Please let me give some back ground to this topic. I wanting to build a long range possible gun for western big game ( elk, mule, praying sheep) and am slightly lost on this topic. Everything I read says the weapon of choice is either 300 weatherby mag or 300 win mag. I personally thought the 300 short mag was built to be ballistically the same. But I could easily be wrong. I do live in Florida where 300 yards is long. Lol. can someone please help clarify the differences. Being pros or cons.from the short mag to the others. Thanks in advance.
Help understanding 300WSM vs the 300 Win mag
- Thread starter SEcowboy
- Start date
MotoHunter
New member
7mm mag, or 300 win mag for hunting out west without getting too specialized. There is a ton of affordable factory ammo available for these calibers. My go to big game rig is a 7mm mag and it has never failed me.
LUCKYDOG
Active member
I don't do a lot of long range shooting. 400 yards would probably be as far as I would be comfortable with on elk and deer. I also don't reload. Never have and doubt I ever will. Maybe if I ever retire. Here's the difference in the two for me. With the 300 Win Mag you have a 26" barrel and a long chamber. With the long chamber you have very little room to move your scope. With the 300 WSM you have a 23" barrel and a short chamber. With the short chamber you have more flexibility with your scope placement. The difference in chamber lengeth and barrel length make the 300 WSM much more pleasurable to carry around the mountains and easier to get on target much quicker. The ballistics from factory ammo are about the same. I can't speak of which one is better for reloading.
Again I'll say, The 300 WSM is a pleasure to carry around and very easy to get on target with. The ballistics are amazing and the factory ammo is found everywhere. I think there are several very good reasons why it is one of the fastest growing big came rounds on the market today.
Again I'll say, The 300 WSM is a pleasure to carry around and very easy to get on target with. The ballistics are amazing and the factory ammo is found everywhere. I think there are several very good reasons why it is one of the fastest growing big came rounds on the market today.
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If you want to shoot 150-165 grain bullets, the .300 WSM is pretty close to the venerable Win Mag. But, if you want to launch the longer 180-200 grain bullets that are often used for longer range shooting, you're better served with the slightly larger case capacity of the Win Mag, plus its longer action and barrel.
I shoot a .300 WSM with 150 grain Barnes TTSX bullets. It's a hammer, but I don't think it's quite the long range rifle that a Win Mag with quality 180-200 grain bullets would be. But then, I'm not a long range shooter. I liked the light, easily carried Kimber 8400 that just happened to be chambered in .300 WSM. I pretty much hold on hair out the 300 yards or so and am happy with that. With a solid rest (prone?) I'd try 400, but any farther than that I just sneak closer or leave it alone.
I shoot a .300 WSM with 150 grain Barnes TTSX bullets. It's a hammer, but I don't think it's quite the long range rifle that a Win Mag with quality 180-200 grain bullets would be. But then, I'm not a long range shooter. I liked the light, easily carried Kimber 8400 that just happened to be chambered in .300 WSM. I pretty much hold on hair out the 300 yards or so and am happy with that. With a solid rest (prone?) I'd try 400, but any farther than that I just sneak closer or leave it alone.
The WSM is about equal until you get to the 180gr range, then it can't hang with the WM. In a short action it is neutered, if you put it in a long action the difference is very marginal but why do that when WM brass and loads are easier to find and cheaper?
The RSAUM line, which fizzled, was designed to maximize what could be done in a truly short action cartridge. The WSM outperforms it, but is really too big to maximize in a short action.
Unless you are married to doing a short action, I'd just do a WM. I have a WSM wildcat and I spent 3 years looking for Winchester brass to modify before recently finding some. WM brass is everywhere.
The RSAUM line, which fizzled, was designed to maximize what could be done in a truly short action cartridge. The WSM outperforms it, but is really too big to maximize in a short action.
