300WSM or 300 mag ?

[tooth doc]

I don't want to shoot the shoulder but if I make a bad shot and hit the shoulder. I think I would be better with the larger caliber?

same caliber

 

[MagnumManiac]

If I were making this decision today, I would get neither, I would get a 300 PRC. It's throated right for the heavy bullets, has no belt. and ADG makes great brass for it. I have/had 2 300 WSMs and a 300 RUM. I think the 300 PRC is a sweet spot.

PRC is no sweet spot.
If we're gonna talk about a cartridge that needs a 3.7" mag box to work….it ain't the PRC that I would be choosing.
The 300WM does it all in a 3.4" mag box and shines just as bright as a PRC in the same 3.7" mag box length.
If you want to utilise a 3.7" mag box, then the RUM is the clear winner, if talking factory actions.
The PRC is simply not a big enough gain to justify the larger action, that's just how it is.
Bandwagons are just that, for bands.

Cheers.

 

[RckyMtnRutt]

300 wm. Shot a 300wsm once and didnt like how much it kicked up on recoil. Been shooting a 300win woth a brake since 15. Lots of animals taken with it never had any problems 180gr accubonds

 

[prscsm]

If you were going to get one for Elk hunting which would you get. Don't plan on shooting more than 600 yards. I had a 300WSM and shot an Elk at 535 yards ran 20 yards. Sold it to help pay for a 6.5x284 for my sheep hunt. Have never had a 300 mag. I know my 6.5 would get it done at 600 but would like something with a little more for that shot if I don't make the perfect shot and end up in the shoulder.

I am sitting on a mountain right now with and elk down 360 yds below me.
I have a 300 wsm. Like the shorter action and also gets great velocity from a 24" barrel vs the 26 needed for the 300 win mag.

 

[ralphjunius]

IME the 300WSM keeps up with my 300WM velocity wise till I get to 200g bullets where the WSM lags by over 100fps. It has been widely reported and I have also experienced cycling problems thru the action with the WSM. It is said to be caused by the 35 degree shoulder coupled with the short case. My gunsmith fixed the cycling problem with my gun. However, you will have a hard time getting him to build one becasuse of the cycling problems he has experienced. All that said, I find that it is a lot easier for me to build an accurate load for the WSM than for the WM.

Contrary to what's been said above, the magazine of my WSM with a Winchester action easily loads all bullets I've tried to the lands. The magazine with my WM is with a Ruger Mark II action and I have not been able to load any bullet to the lands and fit in the magazine, though you may be able to do it with a round nose bullet. The standard WM chamber has a very long throat. All that said a lot of people get very good loads with the WM loaded well off the lands, including my gunsmith.

To finish this thing off, I believe a premium 180g bullet is best for either cartridge. I do not believe the extra weight of the 200g bullet makes up for the significant extra velocity and shock value of the 180g until you are out past 500 yards at which point the velocity shock value is basically lost for any 30 caliber cartridge.

According to a well regarded ballistics expert, shock value is basically lost for just about any bullet in any caliber below 2600fps and that coincides with my admittedly far less experience.

 

[30378wbymag]

I have a 300 WSM sako finnlight (for sale here in the clasifieds) that shoots factory 200 grain ELD-X from a 24" barrel @2840. Just for comparison, the same hornady 200 gran ELD-X factory load does 2900fps from a 26" 300 WBY. I was very pleased by the 300 WSM performance from a more compact package…

Weatherby factory lists that 200gr. ELDX @ 3000 FPS... 160 fps is significant, especially at 500 yds. Just sayin...

