammo and stick with it....so i kind of like the idea of tunable........

is the Boss that load?

[huntnphool]

But i need the reduced kick, i had shoulder surgery and will do whatever i can do to reduce the recoil

Then why not go with a round that generally has less recoil? Do you really need a .300 caliber for hunting?

[Coasthunterjay]

ABSOLUTELY!

that is the round i want so thats what im getting....

[huntnphool]

that is the round i want so thats what im getting....

Down Cujo, you're the one that was concerned about the recoil, I was simply asking a question, relax

[bobcat]

Well I guess if you must have a 300 magnum and you're recoil sensitive, then the brake is a good deal. Just be sure to always wear ear protection. The 300 WSM is similar to the 30-06 ballistically. Slightly more velocity but not much. Good cartridge but so is the 30-06.

Now that I think about it, to me it really doesn't make sense to buy a 300 WSM in a rifle as light as the A-Bolt. Try to find it in a heavier rifle. That will do a lot to keep the felt recoil down, plus a good recoil pad. My main hunting rifle is an A-Bolt but in a 270 Winchester. Even with it being in 270 it was uncomfortable to shoot from the bench after 15 to 20 shots, until I added a limbsaver recoil pad.

You might also consider going with a 30-06. Compare the ballistics and you'll see the 300 WSM doesn't give you any real advantage.

[cabin308]

  on the recoil pad.  I also use the Sims Limbsaver on my tikka T3 300wsm and it gives a significant reduction in the recoil compared to the stock pad.  Like bobcat said, it got kinda painful after a dozen rounds or so from the bench without the pad, then I added the pad and it was a night and day difference for me.

[GoldTip]

From the factory the 300wm and the 300wsm are essentially ballistic twins.  However, when you go pick up your first box of "upper end" ammo for your wsm and pay $48 for it, you may get interested in handloading really quick, especially if you intend to shoot it alot.  And when you start to reload that is when the 300wm really  shines over the wsm.  Especially when shooting heavier for caliber bullets, those longer 180gr bullets(especially barnes, scirroco or accubond) take up a lot of space in a WSM case where you will shoving powder in the Win Mag case.  From what I have seen you can duplicate factory velocities when reloading the WSM, but not many have found ways to increase theose velocities when loading the 180gr pills.  But with the Win mag you can quite readily and safely increase velocities by as much as 200fps. 

Also stay away from a brake on your gun.  If you need the brake to shoot the gun, then you are too recoil sensitive and will most likely begin flinching because your already scared of the recoil before you even shoot it.  Stick with a lesser recoiling caliber or get  a slightly heavier gun then the a-bolt and add a Sims pad for sure.

[Alan K]

I shoot a BAR in the .300 WSM. . . I've never used a .300 WM so I couldn't tell you how they compare.  I do love it though!

You don't feel the kick when you shoot at something, so unless you're planning on doing a ton of target shooting with it (expensive!), then I'd pass on the BOSS.

[cascademountainhunter]

ive used .300 WM but not the WSM. i like it pretty good. especially in a remington 700.

[Coasthunterjay]

I am an experienced shooter, just never had a 300 cal. so i am getting one and also just want the muzzle brake because i want less recoil. not because i flinch. i was traned to shoot by a retired marine. Trust me i can shoot with out flinching...

and thanks for telling me about the 30-06 simularity...i think that alone deteres me from getting the WSM. Ill stick to the WM or RUM.

[HawkenBob]

I just got a new Browning BLR in 300 wsm. I also have a 30-06 Browning Bar. Not sure how there the same? The energy at 200 yrds is almost a 1000 better? Maybe you guys know something I dont but seems the WSM and WM are near identical. My 30-06 is a Belgium made. Its old and is being restored. It's not my woods gun. Thats what I bought the BLR for.

.30-06 Spfd. (180 Sp)     2700 2023 2913 E=1635

.300 WSM (180 Sp)        2970 2549 3526 E=2598

.300 Win. Mag. (180 Sp) 2960 2540 3501 E=2578

[HawkenBob]

After looking a bit more. I see with 150 grain bullets it is more equal.

[Intruder]

From a practical standpoint get which ever one blows your skirt up.  There really isn't a ton of difference.  Both will likely do anything you need for any game in N. America.  Gun to my head have to make a choice.... I really like the WSM but I tend to think the ol' WM is probably a little more versatile overall.  The WSM is supposedly very efficient and very accurate based on the case design.  But, I've heard if you want or need to shoot bigger bullets you start giving up some top end performance based on seating difficulties and just pure capacity w/ the WSM.    how big a deal that is to you.     

[Pathfinder101]

OK, so here's how I approach it...  I am hunting in BFE Idaho and I realize I can't find the box of bullets I brought (or thought I brought).  After frantically rooting through my truck/duffle/tent/foodbox etc.. I give up and drive to "town" (40 miles) to buy another box.  I walk up to the counter of the only store and ask the 16 year old clerk if he can sell me a box of bullets for my:

A.  300 Win Mag (no problem dude... your the third guy this week)

B.  300 WSM (...huh...?)

[Intruder]

OK, so here's how I approach it...  I am hunting in BFE Idaho and I realize I can't find the box of bullets I brought (or thought I brought).  After frantically rooting through my truck/duffle/tent/foodbox etc.. I give up and drive to "town" (40 miles) to buy another box.  I walk up to the counter of the only store and ask the 16 year old clerk if he can sell me a box of bullets for my:

A.  300 Win Mag (no problem dude... your the third guy this week)

B.  300 WSM (...huh...?)

That echos my favorite saying.... Can you buy a box of your ammo at the Gas Station in Hilger Mt?