Unless you are married to doing a short action, I'd just do a WM. I have a WSM wildcat and I spent 3 years looking for Winchester brass to modify before recently finding some. WM brass is everywhere.
tripod3
New member
I have preferred the .300 WM and purchased several makes and models, only 1 26 in. and the rest came in 24 in..
They handle the larger & small bullets and are available in marts for much less money than WSM.
Many specific long range rifles are available chambered for the WM.
When I show up at elk camp the WM gains more respect.
They handle the larger & small bullets and are available in marts for much less money than WSM.
Many specific long range rifles are available chambered for the WM.
When I show up at elk camp the WM gains more respect.
jcs271
Well-known member
The 300 Win Mag can handle the entire spectrum of bullet weights much more efficiently than the short mag can. This is a very important consideration for a big game rifle. When You also factor in the cheaper cost and availability of factory ammo in most any store or gas station in the western states. There really is no reason at all to buy the short mag!
450 Dakota
Member
Desert Ram and Sringer are spot on in their assessment on the 300 Win. I have a 300 Wby, 300 Win, 300 WSM and a 300 Ultra. I live in Arizona and hunt Colorado as well. You didn't say if you reload. If not get the 300 Win and if you do get the 300 Win. With a good 180 gr or even a 200 gr bullet there isn't anything it won't do. I've shot Buffalo, Bear, Elk , Antelope, Coues deer and Mule deer with a 300 Win. It has the power to reach across the canyons 500-600 yards pretty easy and isn't as bad close up as the bigger 300s are. I have several guns and when I go I take the 300 Win as my back up because it is hard to beat as an all around caliber out West and a lot of other places. Ammo and brass are the easiest to find for the 300 Win. 300 Wby is usually easy to find but you are going to pay for it, same for the Ultra. WSM seems to be hit and miss where I live. WSM and the Win have comparable recoil but it is a step up on the Wby and Ultra.
Re versitality, in my WM i shoot 200gr Accubond as my primary load, but also shoot 110 vmax (3800fps) and 125gr BT for varmints. It is the most versatile rifle I own. When I bought it (Sendero) they also has a 300 RSAUM on the rack next to it at Cabelas. My choice was made when I investigated ammo in stock, and they had a full shelf of various WM options but only two boxes...total...of RSAUM in stock (circa 2004).
I would build a WSM if I had a reason for a dedicTed 30 caliber rifle to shoot 165gr or lighter bullets out of a short action.
I would build a WSM if I had a reason for a dedicTed 30 caliber rifle to shoot 165gr or lighter bullets out of a short action.
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sandy hicks
New member
IMO. 300wsm is hype. You will save a few ounces of rifle weight in the short action. You still need 24 inches of barrel to make it worth while.
The 300wm is everywhere for a reason.
If I was going sheep hunting, Iwould have a 300wea with me. You might not find it at walmart but the vast majority of big box sport shops will have it. Both of mine shoot federal premiums very well. The price difference is neglible unless you buy the shells loaded with expensive bullets. I consider this a plus also because wea. factory ammo comes in a pretty good variety of ultra premium bullets. You usually dont find that for the other 2.
300wea. Is my first choice for everything. Second 28 nosler???
The 300wm is everywhere for a reason.
If I was going sheep hunting, Iwould have a 300wea with me. You might not find it at walmart but the vast majority of big box sport shops will have it. Both of mine shoot federal premiums very well. The price difference is neglible unless you buy the shells loaded with expensive bullets. I consider this a plus also because wea. factory ammo comes in a pretty good variety of ultra premium bullets. You usually dont find that for the other 2.
300wea. Is my first choice for everything. Second 28 nosler???
I hunt whitetails with a restocked,rebarreled Rem 721 300 H&H mag 165gr hpbt n have owned a 300wm....any 30 cal. mag will get the job done well,the difference is minimal. The wsm is on a short action,the wm is a long action. It comes down to personal preference cuz the animals wont know what hit em with either. I think as far as ammo availability goes 300wm gets the win.
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