wsm

[bamadawg2009]

This is just to help me make up my mind. I have never been a fan of the short mag FAD but I got bit by the bug the other day. Im going to have a short magnum built but Im just torn btween the 7mm WSM or the 300 WSM.

The gun will be used for deer hunting, and my long shots are no more than 500-600 yds, most along the lines of 100-300yds. I was just wandering what the pros and cons of both cartridges are. I want to shoot any where from 168 to 185 gr bergers and i want to know if the 7WSM has the UMPH to make it a future long range rifle.

Ive always like 30 caliber but would like for my little girl to be able to shoot the rifle some day so a muzzle break is already in my thaught process for that. Would the 7WSM be more suited to a smaller frame shooter, I shouldnt say she will be small framed. Im 6'2 270 and work out 3 to 5 days a week, and her mom is 5'9 ex sports guru in high school, so my little girl wont be so little when she starts shooting this gun.

What weight bullets would work the best in either and what are the best powder choices for the short mags.

Sorry for the long read but I am totally new to the short mag stuff.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

For you stated range and animal I would say there is no need for a magnum round. The 308 winchester or 7mm-08 will serve you just fine with a lot less recoil. If you were pushing the 1k envelope on deer then yes go for the magnum.

As for the whole 7mm or 30 cal its up to you your going to get a million awnsers and to tell you the truth there is not one thats better. Its personal choice

 

[barnesuser28]

i would go with the 7mm wsm, for weight to b.c ratio the .284 diameter is the better choice. Now if you plan to hunt elk at extended ranges i would go with the 300 wsm just because of the extra umph. I am not saying that a 7mm wsm wouldnt cut it but i know i would be more confidant with a .308 caliber rifle on elk at long range

 

[bamadawg2009]

Thanks guys for the info guys I already have 3 308s, 1 built on a vz-24 mauser action and a 7mm-08 that i never shoot just wanted something a little different. The only reason Im leaning towards the 300 is I just had a 280AI built last year and I dont want the same thing just in a short action with the 7WSM.

 

[winmag]

300WSM has longer barrel life. Plus the largest selection of bullet weights of ANY caliber.

Honest opinion, icanhithimman said it best. It's a personal choice, & there is no end to the answers youll get. Both add up on paper, to easily handle what your asking.

I'll freely admit that I'm a 30 cal freak, and that I'm not a fan of any 7mm in any chambering period. It's a matter of personal experiences, & my personal choice. So with that said my very bias views are completely & 100% slanted for the 300. Take it for what its worth.
I know of folks that own, & use 7mm's in a veriety of cartriges. They like how they pencil out on paper. I'm just not one of those guys. Id rather fling a bigger bullet. I'm of the opinion that The Most lugg nuts wins the wreck. It's that whole silly physics/momentum thing that the 7mm guys always overlook while they throw stats at you.

I own & love a 270WSM for Extended range (500 +/-) Deer, Antelope,& Bear, & it can pull double duty as my wife's Elk rifle. But I'm having a 300WSM built as we speak for Deer, Bear & Elk at Long Range (any critter in North America except maybe Griz under 1k) Anything farther out & I'm bumping it up to a 338. This philosophy fits my hunting style well, & leaves me plenty of room for insurance just incase.
The WSM's are a very efficient case design, which makes them very affordable to shoot. I got rid of my 300Wby for this reason. Balistics basically mirror a 300win. with less powder consumption.

Good Luck with your choice. Remember Icanhithimman's advise above all other posts on this thread. Just because its best for one guy, doesn't always mean its best for someone else.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

300WSM has longer barrel life. Plus the largest selection of bullet weights of ANY caliber.

Honest opinion, icanhithimman said it best. It's a personal choice, & there is no end to the answers youll get. Both add up on paper, to easily handle what your asking.

I'll freely admit that I'm a 30 cal freak, and that I'm not a fan of any 7mm in any chambering period. It's a matter of personal experiences, & my personal choice. So with that said my very bias views are completely & 100% slanted for the 300. Take it for what its worth.
I know of folks that own, & use 7mm's in a veriety of cartriges. They like how they pencil out on paper. I'm just not one of those guys. Id rather fling a bigger bullet. I'm of the opinion that The Most lugg nuts wins the wreck. It's that whole silly physics/momentum thing that the 7mm guys always overlook while they throw stats at you.

I own & love a 270WSM for Extended range (500 +/-) Deer, Antelope,& Bear, & it can pull double duty as my wife's Elk rifle. But I'm having a 300WSM built as we speak for Deer, Bear & Elk at Long Range (any critter in North America except maybe Griz under 1k) Anything farther out & I'm bumping it up to a 338. This philosophy fits my hunting style well, & leaves me plenty of room for insurance just incase.
The WSM's are a very efficient case design, which makes them very affordable to shoot. I got rid of my 300Wby for this reason. Balistics basically mirror a 300win. with less powder consumption.

Good Luck with your choice. Remember Icanhithimman's advise above all other posts on this thread. Just because its best for one guy, doesn't always mean its best for someone else.

I have never owned a 7mm anything I'm a 30cal slut all day long or a 338 wich is what I just accuired.

