300 WSM Long Action Build - Input Welcomed

[AZShooter]

I like the idea of a long throated 300 WSM. It would an interesting package for shooting the 230 bergers.

I have posted this before, we made a load for a friend's 300 WSM Browning A-bolt with the boss system. The barrel is only 22" long. Used the 230s and 61 grs of RL-17. Got 2735 fps. The bullet had to be buried in the case but it worked for his purposes.

I can just imagine how much better a long throated version would work. Combine that with a longer barrel and IMO it would be a very useful LR rifle.

Of course I am a fool for this sort of stuff. I have a long throated 338 RCM shooting 300 gr bergers at 2525 fps from a 30" barrel. It sounds like a terrible combination until you see the accuracy and crunch the numbers. That high BC bullet bucks the wind and has incredible downrange energy.
At 550 yds it drifts 10.5" in a 10 mph crosswind and has 3001 ft/lb of energy.

I would think the 300 WSM would also have incredible downrange capabilities with that 230.

 

[brentc]

The WSM doesn't give up much to the WM. There is no gap between the two in realistic performance. The WSM does very well sending 200 grain bullets down range at over 2900 fps with less than 65 grains of powder in 23"-24" barrels.

Now that the higher energy double based powders are getting more temp stable, the WSM is becoming even more viable.

Nathan, I'm looking forward to seeing your results with the bore rider.

As for those complaining of WSM brass shortage, Norma is available right now. Norma made WSM brass is by far the best available. There is no close second place. I've got 15+ reloads on some of my Norma WSM brass.

 

[JW74]

Those were two of the main things that steered me towards the 300 WSM. The first being the great following the round has with the benchrest community, thus telling me the round is fairly easy to tune for accuracy. The 2nd is the non belted brass and re-loading.

If they are both throated long the Win mag should only be about 50fps faster but the benchrest guys swear by the 300wsm. So as I see it you'd have better accuracy, about 13% less recoil, and non-belted brass that usually last quite a bit longer with the 300wsm. The down side to the 300wsm is brass availability and cost. You can buy loaded ammo for the brass though and the longer brass life outweighs the cost. The good thing about the 300wm is the additional velocity and brass availability (but it isn't always available either).

I'm going to try both with bore rider throats to see how they compare. I have two different 26" barrels to compare the. I might also do a velocity test by chambering both ends of the same barrel for each caliber. The velocity test barrel will be a cheap non lapped barrel so it doesn't have "choke" lapped into it but it will work for testing.

 

[JW74]

AZShooter, I agree about the long throat and potential for the 230 Bergers. I have also been shooting some of the ALCO high BC bullets in my 6.5 Creedmoor and look forward to trying some of the 30 cal rounds ALCO makes in the 300 WSM!

I like the idea of a long throated 300 WSM. It would an interesting package for shooting the 230 bergers.

I have posted this before, we made a load for a friend's 300 WSM Browning A-bolt with the boss system. The barrel is only 22" long. Used the 230s and 61 grs of RL-17. Got 2735 fps. The bullet had to be buried in the case but it worked for his purposes.

I can just imagine how much better a long throated version would work. Combine that with a longer barrel and IMO it would be a very useful LR rifle.

Of course I am a fool for this sort of stuff. I have a long throated 338 RCM shooting 300 gr bergers at 2525 fps from a 30" barrel. It sounds like a terrible combination until you see the accuracy and crunch the numbers. That high BC bullet bucks the wind and has incredible downrange energy.
At 550 yds it drifts 10.5" in a 10 mph crosswind and has 3001 ft/lb of energy.

I would think the 300 WSM would also have incredible downrange capabilities with that 230.

 

[JW74]

Brent, I have been seeing Nosler brass (which I believe is made by Norma) in my area on a regular basis for the 300 WSM which is nice. Would you recommend the Nosler brass? Also at guns shows I always find once fired federal brass for fairly cheap as well.

The WSM doesn't give up much to the WM. There is no gap between the two in realistic performance. The WSM does very well sending 200 grain bullets down range at over 2900 fps with less than 65 grains of powder in 23"-24" barrels.

Now that the higher energy double based powders are getting more temp stable, the WSM is becoming even more viable.

Nathan, I'm looking forward to seeing your results with the bore rider.

As for those complaining of WSM brass shortage, Norma is available right now. Norma made WSM brass is by far the best available. There is no close second place. I've got 15+ reloads on some of my Norma WSM brass.

 

[IdahoCTD]

I ordered a Green Mountain 25" 1.25" straight 8 twist barrel yesterday to play with ( I splurged, it was all of 75.00 delivered). I think I'll chamber it for 300wm first and then set it back a bit and rechamber it for 300WSM. I'll try to keep the same length from the bullet to the end of the barrel for both. In a normal barrel the 300wsm gets another .52" of rifling due to the shorter case length. If I chamber each end of the barrel then the effective barrel length is only about 22". That is still OK for a direct velocity comparison but the shorter the barrel is the more it would favor the 300wsm due to the faster powders used IMO..

I really think the 215's are where it's at with either case. The velocity loss is too great going to the 230's for the little bit of BC gain (.691 vs. .717).

 

[brentc]

Brent, I have been seeing Nosler brass (which I believe is made by Norma) in my area on a regular basis for the 300 WSM which is nice. Would you recommend the Nosler brass? Also at guns shows I always find once fired federal brass for fairly cheap as well.

I know that Nosler = Norma in several cartridges. I assume the same with the WSM, but I can't verify.