[Pathfinder101]

That echos my favorite saying.... Can you buy a box of your ammo at the Gas Station in Hilger Mt?

 

...happened to me once... (hence the theory)...

[superdown]

Having owned both remington and brownings in both rounds the WSM's recoil noticeably less than their standard counterparts and if your talking 300wsm even if your in BFE Idaho where i used to live 60mi from the nearest mc donalds there was 5 shops that you could easly find this ammo at . Given the choice between Remington and Browning it would be Bowning hands down. Remington's are a very good accurate firearm but they don't compare to Browning.

[Bofire]

Jay, I had a winchester 300WM with the Boss. I have owned 2 other 300 mags with brakes, and shot many in many calibers.

The BOSS is by far the LOUDEST of all the guns with Brakes I have ever fired. The brake works no better either. that said you can buy a solid cover for the for the BOSS brake.

My custom 300WM, my brother had built for me, has a brake that works very well and it is not nearly as loud as a BOSS. The WM has about 10% more powder capacity then the WSM and budget factory ammo is available, Remington Corelokt and Federal powershock. The short action probably saves a solid ounce or two, some guy told me the short mags were faster to cycle cause they are shorter, LOL , Yarite about .0000000000000001 seconds.

Oh yeah last thing, my personal opinion, I hate the browning drop out magazines thing!!! buy a good gun, get a Tikka or Sako.
Carl

[superdown]

I agree buy a Tikka or Sako those are both very good rifles . But i bought the browning specifically for the detachable box mag .I really like being able arm and disarm my rifles quickly without the possibility of the ammo going in the dirt etc. also great for cold days and gloves. superdown

[Bofire]

Tikka and Sako are both detachable mags. and you don't have to screw around with trying to hook it onto the drop plate.
 

[mossback91]

Tikka and Sako are both detachable mags. and you don't have to screw around with trying to hook it onto the drop plate.
 

Yeah I have never liked that part of a browning.......it doesnt make sense really

[270Shooter]

Tikka and Sako are both detachable mags. and you don't have to screw around with trying to hook it onto the drop plate.
 

Yeah I have never liked that part of a browning.......it doesnt make sense really

You kinda get used to it after a while

Although it is not as fast as a regular detachable box mag.

[big iron]

I think I'll just stick with my 300 weatherby, thanks.......

[superdown]

If you accidentally bump the release on any other type of detachable box it falls out not so with the browning and if you inadvertently bump or open the regular internal mag your rounds go all over the ground. superdown

[JoshT]

The Browning design doesn't allow you to seat bullets anywhere near the lands with most cartridges though, because you loose a lot of magazine space. I can think of two guys who lost pretty large blacktail bucks because they were fooling around with that stupid magazine... or forgot it in the truck all together.

[superdown]

You make some valid points about handloading but were your buddies road hunting? I cant think of single time when actually hunting were loading speed was an issue. also forgeting a mag in the truck doesn't seem likely for a person who checks their weapon over before heading into the bush. superdown

[Intruder]

The Browning design doesn't allow you to seat bullets anywhere near the lands with most cartridges though, because you loose a lot of magazine space. I can think of two guys who lost pretty large blacktail bucks because they were fooling around with that stupid magazine... or forgot it in the truck all together.

The magizine length thing is a major pisser.  Bugs the crap out of me.  Other than that, I really luv the action and features of the the Browning.  Never had any other problems with the box interfering with anything.  I've been tempted to buy other calibers to see if they'd work better in respect to longer COLs.  I'm afraid it would effect how it feeds though.  If you compare the boxes from different cals the only difference seems to be the plastic inserts that makes them a certain fit for certain cals.  I'll have to give it a try sometime. 

[JoshT]

You make some valid points about handloading but were your buddies road hunting? I cant think of single time when actually hunting were loading speed was an issue. also forgeting a mag in the truck doesn't seem likely for a person who checks their weapon over before heading into the bush. superdown

No... but neither of them are the sharpest tools in the shed, and one of them now works for the WDFW (that should clue you in right there!). I know one of the times the guy grabbed the wrong mag on the way out the door... took the .338 mag when he was shooting an '06 (both mags had rounds in them sitting in the safe... simple mistake)... didn't know it till we got to the top of the mountain. On the way down a nice 3x4 walked right out in front of us... and then stopped in a clear-cut at about 60 yards... he did get out and throw a rock at it... I don't think it made him feel better.

I've just never found a situation that I felt a detatchable magazine was a good thing on a hunting rifle. I like having a floorplate so I can just drop the rounds without having to cycle them... but a magazine... naw. Never seen anyone dump the rounds from a rifle on accident... but dumber stuff has happened... hell, Obama got elected.

[superdown]

Yeah, well that's one of the many reasons i allways have a back up rifle with me it's usually something like a 308mkII77 or a blr in 358

[ihunt]

The Browning design doesn't allow you to seat bullets anywhere near the lands with most cartridges though, because you loose a lot of magazine space. I can think of two guys who lost pretty large blacktail bucks because they were fooling around with that stupid magazine... or forgot it in the truck all together.

I have a 7mm abolt i shoot 168 bergers o.a.l 3.350 on the lands and can put 3 rounds in the clip.just file the clip.