I know I'm probably splitting hairs, but still looking for input. I'm wanting to build a rifle for deer and elk hunting that will reach out to 800 yds. but still come in under 9 pounds. Thinking about the 7WSM shooting 160 grain Accubonds or either of the 300's shooting 180 grain Accubonds. From the research I've done, they are all pretty close. Is there an advantage to the heavier, larger frontal diameter of the 30 cal.? Also, in my research, I've been reading that it would be better to go with a case that doesn't have a belt. Why? Please help!! Like I said, I know they all will probably all suffice, but when I'm looking at spending a couple thousand dollars, I want the best. So any and all input would be greatly appreciated.
7WSM, 300WSM or 300WM
- Thread starter Jumpalot
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
If you want a long range Elk rifle under 9 lbs to reach out to 800, I am sure that any of these will do the job with proper loads. However, IMHO the 300 wm has an advantage in using 200 and 220 grain bullets for the long range hunts. if you can build a rifle light enough for your taste and if you can put up with the additional recoil, I think there will be a small advantage to going this route.
As for the Belted part, couldn't say since I've never loaded a belted mag and only loaded the 300WSM out of the three you selected.
I will admit that I don't have extensive experience, but this is my opinion from a balistics point of view.
BTW, if you are spending lots of $$$, there are many many more cartidges that will have other advantages or disadvantages. how long do you need the barrel to last? try the RUM or the AM's. If you don't mind the recoil, a 338 may be what you are looking for.
Mark.
As for the Belted part, couldn't say since I've never loaded a belted mag and only loaded the 300WSM out of the three you selected.
I will admit that I don't have extensive experience, but this is my opinion from a balistics point of view.
BTW, if you are spending lots of $$$, there are many many more cartidges that will have other advantages or disadvantages. how long do you need the barrel to last? try the RUM or the AM's. If you don't mind the recoil, a 338 may be what you are looking for.
Mark.
Last edited:
albert
Member
All I say is that the 300 WSM is no 300 WM. While the lack of a belt is nice have a belt is hardly a handicap.
None of the above
Hi I would build a 7mm Rem SAUM the reason is the Win cases are a lot thicker than the Rem cases so case capacity is almost the same and the Rem's case allows the projectiles to be seated out further. I would definatley have a Wyats magazine box fitted. As for the action look at a Lawton 7000 model. the RSAUM case also have a 30deg shoulder and the Win case has a 35deg shoulder so the Rem case usually feeds easier. Get a 1 in 8 twist 7mm barrel and you will be able to stabalize 150gr right up to Richard's new 200Gr Wildcat alloy tipped projectiles giving a versitile rifle capable well paxt 1K. The 7mm will have less recoil than a 30cal I am taking liberty that you won't be fitting a muzzle break.
As for a stock check out the carbon stocks from Lone Wolf.
Good luck I bope I helped
Cheers Bill
Hi I would build a 7mm Rem SAUM the reason is the Win cases are a lot thicker than the Rem cases so case capacity is almost the same and the Rem's case allows the projectiles to be seated out further. I would definatley have a Wyats magazine box fitted. As for the action look at a Lawton 7000 model. the RSAUM case also have a 30deg shoulder and the Win case has a 35deg shoulder so the Rem case usually feeds easier. Get a 1 in 8 twist 7mm barrel and you will be able to stabalize 150gr right up to Richard's new 200Gr Wildcat alloy tipped projectiles giving a versitile rifle capable well paxt 1K. The 7mm will have less recoil than a 30cal I am taking liberty that you won't be fitting a muzzle break.
As for a stock check out the carbon stocks from Lone Wolf.
Good luck I bope I helped
Cheers Bill
Shawn Carlock
Sponsor
Jumpalot,
You can build a 9.0 or < rifle in almost any calber you want. The 7 WSM would be my choise I have built and owned them in the past. My favorite was a Rem 700 TI rifle with a #4 Hart fluted barrel, Nightforce 2.5-10 NXS w/ NPR2 reticule and weighed 7.2 lbs ready to go. It was wouderfully accurate shooting 1/2-5/8 moa with little load developement, shot the 160 Accubond @ 3100 fps and was a very capable 600-800 yard rifle. As a note I think that 800 yards was the practical limits of the package though.
You can build a 9.0 or < rifle in almost any calber you want. The 7 WSM would be my choise I have built and owned them in the past. My favorite was a Rem 700 TI rifle with a #4 Hart fluted barrel, Nightforce 2.5-10 NXS w/ NPR2 reticule and weighed 7.2 lbs ready to go. It was wouderfully accurate shooting 1/2-5/8 moa with little load developement, shot the 160 Accubond @ 3100 fps and was a very capable 600-800 yard rifle. As a note I think that 800 yards was the practical limits of the package though.
First start practicing!!!!!! From your post it seems that you are not real familiar with LR shooting---no disrespect intended. Now remember that with the small bullets and placement is key with any projectile but a 250 gr 338 say out of a 338 Lapua would give you a little more margin for error at 800.
Just my .02......
FWIW my long range Colorado gun shoots a 338 Lapua AI and I also have a couple of competition tubes chambered for it.
Just my .02......
FWIW my long range Colorado gun shoots a 338 Lapua AI and I also have a couple of competition tubes chambered for it.