Based on what I've experienced recently with Nosler/Norma similarities in other cartridges, I would not hesitate to run Nosler. Especially when compared to Federal.

 

[JW74]

I know that Nosler = Norma in several cartridges. I assume the same with the WSM, but I can't verify.

Based on what I've experienced recently with Nosler/Norma similarities in other cartridges, I would not hesitate to run Nosler. Especially when compared to Federal.

Thanks Brent!

 

[JW74]

For the action I was considering using a new factory Rem 700 magnum action or it is worth the extra money to go with a custom 700 style action like a Surgeon or something similar? Are there any manufacturers that you guys would recommend over others?

Thanks!
Joe

 

[maninthemaze]

I had 7wsm built last year. Since it was my first rifle build and I just ordered a barreled action then finished the rest of the build myself I went through a bit of a learning curve. It too me several tries to get the right magazine box and I think my barrel is too short and to heavy for what I wanted. Maybe after this season I'll send it off for a rebarrel in the 28 Nosler.

Anyways, here's my build list and I have zero feed issues with the rifle. It cycles like a dream!!!

Stiller Tac 300 Long Action
Krieger #8 1-9 twist at 24"
Timney Calvin Elite trigger
PTG Oberndorf Bottom Metal
WSM specific magazine box
Manners T2A Stock
168gr Berger at 2950, as fast/accurate as I can get them.
It weighs 14 pounds with scope

 

[LongBomber]

I have a 300wsm in an HS htr, not a popular rifle but I have had great luck with the three that I have. My accuracy load with the 230 runs at 2665fps out of a 24" barrel, which isn't far off of where the manuals say a regular win mag should be. I run them at mag length, which gives me a huge jump, I don't remember the number off hand. I get very consistent drops and great accuracy from the 230, I would not hesitate to build one on a long action, you are not far behind a win mag, and unless Lapua brings out the win mag brass again you wont find better than the norma wsm brass. Now if Lapua would come out with wsm beass my visa may get a workout.

 

[JW74]

Thanks for the feedback! That sounds like a great rifle. How do you like the Manners T2 stock?

I had 7wsm built last year. Since it was my first rifle build and I just ordered a barreled action then finished the rest of the build myself I went through a bit of a learning curve. It too me several tries to get the right magazine box and I think my barrel is too short and to heavy for what I wanted. Maybe after this season I'll send it off for a rebarrel in the 28 Nosler.

Anyways, here's my build list and I have zero feed issues with the rifle. It cycles like a dream!!!

Stiller Tac 300 Long Action
Krieger #8 1-9 twist at 24"
Timney Calvin Elite trigger
PTG Oberndorf Bottom Metal
WSM specific magazine box
Manners T2A Stock
168gr Berger at 2950, as fast/accurate as I can get them.
It weighs 14 pounds with scope

 

[cj518]

This was my build spec for what you are wanting to do. The only thing is I did have feed issues with the HS high capacity clip with the 300 WSM.

Action: Surgeon 1086R
Stock: McMillian A-5 w/saddle cheek
Barrel: Bartlien 5R 26" in a M24/M40 fluted contour with 10" twisted
Bot Met: H-S Precision Gen 2 in 3 round stack feed clip (I like the low profile and easy carry)
Trigger: Jewell w/top safety
Break: CSR
Reamer: Custom PTG 0.342 neck, 0.199 FB, 1.5 degree leade
Scope: NF 5x25 ATACR 2nd fp w/NF rings

Ammo
Brass: Norma weight sorted and neck turned to 0.337 loaded round for consistency
Powder: IMR 7828 ssc at 64.2 grains (my middle and best node)
Bullet: Berger 215 hybrid COAL 3.295
Primer: CCI BR-2
MV: 2757 average FPS at 85 degrees at sea level
ES: 5
SD: 2

This rifle as is fully loaded comes in at 15.1 pounds.
I also shoot the 300 Win Mag and as said before the WSM gives up only about 50 fps and that is with the 210 Berger in the 300 WM for me. It will shoot with any other round in its class to 1500 yd. if I do my part.

 

[JW74]

CJ, thanks for the build specs on your rifle! That is very close to what I want to do with mine as well. How is the recoil at a weight of 15 lbs?

This was my build spec for what you are wanting to do. The only thing is I did have feed issues with the HS high capacity clip with the 300 WSM.

Action: Surgeon 1086R
Stock: McMillian A-5 w/saddle cheek
Barrel: Bartlien 5R 26" in a M24/M40 fluted contour with 10" twisted
Bot Met: H-S Precision Gen 2 in 3 round stack feed clip (I like the low profile and easy carry)
Trigger: Jewell w/top safety
Break: CSR
Reamer: Custom PTG 0.342 neck, 0.199 FB, 1.5 degree leade
Scope: NF 5x25 ATACR 2nd fp w/NF rings

Ammo
Brass: Norma weight sorted and neck turned to 0.337 loaded round for consistency
Powder: IMR 7828 ssc at 64.2 grains (my middle and best node)
Bullet: Berger 215 hybrid COAL 3.295
Primer: CCI BR-2
MV: 2757 average FPS at 85 degrees at sea level
ES: 5
SD: 2

This rifle as is fully loaded comes in at 15.1 pounds.
I also shoot the 300 Win Mag and as said before the WSM gives up only about 50 fps and that is with the 210 Berger in the 300 WM for me. It will shoot with any other round in its class to 1500 yd. if I do my part.