300 WSM vs. 300 WM

[Glassin]

Have been researching rifles/calibers/ammo/etc targeting primarily elk & mulies effective to 700(+) yds. The selection process has narrowed me down to a 300 WSM or 300 WM and likely a 175/185gr Berger bullet. Lookin for feedback as to which is more effective (ballistics/energy/lethal range/etc) to 700yds, the 300 WSM or 300 WM?

 

[Broz]

I favor the 300 Win for a couple reasons. May I ask why you would choose the lighter bullets instead of the higher BC and sectional density of the 210, 215 or 230?

Jeff

Edit, I just noticed this is a first post. So let me welcome you.

Also here is a thread you may be interested in to draw some conclusions. It's long but full of real data.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/comparing-berger-210-vld-215-hybrid-88657/





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[D.ID]

I favor the 300 Win for a couple reasons. May I ask why you would choose the lighter bullets instead of the higher BC and sectional density of the 210, 215 or 230?

Jeff

Edit, I just noticed this is a first post. So let me welcome you.

Also here is a thread you may be interested in to draw some conclusions. It's long but full of real data.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/comparing-berger-210-vld-215-hybrid-88657/





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+1 Welcome, load the heavies 210+ in the win mag, I would even go at least 190 in the wsm.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

My experience with RL17 in the WSM puts it on par with the WM in most cases. I.e., a few years ago at the local shooting I was shooting 180 E-Tips through my 24" WSM over a chrony. The guy next to me was shooting 180 somethings over a load of RL22 through his WM. He asked me to shoot a couple of his rounds over my chrony. They were going the exact same velocity as mine, which was about 3200 fps. I also got 2935 fps shooting 210 Bergers.

That said, not everyone gets 3200 fps with RL17 and 180's in a WSM, but most get 3100-3200 which is still basically equivilent to the WM most of the time. I would imagine RL17 would give good results in the WM as well.

With the standard powders, the WM is going to be about 100 fps faster than the WSM, give or take.

If you are going to a build, use a long action for the WSM if you choose it. The short action will require you to seat bullets down into the case if you load to fit the mag box which will cause a loss of efficiency. I loaded mine to just off the lands which gave me good case capacity. I loaded one round down with nose of bullet just above the box for a second shot repeater.

Both are capable to 700 yds plus.

Welcome to the forum and good shooting!

 

[Rimfire]

Have been researching rifles/calibers/ammo/etc targeting primarily elk & mulies effective to 700(+) yds. The selection process has narrowed me down to a 300 WSM or 300 WM and likely a 175/185gr Berger bullet. Lookin for feedback as to which is more effective (ballistics/energy/lethal range/etc) to 700yds, the 300 WSM or 300 WM?

Im a huge fan of both and currently shoot a custom WSM, for what you want it for I would go with the win mag also with a 200-215 bullet.

The WSM in a short action is at its best with a 175 seated out where it belongs it will fit the mag 2.850" even with a 2.980 AI mag it is tight with a 185 seated out. If you run it in a long action the to use heavy long bullets the Win mag will out run it with heavy bullets. So for me with elk involed= heavy bullets and the Win mag.

 

[Glassin]

Broz, Thx for the prompt response. Regarding your question on the light weight rounds, my proposal for 175/185 gr was strictly based on other feedback. I also presumed the heavier bullets would start dropping off the table at the longer yardages? Lookin for optimal balance of distance/energy for effective kills. With all that said, I'm lookin to buy my 1st "Western" rifle and basically learning from scratch, so any/all input is welcome & appreciated prior to this relatively large investment (from my financial perspective). I do want to stick with either the 300 wsm or 300 wm; need help deciding.

 

[Broz]

Broz, Thx for the prompt response. Regarding your question on the light weight rounds, my proposal for 175/185 gr was strictly based on other feedback. I also presumed the heavier bullets would start dropping off the table at the longer yardages? Lookin for optimal balance of distance/energy for effective kills. With all that said, I'm lookin to buy my 1st "Western" rifle and basically learning from scratch, so any/all input is welcome & appreciated prior to this relatively large investment (from my financial perspective). I do want to stick with either the 300 wsm or 300 wm; need help deciding.

Just the opposite, The heavier bullet will be the faster bullet down range. The weight and higher BC helps it to retain more velocity. The lighter bullet starts off faster but also looses Velocity faster so in the end the heaviest will stay up there longer and always deliver more energy to the target.

Also you stated you were going to use the Bergers. They are great bullets and I use them too. They are designed to fragment off pieces into the vitals after entering the vital cavity. For this I feel it is much better to use heavier offerings so after some fragments off there is more left to carry on through the animal.

Read that thread when you have time. There are 19 documented pics and impact velocities from my 300 win and the 215 Bergers. Antelope, deer and elk from 200 yards to 1285 yards. Then after maybe you will have a better feel if this type of bullet and rifle is what you prefer.

jeff

 

[beanur]

Glassin welcome to the Forum. I have a 300 wsm just got it on a good deal. I have nothing to add to your question. But i can tell you that there are alot of helpful people on this forum.. Welcome Again...gun)

 

[clemens]

Thinking over prospect of getting a 7rm or 300wm in near future so if I read this correctly both are good rounds to choose from but the wm better for longer heavier bullets? 2nd question can the WM be head spaced off of shoulder by bumping shoulder back .002 or does this weaken the brass in this particular round? And is it worth the effort.

 

[clemens]

Messed that question up. I am thinking of a 7mm but my question was meant to be about the 300wsm and 300wm being both good round but the wm version handles 200gr bullets and heavier better and if the 300wm can be head spaced off of the shoulder by bumping it back .002 and is it worth the extra time??

 

[COBrad]

That is the way you should resize almost any brass, headspace .002 off the shoulder. Forget about the belt.
For what it's worth, after a fair amount of experience with both, I prefer the 7 mag to a .300. It's pretty hard to beat a .284 180 gr Berger with its' .659 G1 BC. Sure you can go to the 210 gr .308 bullet for .631 BC, and no appreciable difference, but the extra 30 grains of bullet and heavier powder load make for stouter recoil. Not much maybe, but stouter.
In the end they are close enough that I don't believe an elk is going to know the difference at any range.
I would go with a .338 and super high BC's if I thought I needed more than what my 7mm delivers.