Boss,
You're right I do need to practice more. My furthest shots so far was a cow elk last year at 623 yds., a doe antelope at 687 yds. and a prairie dog at 709 yds. The elk was with my 300WM and and the antelope was with my 270WSM and prairie dog was with 223. Not looking to go with anything 338 as I don't want to mess with the recoil. My 300 doesn't bother me but I'm sure the 338 would be more than I want. If it takes a 338 to take elk at that far, then I won't bother and I'll limit myself to 600. What kind of practice do you suggest? I only have time to get out once maybe twice a week. Shoot a lot of prairie dogs with all my rifles and some paper.
You're right I do need to practice more. My furthest shots so far was a cow elk last year at 623 yds., a doe antelope at 687 yds. and a prairie dog at 709 yds. The elk was with my 300WM and and the antelope was with my 270WSM and prairie dog was with 223. Not looking to go with anything 338 as I don't want to mess with the recoil. My 300 doesn't bother me but I'm sure the 338 would be more than I want. If it takes a 338 to take elk at that far, then I won't bother and I'll limit myself to 600. What kind of practice do you suggest? I only have time to get out once maybe twice a week. Shoot a lot of prairie dogs with all my rifles and some paper.
mikebob
Well-Known Member
300 mag with 190gr bergers gets my vote. Never shot a WSM but a few friends have them, they are good calibers but didn't seem to shoot the heavier bullets very good for them.
300??
I would go with the 30 caliber. For me long range shooting is out to 600 yards. If you want to shoot the heavier bullet's then go with the 300 WM. If 180 or less then go with 300 WSM.
As far as your belt question. When the WSM first came out it was touted as a more accurate round-over the 300 WM. One of the reasons is the lack of belt. With a belt-the cartridge headspaces off the belt. Without the belt it would headspace off the shoulder, which is suppose to be inherently more accurate. You can headspace a belted magnum off the shoulder, but it is much more difficult.
Below is a picture of my newest 300 WSM. I shoot 155 grain Palma's at 3250(H414 is a great powder). It shoots under 4 inch groups at 600 yards. I will be using it for deer this year. I will limit my shots to about 625 yards. Maybe next year I will be able to extend my range some more, but right now anything over 600 and I have some doubt. Out to 600-LOOK OUT. Tom.
I would go with the 30 caliber. For me long range shooting is out to 600 yards. If you want to shoot the heavier bullet's then go with the 300 WM. If 180 or less then go with 300 WSM.
As far as your belt question. When the WSM first came out it was touted as a more accurate round-over the 300 WM. One of the reasons is the lack of belt. With a belt-the cartridge headspaces off the belt. Without the belt it would headspace off the shoulder, which is suppose to be inherently more accurate. You can headspace a belted magnum off the shoulder, but it is much more difficult.
Below is a picture of my newest 300 WSM. I shoot 155 grain Palma's at 3250(H414 is a great powder). It shoots under 4 inch groups at 600 yards. I will be using it for deer this year. I will limit my shots to about 625 yards. Maybe next year I will be able to extend my range some more, but right now anything over 600 and I have some doubt. Out to 600-LOOK OUT. Tom.
30-06 boy
Well-Known Member
in my opinion(which sometimes does not mean much)the belt on the belted magnums is of no hinderance what so ever.my point being,i shot 1000 yard benchrest with a 300 weatherby(16.5 lb class).hench a belt.29"hart barrell/standard chamber.there were many 300 weatherby chamberings there.if these guys are using belted cases in competition,accuracy should not suffer.i used redding bushing neck die and ONLY fl sized when bolt started to close hard on cases.the rifle shot better than i could.my best was 10 shots at 9" at 1000 yards.i currently have a savage police model 110 in 300wm.use lee collet dies/cases headspace on shoulder.shoots very well for facory rifle.i would choose the 300wm and 208 amax or 210 smk.i currently am shooting these bullets.just my .02.good luck
I was just thinking a similar thought, not to hijack the thread, but to stear it or tweak it a bit. I saw a previous post about 7mm Rem Mag versus 7mm WSM.
What are the pros and cons of the above rounds, other than the obvious 7mm Rem Mag being more common, easier to find ammo, etc and the 7mm WSM being newer and somewhat uncommon.
So, would it be difficult to reload ammo and all for a 7mm WSM? It seems like the ballistics would be similar, almost the same to a 7mm Rem Mag.
Thanks
Bill
What are the pros and cons of the above rounds, other than the obvious 7mm Rem Mag being more common, easier to find ammo, etc and the 7mm WSM being newer and somewhat uncommon.
So, would it be difficult to reload ammo and all for a 7mm WSM? It seems like the ballistics would be similar, almost the same to a 7mm Rem Mag.
Thanks
Bill
NYLES
Well-Known Member
Bill, Only difference is the brass and powder choice so if you can get the brass no problem I saw WSM brass somewhere last nigh so I dont see any troubles if thats what you choose to reload....Now my personal choice would be the 7RM maybe that I own one but thats personal choice.
For some reason the short magnums just dont turn me on...Paw in law has a 270WSM in a Browing kicks like a mule compared to my 300WM and my 7RM..hope that might help!
For some reason the short magnums just dont turn me on...Paw in law has a 270WSM in a Browing kicks like a mule compared to my 300WM and my 7RM..hope that might help!