Velocity

Bullet Type	Ballistic Coefficient	@ Muzzle	100 Yards	200 Yards	300 Yards	400 Yards	500 Yards
165 Grain Ballistic Tip	0.475	3350	3133	2927	2730	2542	2361
165 Grain Interlock	0.387	3390	3123	2873	2636	2411	2197
180 Grain Interlock	0.425	3240	3005	2782	2570	2368	2175
180 Grain Interbond	0.480	3240	3031	2832	2642	2460	2285
180 Grain TTSX	0.484	3232	3025	2827	2638	2457	2283
180 Grain Ballistic Tip	0.507	3250	3051	2806	2676	2503	2334
180 Grain Accubond	0.507	3250	3051	2806	2676	2503	2335
180 Grain Scirocco	0.520	3175	2985	2803	2628	2460	2298
200 Grain ELD-X	0.597	3000	2840	2687	2538	2394	2255
200 Grain Accubond	0.588	3075	2910	2752	2599	2451	2307

 

[Rick Richard]

It is said to be caused by the 35 degree shoulder coupled with the short case. My gunsmith fixed the cycling problem with my gun.

WSM cycling is best with a Center Feed setup.

 

[FEENIX]

This is why "I" never ask what rifle to buy or build.

 

[Tommy T]

I would go with the 30 nosler i shoot from a 230 gn a tip to a 217beger and 195 Smkt any one of them will will kill anything you want shoot out 8 got 900 yds easy

 

[A4W22CM]

I have both.. I built a wsm on a tikka long action so I could shoot the Barnes 212 LRX and I swapped the barrel on my 300 Win Mag for a 8 twist as well to shoot the new Barnes 208 LRX. I'm getting 2791 FPS out of my wsm 22" barrel. And I'm getting 2922 FPS out of the win mag also 22" barrel. the wsm puts me at 1792 FPS and 1483 ft-lbs at 1k.. I prefer to shoot the wsm with a min expansion on the 212 at 1600 FPS I would be comfortable taking that shot if I didn't have a chance to get closer. I'll use the win mag this year but for a lightweight suppressed rifle 300 wsm and 7 saum are definitely favorite!

 

[tooth doc]

This is why "I" never ask what rifle to buy or build.

hahaha we are all so anal. me included. i handle it by trying to buy one of everything, or 2, or. hmmm 3. im hopelessly hooked. i agree , im a gun nut.

 

[BPollard]

I have a 300 WSM sako finnlight (for sale here in the clasifieds) that shoots factory 200 grain ELD-X from a 24" barrel @2840. Just for comparison, the same hornady 200 gran ELD-X factory load does 2900fps from a 26" 300 WBY. I was very pleased by the 300 WSM performance from a more compact package…

I agree the wsm and the 300 Saum will shoot a heavier bullet just fine I punch a 175 , 190 LRX and 165LRX all three crush. I Save the 200, 205 and 215 for my win mag. To each his own

 

[richhymas]

I know you wanna shoot Elk, but you haven't made suggestions on WHAT bullets you intend to use.
IMHO, the choice between these 2 cases all boils down to bullet choice.
My mate has a WSM, I have several 300WM's, a 300 Bee and a 300 RUM.
They all use different bullet weights.
If I were going to use 180g bullets exclusively, then the WSM is fine for that, it only gives up a 100fps or so to the WM.
If I planned on using 200g bullets, then the WM will handle that better, more capacity, therefore higher velocities.
My mate uses 165g Barnes TTSX in his WSM, funny thing is, this is the only ammo I could get for my 300 RUM. Have fires 3 shots sighting the rifle in so far, it boots quite a bit!
As to brass availability, here in Australia at present, WSM brass is on the shelves, Norma, Remington and Winchester are all in stock, however WM brass is no where to be seen, as is Weatherby or RUM.
We had no brass in stock other than 30-06 for a very long time starting in 2017. It is only the last 2 years that most cartridge cases are back in stock and now we get another lack of stock.
Anyway, the 300WM will most likely always be in stock somewhere.

Cheers.

I agree. I have both. I shoot a 180 scirocco out of the WSM and. 215 berger out of the 300 win mag. Happy with both. The longer bullets may have a longer effective range but I can shoot that scirocco about 800 yards before the velocity drops below my comfort level for reliable expansion, and I don't like to hunt much further than that anyway. My WSM has killed 2 bears without difficulty out to 525 yards. Yep

 

[Paulstarr]

Actually a short fat powder column provides a better more consistent burn rate. One reason the 308 is inherently more accurate than a 30/06.

Cajun is spot on, that's why the short fat cases where developed, more consistent burn rate.