 

[bamadawg2009]

WOW Think im even more biased now to 300. BIGGER REALLY IS BETTER AND MORE POPULARgun)

Now my next question is, for deer would you all shoot 168 or 175 gr bergers. I shoot Nosler BTs in everything for years and loved them until I shot Bergers in my 280AI and my dads 7MM MAG, and the groups went from .8s and .7 in my dads 7mag to .5 from a stock browning A-Bolt. My 280 is just one ragged hole with bergers.

Ok back on track now will the 168VLD hold up to velocity vs impact on a deers shoulder or neck like a 175VLD. I know the heavier the bullet the better BC and all is but which is better when rubber meets the road. I dont want the 168s to just blow up on impact and wound an animal.

 

[7stw]

WOW Think im even more biased now to 300. BIGGER REALLY IS BETTER AND MORE POPULARgun)

Now my next question is, for deer would you all shoot 168 or 175 gr bergers. I shoot Nosler BTs in everything for years and loved them until I shot Bergers in my 280AI and my dads 7MM MAG, and the groups went from .8s and .7 in my dads 7mag to .5 from a stock browning A-Bolt. My 280 is just one ragged hole with bergers.

Ok back on track now will the 168VLD hold up to velocity vs impact on a deers shoulder or neck like a 175VLD. I know the heavier the bullet the better BC and all is but which is better when rubber meets the road. I dont want the 168s to just blow up on impact and wound an animal.

Your question on the 168 blowing up or not is a valid one. I have personally had three blow ups , one in a 300 ultra, and two in a 7 mag, using the VLD. I love them, but recently I have had some " issues" with them. As far as your caliber choice, both have their benefits, given what you said were your conditions, I would opt for for the 7 WSM. ( I am a 7 mm slut). There are some great bullets avail now in 7 bore, more than ever. The 270 WSM might even be an option. Your ploy is a age old dilemma, but it is fun figuring out which way to go. It is all good!

AIM SMALL, MISS SMALL lightbulb gun) 7 STW.

 

[bamadawg2009]

Good to hear about the blowups. I DONT want a 270wsm just for the fact that bullet selection SUCKS and ive never been a 270 fan.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

WOW Think im even more biased now to 300. BIGGER REALLY IS BETTER AND MORE POPULARgun)

Now my next question is, for deer would you all shoot 168 or 175 gr bergers. I shoot Nosler BTs in everything for years and loved them until I shot Bergers in my 280AI and my dads 7MM MAG, and the groups went from .8s and .7 in my dads 7mag to .5 from a stock browning A-Bolt. My 280 is just one ragged hole with bergers.

Ok back on track now will the 168VLD hold up to velocity vs impact on a deers shoulder or neck like a 175VLD. I know the heavier the bullet the better BC and all is but which is better when rubber meets the road. I dont want the 168s to just blow up on impact and wound an animal.

Nothing smaller than the 210g VLD for my WSM

 

[brentc]

Nothing smaller than the 210g VLD for my WSM

No doubt. 210s and 230s for me. I don't even mess with anything lighter than 200 grains in the 300 WSM anymore. I'll admit it. I've obtained a BC fetish with this round.

 

[bigngreen]

The fact is your going to have to push a 210 VLD in a 300WSM over 2900fps to even match the 270 WSM at a 1000 yards and that's just to match energy, drift and velocity don't come close to the 270 WSM until you push the 210 over 3100fps which isn't happening in a WSM.
There are two bullets for the 270 WSM that will run .650+ BC and go over 3000fps and the 170 Berger coming with a .703 will be almost if not impossible for the 300 WSM to catch. Compare a bullet like the 200gr Accubond against the 170 Berger in the 270 and it's ugly for the 300 on everything possible!!!
Soon the 270 will have 3 bullets over 160gr and over .650 BC, that's plenty of selection on the top end plus having a great selection on the lower end for closer range or lighter recoil plus better brass brass than the 7WSM.

 

[liltank]

Welcome to the WSM madness. I have had one in the past. For your yardages I think you would do well with a mono metal bullet like the Barnes, Hornaday GMX, or the Nosler E-tip. I usually don't suggest these bullets, but since you are only going to 600 max, there is no need for a heavy bullet. If you run the mono metal bullet in a 165-180 grain, you will be good for those distances no problem. You can run a 165 over 3100fps maybe more. If you want to stick with a traditional lead bullet, then go with a bonded bullet of some type.

Now as for caliber... let me muddy the waters. So I know you are stuck on the 300WSM train, but why don't get off at the next stop and take a peak at a couple different 7mm's. I think you would be well suited for the 284 Winchester, and 7mmSAUM. The Saum will use about 10 grains less powder and shoot almost the same speed as the WSM. It is a very efficient little round and will do very well. Now for the .284 Winchester, it is a rebated rim that will work on a standard bolt face. It will send the 140-160 with near magnum speeds and give you better barrel life than the magnums. My uncle has killed many whitetails with this round for a couple decades in his old Winchester lever. He has since retired the rifle, but it worked very well. Both of these rounds are not all that popular and a little different from the norm. So there is my $.02 worth. Crunch these numbers and I think you'll be impressed.

Tank

 

[bamadawg2009]

I do like the 284win but the only thing is I just had a 280Ackley built last summer and dont really have the need for something so close in ballistics to that round when I can just shoot 280Rem loads.