300 WSM vs 300 Win mag

[Jonathan_S]

 

It seems like the 300wsm is just a souped-up 30-06, whereas the 300 is in a realm of its own. Sure, you can shoot 165 or 180s out of the 300, just as you can shoot 220s out of the 06, but you don't see very many people doing it.

There are a bunch of big 30s to run with the win mag. I’ve shot and loaded for both the .30-06 and 300 wsm and there is no comparison

[Bofire]

BiggerHammer nails it!!
Carl

[kselkhunter]

Yeah, Biggerhammer nails it on choosing your target bullet weight and rifle first before picking caliber.  Good advice.   The cartridge design and powder capacity will determine the best caliber based on your target bullet weight. 

And I agree with Mray that if you just want to shoot weights in the 160s another option to consider is the 7mmRM.   I shoot 168 grain bullets out of my 7mmRM (Accubond LR and BergerVLD).  Very good performance for bullet weights in that class.

The bigger 30s are definitely better if you want to step up to bigger bullets someday, or want that extra powder and velocity for longer range shots with lighter bullets. 

[yorketransport]

  LOL you crack me up man. I saw the title of this thread and thought man hammer is going to loose it on this.
As we have discussed before longer pipes = more burn for slower powders used a lot with heavys. When the faster lighter bullets can use the quicker burn powders with shorter pipes very well.

This hasn't been my experience when working with short barrels, which I've done a lot of. The powder which gives best velocity in a long barrel typically gives the best velocity in a shorter barre as well. Slower powders in a longer barrel have given me slightly lower SDs in some guns than the same powder/load combo in a short barreled gun, but not enough to draw any real conclusions.

I've had both 14" and 30" barreled 300 WSMs and in both guns I got the best velocity with H 4831sc when loaded to what I felt were max charges. H4831sc is about the slowest powder that's really practical in a 30 caliber case as small as the WSM.

14" barrel: 68.2gr H4831sc 210 Berger VLD @ 2465fps
30" barrel: 68.4gr H4831sc 210 Berger VLD @ 2930fps

The same goes for the 338/375 Ruger in 18" and 28" barrels using H100v, 6mm BR in 19" and 30" barrels using Varget, 243 Win in 14" and 28" barrels with Retumbo, the 284 Winchester in 18" and 30" barrels using H4831sc, and the 338/408 Improved in 20" and 31" barrels using H50 BMG.

It's amazing how much powder you can burn in an 18" barrel. I need to set up my camera and get a good video of shooting the 338/408 Improved pistol at night; that's one of my favorite ways to check powder burn efficiency. Its not at all scientific, but the muzzle flash does give you a good idea of powder burn efficiency.

As far as the WSM or WM debate, I say neither. Go with a 300 Dakota and smoke both of them! Or better still, go with the 300/375 Ruger.

[carpsniperg2]

You have run a lot over the chrony compared to me for sure. My testing is a lot more limited.

What I am saying is not what gives the highest velocity but gives the best performance with the bullet weigh selected.
In my case I have seen the 300wsm shine with faster powders and lighter bullets. As compared to my 300 win with a longer barrel, heavy bullet and slow powder.

Just my experience with my guns.

[Magnum_Willys]

I don't think a brake is really needed on those cartridges.  Once powder plus bullet weight combined get around 450 grains the brake starts feeling like a better idea.

So no brakes this side of Africa ?   i.e. 300 gr SMK and 112 gr RL33 is in no brake zone ?

[Bob33]

I'm a self admitted recoil woos and can shoot a 300 WSM without a brake. Total weight with optics and sling is 8.25 pounds. I greatly prefer a slight jab to a hearing damage level bang.

[jager]

I've shot both.
 Own a 300 WSM. (Winchester featherweight)  Much prefer it. To each their own, but not a fan of brakes!
I shoot up to 180 grain Accubonds. Factory ammo. Never a complaint.
Recoil not an issue.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I've shot both.
 Own a 300 WSM. (Winchester featherweight)  Much prefer it. To each their own, but not a fan of brakes!
I shoot up to 180 grain Accubonds. Factory ammo. Never a complaint.
Recoil not an issue.

.

Yep 180’s out of both for me, no issues with recoil, my winnie is a little louder than the WSM due to that thingy with holes on the end of the barrel.

[lewy]

My wsm pushes 180 ab’s 3050fps and is a killing machine

[jdb]

I'm a self admitted recoil woos and can shoot a 300 WSM without a brake. Total weight with optics and sling is 8.25 pounds. I greatly prefer a slight jab to a hearing damage level bang.

i agree with every point  you made

[JakeLand]

I honestly couldn't tell what the recoil feels like when I'm hunting 

[farmin4u_98948]

Great info.  Thanks members

[Jason]

I'm just bummed that the 30.06 guy hasn't chimed in. You know that guy? The one who says that a 30.06 loaded with his hand loads will shoot the same velocity of a 300wm of same bullet weight.
There's no need to burn all that extra powder!

[Wanttohuntmore]

I'm a 7stw guy,  and prefer the win over the wsm.  I would go 3006 before the wsm, not saying i would never own a wsm, but for case availability,  clambering,  etc, its really hard to beat the 3006.  You can get so close to wsm velocities with a 3006 that it is a moot point.   If velocity really is your concern get one of the big 30's.  I'd pick the rifle first,  then the cartridge.