Guidance/Suggestions on two WSM A-BOLTS

[dciron]

I would like to tap into the knowledge and experience of this forum to ask for some guidance. I have 2 A-bolt rifles, like new, a 7MMWSM and a 300WSM that my father and I purchased years ago. I am looking at re-barreling and installing them into new carbon stocks. Here is my question... I am looking at maybe getting a better spread between calibers to hunt from a large size of Elk/Black Bear, a middle of Deer Size game, to a small size Pronghorn/Blacktail/Coyote. Do I keep the 300WSM for the larger, if so should I throat it for the new longer/high BC bullets or stay with one of the many options offered in factory ammo from 180gr up? Then chamber the other in ???? 6.8 Western? 6.5 PRC? Fast 1/4 bore or 22? Do I keep the 7MM WSM, ammo a bit harder to find in factory form, for the larger game and change out the 300WSM for smaller game? Or is there a combination of 2 that these Magnum bolt face, short actions, would be better built as?

I really appreciate the experience here to help me figure this out.

 

[dciron]

Oh forgot to add, if it matters, that I am planning to go with 20/21" barrel and be suppressed.

 

[Rick Richard]

You get into some magazine issues when you decide to extend the overall length of the WSM round. Too long and they will not fit into a stock mag and you will have to single feed.

If you are happy with the accuracy and etc of the the 300 WSM, then I would leave it as is and rebarreled the other to a 6.5 PRC or SAUM.

As for as barrel length, you just give up some velocity but gain maneuverability to some degree.

 

[JAYgs8163]

^^ this! Keep the 300 WSM and then do a 6.5 PRC. Both have great factory ammo support based on short action offerings, great components, brass and projectiles, for the reloader and will do everything you mentioned. If you reload you can do some great loads with heavy projectiles still based out of the short action coal limitation you have.

 

[FEENIX]

I would like to tap into the knowledge and experience of this forum to ask for some guidance. I have 2 A-bolt rifles, like new, a 7MMWSM and a 300WSM that my father and I purchased years ago. I am looking at re-barreling and installing them into new carbon stocks. Here is my question... I am looking at maybe getting a better spread between calibers to hunt from a large size of Elk/Black Bear, a middle of Deer Size game, to a small size Pronghorn/Blacktail/Coyote. Do I keep the 300WSM for the larger, if so should I throat it for the new longer/high BC bullets or stay with one of the many options offered in factory ammo from 180gr up? Then chamber the other in ???? 6.8 Western? 6.5 PRC? Fast 1/4 bore or 22? Do I keep the 7MM WSM, ammo a bit harder to find in factory form, for the larger game and change out the 300WSM for smaller game? Or is there a combination of 2 that these Magnum bolt face, short actions, would be better built as?

I really appreciate the experience here to help me figure this out.

This boils down to personal preference. I am not a fan of re-barreling unless it is due. @Rick Richard addressed the challenge with the short COAL; they shine if you can get them to 3.2" COAL. I have 2 .300 WSMs, and one is loaded with the 215 Berger at 2850 FPS. The COAL is <3.00" but is in no slouch.

 

[Bang4theBuck]

I think for the money and end result, you put your effort into developing loads with a wider range of bullets for the cartridges you already have. I would 100% not touch the 300 WSM. The 7 WSM, while components are hard to come by, if you put your head down and really pay attention, you can come up with what you need. If you load that 7mm WSM with a lightweight hammer bullet at screamer speeds, it would be perfect for all the lighter game that you mentioned.

Then, for all or part of the money you would have put into rebarrelling, go get another rifle that fills another gap, or is a compliment to these two. Maybe a 22 Creedmoor or something like that.

 

[littlebighorn]

I have an A bolt 300WSM that was my go to rifle for 20 years. I did put a break on mine to tame recoil but I agree, if you can get it to shoot, I'd leave it be. If it won't shoot I'd sitll stick with rebarreling a 300WSM. It's a great cartridge. You could consider rebarreling the 7 down to a 270WSM which has more factory ammo options.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Agree with the above also about the 270WSM. Great cartridge and with the proper twist, a 7 or a 8, you could shoot the 270 heavies or the light ones. Good brass support also from Nosler and Norma!! Decent factory ammo offerings in the 270WSM. LGS has a decent selection of newer offerings in my town. I like the 270WSM so much I'm building one as a project now.

 

[coueskiller43]

Have you already found a source for A-bolt carbon stocks? It's pretty tough to find aftermarket stocks for the A-bolt. I know Bell Carlson makes some but I'm not sure if anyone makes a carbon stock in that inlet. I could be wrong though Something to check out before you commit to your new build.

 

[marksman1941]

I am a massive a bolt fan, and have decided that they tend not to be worth changing much on. I would leave both as they are, and put the money into a new rifle in the caliber of your choice. If you absolutely need to change something, keep the .300 and rebarrel the 7 to 6.5 prc

 

[dciron]

You get into some magazine issues when you decide to extend the overall length of the WSM round. Too long and they will not fit into a stock mag and you will have to single feed.

If you are happy with the accuracy and etc of the the 300 WSM, then I would leave it as is and rebarreled the other to a 6.5 PRC or SAUM.

As for as barrel length, you just give up some velocity but gain maneuverability to some degree.

Thank you Rick

 

[dciron]

^^ this! Keep the 300 WSM and then do a 6.5 PRC. Both have great factory ammo support based on short action offerings, great components, brass and projectiles, for the reloader and will do everything you mentioned. If you reload you can do some great loads with heavy projectiles still based out of the short action coal limitation you have.

Jay I appreciate the feedback

 

[dciron]

I think for the money and end result, you put your effort into developing loads with a wider range of bullets for the cartridges you already have. I would 100% not touch the 300 WSM. The 7 WSM, while components are hard to come by, if you put your head down and really pay attention, you can come up with what you need. If you load that 7mm WSM with a lightweight hammer bullet at screamer speeds, it would be perfect for all the lighter game that you mentioned.

Then, for all or part of the money you would have put into rebarrelling, go get another rifle that fills another gap, or is a compliment to these two. Maybe a 22 Creedmoor or something like that.

Thank you that is a really good way to think about it. The stocks are the cheap original black polymer, lots of flex, so I want get them into something stiffer. The barrels are pencil thin and not threaded so that's why I was going to re-barrel them.

 

[dciron]

I have an A bolt 300WSM that was my go to rifle for 20 years. I did put a break on mine to tame recoil but I agree, if you can get it to shoot, I'd leave it be. If it won't shoot I'd sitll stick with rebarreling a 300WSM. It's a great cartridge. You could consider rebarreling the 7 down to a 270WSM which has more factory ammo options.

Thank you Littlebig