300 wsm vs prc build help

[CCass]

First, full transparency, I'm a 300 WSM supporter. That being said, I'd echo what was said by @quandary above. I'm running a similar setup (22" barrel with a TBAC Ultra 7). Currently running 182 Hammer Hunters at 2950. Mine is built on a Terminus Apollo Lt, love the action, but if you want the ability to run 3.125 COAL then check out the Bat Vesper.

 

[tim1457]

Do you reload? Lapua just started making WSM brass recently, adg makes great brass for it as well. PRC really likes the 26 inch barrels so if you want a 20, WSM doesnt lose out on nearly as much. In a 20 inch barrel I wouldn't be surprised if the WSM actually outperforms the PRC, if not it would be really close since faster powders are used in it like 4831, varget, etc. The PRC will probably want the slower burners like H1000 and the like, of which you will never get a full burn in such a short barrel. 22 inch is a bit better but wanting a short rifle you'd be best off with the WSM or even a 30-06 which would be slower than a PRC but not by much, plus great factory ammo support.

If it were me, I'd choose the WSM. But 20" barrel would just about rule out anything magnum outside of a WSM or similar efficient magnums IMO

PS: if you go WSM, get a long action, not a short action. Then you can seat long bullets out further and still eject loaded rounds if you go on a hunt and don't see anything. Then if down the road you decide you didn't like the WSM you can easily just swap barrels for a PRC, Nosler, win mag, etc etc. Swamplord has some pics you can find of long throated WSM's with I think berger 215's or something in that range. And get a 9 or 10 twist if you want to reload for the heavies like 212 Barnes bore rider (which doesn't need a custom throat) or 215 bergers (which would prefer a long throat) and stick with a 10 twist if you want to shoot 150's through 190's regularly. I wouldn't bother with anything slower than 10 personally

Please forgive me for asking a question on someone else's post,but I'm looking at building a .300WSM using a long action mainly to shoot the Barnes LRX Bore Rider. My question, which magazine are you using to feed the 300WSM in the long action? Thanks and forgive my interruption, just not finding much info on this.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I would choose the 300WSM. And quite honestly I would get a factory Tikka T3x stainless lite or Roughtech. You can have the barrel cut down to 20" and buy a couple of aftermarket magazines and a long action bolt stop and be done.

FWIW, I'm getting 2900fps in my factory 24" Tikka with Berger 208 LRHT bullets.

 

[wvbearhunter]

Have you considered 35 whelan?

 

[texas]

I'm looking at building

 

[texas]

I'm looking at building a 300 Super WSM

 

[ka30270]

Please forgive me for asking a question on someone else's post,but I'm looking at building a .300WSM using a long action mainly to shoot the Barnes LRX Bore Rider. My question, which magazine are you using to feed the 300WSM in the long action? Thanks and forgive my interruption, just not finding much info on this.

For a Tikka build Hells Canyon Armory makes a nice mag or you could just run the Tikka long action factory mag.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Either of the cartridges you listed will do what you want (be effective at 600 yards and in) even with a 20" barrel. If using a suppressor, 20-21" is the max I would go.

As for the comments about the 300WSM being equal in performance to the PRC in a short barrel, that just doesn't happen. The PRC will be about 100-150 fps faster than the WSM regardless of barrel length. That being said, at your distances (600 and in) 100-150 fps won't make that much difference.
That being said, to get the most out of the WSM, you will need to load long, especially with monos. So building on a long action just makes sense. In that case, if getting the extra 100-150 fps matters, then roll with the PRC.
Both have excellent brass and bullets available for them.

As far as components for you build, I am in the camp with many others that have posted and have started building off of Tikka actions. The dimensions are consistent enough that you can get shouldered prefits for them, the triggers are great as-is, and quite a few stock makers are making stocks for them now, so there are lots of choices there. The biggest decisions you have when building off of a Tikka is whether you want to use short lead-time components (Preferred/McGowen barrel, Stocky's/Pure Precision/MDT stocks) or long lead-time components (Manners/McMillan stocks, Bartlein/Rock Hill/Krieger/ACE barrel).

 

[quandary]

Have you considered 35 whelan?

I am currently having a 35 Whelen built for fun. Do you think that choice might be a little iffy for the OP's 600+ yard flexibility?

 

[Beluebow]

Do the 300wsm 91/2 twist (if you can find one) and do it on a long action. At the end of the day what is one more inch when cycling the bolt? Later on, if you decide to do a bigger boomer you will have the long action to work with.

 

[choprzrul]

Buy a Tikka and send it to WTO to get their Switch Lug installed. Have them fit it with a 270 WSM barrel and a 325 WSM barrel so you can easily switch between the two for big or small game. The .323 198gr Hammer Hunter going 3000 fps should do just fine for you on large game.

 

[Mram10us]

I shoot a 300 WSM and 308/26-Nosler, a bit longer than a 30 Nosler. The 30 PRC is between. I shoot lots of other 30 cal but not important.

In my limited experience and not having lived in Alaska or taken moose or brown bear just other smaller critters...

Since both can do the job which is "better" is so difficult.

Ammo availability? PRC vs WSM. What will be on the shelf there. If you plan on reloading there, availability is not so much an issue. Just your initial supply. Last time I was at the GS and sporting goods stores WSM had more options on the shelf.

Other than that, 20" or 22". If you really want 20" go WSM, of you are OK with 22" go PRC.

Probably no help at all but you know.

sorry for the derail. what is a 308-26 nosler? is it different from the 30-28 nosler?

 

[Mram10us]

Do the 300wsm 91/2 twist (if you can find one) and do it on a long action. At the end of the day what is one more inch when cycling the bolt? Later on, if you decide to do a bigger boomer you will have the long action to work with.

why 9.5 twist and not 10?

 

[Leaf Litter]

WSM, unless you're regularly shooting past 1,000 yards at game.