300 WSM VS. 7mm Rem Mag

[HUNTNORTHWEST]

Looking for opinions with support to back it.
Real world practical experience preferably.

Between these selections. I'm torn between the versatility of the ammo itself and the availability, as well as the high Ballistic Coefficient of the 7mm Rem mag

On the 300WSM side I like the heavier bullet options and the typically lighter and compact rifle of the 300WSM.

I want a rifle that I can take almost anywhere US and CANADA and shoot medium to larger game with.I know from experience both rounds cover this need.

What advise is out there between these two? Ive done multiple google searches and have read lots of info. 7mm Rem mag is usually compared to just the standard 300 win mag

[JoeE]

I've been using a 300 wsm pretty much exclusively since 2003. Killed a couple moose, few elk, few bear and a pile of deer with it. Never felt like I was under gunned and have only shot factory ammo through it and have never had a problem finding ammo.

[Magnum_Willys]

Its amazing the toughness difference berween a typical  bull  elk and a 330 class bull. The neck skin is 3 times as thick - almost an inch - and everything else is 50% larger.
That said, i watched my buddy drop one last fall at 680 yards with one shot through the shoulder with his 300 wsm.  Made a believer outa me - a died in the wool 338 wm shooter. 

[birddogdad]

Its amazing the toughness difference berween a typical  bull  elk and a 330 class bull. The neck skin is 3 times as thick - almost an inch - and everything else is 50% larger.
That said, i watched my buddy drop one last fall at 680 yards with one shot through the shoulder with his 300 wsm.  Made a believer outa me - a died in the wool 338 wm shooter.

So either would work well, bigger the bullet the better (IMO), however, barrel twist will make a big difference for this down range, check with bullet manufacturer stablization requirements. Reaching out, consider the proper optics to get the job done. Trouble becomes your reduced field of view for most normal closer situations on moving targets even dialed down magnifications, either way, OPTICS are very important, don't cheap out there.

I am a "bigger is better guy" as well.. shot a 338 for years and shifted to a 375 H&H. have had guys in my camp reach out with a 300WSM as well. Both 7/300 shoot very flat at distances. If you are traveling N America, you can sure go with either of those you discussed, I have a 7rem mag works just fine out to 1K yds but range requires significant practice, I shoot 168 berger hunting vld's only. Shifting gears, my best shooting rifle is the 375 and you can shoot deer to moose very cleanly with it and depending on the hunt situation. Have taken game close up in heavy brush like shooting a shotgun with buckshot (300gr FMJ's) to reaching out long ranges with complete confidence (300gr game kings) in performance... when I was young, there was a big game sports writer that I very much enjoyed his readings. If you like to read, google  Finn Aagaard on the 375. only negative on this rifle is weight to carry, currently im shaving weight with a custom stock setup.  Of note, seems as if some part of the reloading process for my 7REM mag is consistently tough to achieve, currently cant find (for last 4+months) Winchester brass so be mindful. If you are a reloader when you find buy in bulk! If you just buy loaded ammo, no worries, however, just when you get a great shooting factory ammo worked in, the company will stop making it for something new and improved and you are back to the beginning again. The final recommendation would be, if you can afford, different setups for specific applications not just locked into a single multi function rifle...light for mt climbing to larger cal for larger game ect. 

cant go wrong either way on your choices, be mindful, both available from very cheap to very expensive rifles, like everything else, you get what you pay for, may even consider a custom build if you are really into a longer range gun to allow longer vld/eld style bullets and overall lengths to support accuracy while still allowing action cycling vs a single feed for hunting scenario (PITA), don't know your situation but this would most definitely require reloading vs factory and is another world to become involved with.

[Magnum_Willys]

My ultimate rifle will be done this month.  10lb complete, 338 Lapua with big brake, carbon stock and barrel, light leupold cds scope, magnetic carbon removeable bipod, will duplicate my current 338wm in weight and performance using light load 225 trophy bondeds without the brake.    But for long range hunts I can screw on the brake and shoot full bore 300 gr SMKs. 

[theleo]

Personally I like the bullet selection that will work in the 7mm Rem more than the 300 WSM. The bullets heavier than standard 180gr choices in the 300 WSM usually end up seating below the case neck in short action rifles you usually find them chambered in. The 7mm Rem with the 160-180gr bullets really reaches out there especially with a 26-28" barrel. If it wasn't for my preference for .284 diameter bullets (really can't justify except I like the energy they carry with less recoil) it'd be a coin flip, both cartridges kill stuff.

