300WSM or 300 mag ?

[psegriz]

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

 

[Nuclear Worker]

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.

Not sure what bullets I'm going to use. The only one I reload for is my 6.5x284. Quite new to the reloading and long range game. Will probably be factory ammunition to start. I have shot an Elk at 525 with a 300WSM. Was just curious if the 300wm was maybe better as I sold my 300WSM to help pay for my sheep hunt 6.5x284.

 

[FEENIX]

Not sure what bullets I'm going to use. The only one I reload for is my 6.5x284. Quite new to the reloading and long range game. Will probably be factory ammunition to start. I have shot an Elk at 525 with a 300WSM. Was just curious if the 300wm was maybe better as I sold my 300WSM to help pay for my sheep hunt 6.5x284.

As previously noted, I have both and have their fair share of LR harvests. Both are 1KY rifles when loaded accordingly. Don't complicate it unnecessarily; at your range parameter, take your pick and have fun with it.

 

[Nuclear Worker]

Thanks as usual this opened a can of worms. Almost more confused than before I asked.

 

[Truc]

That 6.5/284 is no slouch, put a 140 LRAB and using 2900fps it's a solid 500 yd round over 2200fps and 1500lbs and will penetrate, check the SD

 

[Dentite]

I think if the 300 WSM was the first to come out, then the 300 Win Mag came out, the 300 WSM would be the more popular one. Because with a shorter action, a shorter barrel, less powder and less recoil, it nips at the heels of the Win Mag with bullets 180 grain or less. Bit the beauty is we have choices.

Here's what I would say to help you make your decision.

Do you reload? If no, get the Win Mag.

Do you plan on using bullets in the 200 grain class? If yes, get the Win Mag.

Does action and barrel length matter to you? If you want the shortest possible for good performance, get the WSM.

If you want every last bit of velocity possible, get the Win Mag.

If efficiency matters to you, ie getting the same result with less powder, less recoil, less barrel length, less action length, get the WSM.

If a belt on your case bothers you, get the WSM.

Hope that helps.

 

[CBH Australia]

I think if the 300 WSM was the first to come out, then the 300 Win Mag came out, the 300 WSM would be the more popular one. Because with a shorter action, a shorter barrel, less powder and less recoil, it nips at the heels of the Win Mag with bullets 180 grain or less. Bit the beauty is we have choices.

Here's what I would say to help you make your decision.

Do you reload? If no, get the Win Mag.

Do you plan on using bullets in the 200 grain class? If yes, get the Win Mag.

Does action and barrel length matter to you? If you want the shortest possible for good performance, get the WSM.

If you want every last bit of velocity possible, get the Win Mag.

If efficiency matters to you, ie getting the same result with less powder, less recoil, less barrel length, less action length, get the WSM.

If a belt on your case bothers you, get the WSM.

Hope that helps.

Well said,

If you are still undecided, get the .300wm.

 

[tooth doc]

Thanks as usual this opened a can of worms. Almost more confused than before I asked.

there are no wrong choices here.

 

[5gauss]

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?

I would feel better with bigger..more mass/energy. Think .22rimfire vs 50BMG......

 

[BigNate]

Honestly, you could just use your sheep rifle most of the time. You may limit your shots a little in certain situations but rarely.

 

[ndking1126]

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

But you sure like to post this statement every time someone does!!

 

[ndking1126]

I am still here just taking in all the comments and trying to make decision.

Honestly, don't overthink it. Ballistically they are almost identical and inside 600 both have more than enough firepower. You could just about flip a coin to decide.

300WM - better ammo availability, long action and probably longer barrel.
300WSM - less recoil, shorter action and probably shorter barrel so lighter and better handling.

 

[ARlife4me]

I have both and if I had to give up one of them the WSM would have to go. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just another 30 cal that came along when there was really no void in the 30 cal
market. And that goes for all my WSMs, what ever the caliber my belted version does it better.
:IE 6mm MachIV, 257wby, 264wm, 270wby, 7RemMag and of course the 300wm.

Dean

The wsm is more efficient up too 26", but beyond that the wm has more volume too burn to keep (not necessarily pressure) gas volume up. I wish that I'd bought some 300wsm, 270wsm or even 300rcm before all the covid crap happened! Too me seeing anything shorter that a 24" barrel on any short mag and LA mags are such a waste of gun. Just my thoughts!

 

[FEENIX]

But you sure like to post this statement every time someone does!!

Guilty! But it's the truth.