[dc]

I was a 7mm guy for many yrs.  I did some reading on the 300 wsm and decided to give it a go.  I am sold on the Tikka 300 wsm.  It does not seem to kill anything more dead  than the 7mm did but I do not see myself using anything else in the future.  I had a guy reloading wsm ammo for me and my gun liked it alot.  On a whim, I tried Fusion ammo and it shot as good as my fancy reloads.  Bottom line is both flat out shoot and the critters seem to hate both equally. 

[carpsniperg2]

Look at the 7 stw. There is some factory ammo out there from nosler and etc. If you reload you can really see some great range of bullet choice in the 7mm as well. If you are just running factory ammo. I would grab the 300 wsm. I have both 7rm and 300wsm. My 300wsm rifles get a lot more use. My 7mm stw get more use then both 7rm and 300wsm.

[kselkhunter]

I went through similar dilemma four years back and chose 7mmRM over 300WSM/300WinMag.  Mine is a long range setup from Browning, so a little heavier than standard.  I use 168g Nosler Accubonds.  I've only taken a couple deer with it so far, and the 168s were quite devastating on the deer....I have 100% confidence shooting an elk or black bear with those bullets.  Ballistically speaking there is not much difference in the calibers below 180g bullet sizes, and the 300WSM takes over at 180g and up.  Both are great calibers.  Both have plenty of factory ammunition options if you don't reload.  I love my 7mmRM Browning, and my buddy hunts with a Tikka in 300WSM and loves it.   

However, you mention Canada and all of North America.  If I knew I had a trip planned up north that would cause me to likely choose the 300WSM for ability to step up to 200g bullets.  Bigger hole, heavier bullet wins out on larger sized game in my opinion. 

Although if you're going to be spending multiple trips in Canada or Alaska with the all around gun, I'd probably go 338WM or some other mid-bore as my all around rifle and just use reduced loads/smaller bullets on smaller game.

 

[Alchase]

Looking for opinions with support to back it.
Real world practical experience preferably.

Between these selections. I'm torn between the versatility of the ammo itself and the availability, as well as the high Ballistic Coefficient of the 7mm Rem mag

On the 300WSM side I like the heavier bullet options and the typically lighter and compact rifle of the 300WSM.

I want a rifle that I can take almost anywhere US and CANADA and shoot medium to larger game with.I know from experience both rounds cover this need.

What advise is out there between these two? Ive done multiple google searches and have read lots of info. 7mm Rem mag is usually compared to just the standard 300 win mag

Most rifles I own can be bought in all three calibers 300 Win Mag, 7 MM, and 300 WSM, the only thing compact differences between these is the
"short action"
the rifles are the same. 

And the bullet size difference is basically down to shooting preference.
The 300 Win Mag seems to have a larger range of bullet selection.

I seriously doubt you "feel" any difference between a rifle in 300 WM, and the same rifle in 300 WSM or 7MM.

I have both 300Win Mag and 7MM, if I was to buy another I would buy the 300 WSM just because I do not have one, and I like (short magnums, I have a 243 wssm) not for any misplaced belief their is an advantage of one over the other, there really in not.
It is a personal preference.

[Alchase]

I will say, there is a distinct advantage in ammo availability.
I can go in any store that sells ammo and find 300 Win Mag.
Most will have some 7 MM, not as many 300 WSM.
Not that it means much unless they have the ammo your rifle like to shoot, LOL

[Taco280AI]

Either will work and with proper bullet selection and shot placement a deer or elk won't know the difference.

As for ammo availability, buy more than box when you go to the store, don't lose it, don't forget it and you'll be fine.

[Bofire]

What Alchase said. deer or elk moose etc won't know which one yer shooting. all kill, if you hit the vitals
Carl

[Bob33]

My go-to rifle for most big game is a 300 WSM.  I like short actions and do find the recoil to be a bit less than a 300 Win Mag in my experience

[HUNTNORTHWEST]

Thanks for the responses. Lots of good information. I do reload and I have heard that the 7mm can be difficult at times.

I think after reading all of your responses I'm leaning toward the 300wsm. Any additional thoughts are welcome.