7MM WSM vs 6.5/300 WSM

[Mikecr]

It's easier
Decide on a bullet. It ALL begins with a bullet.
Decide minimal velocity you need to get the job done with that bullet.
Pick the case capacity/cartridge that provides this, and no more, around SAAMI max pressures.
Begin planning a gun build, including a reloading plan.

If you only need 3kfps, don't build a gun for 3.3kfps, as this is not free[nothing is].

 

[Treeslug]

I guess I was looking for the performance of a magnum cartridge but in a smaller more efficient case (as compared with those like the 26 Nosler or 6.5/300 Weatherby)

May I ask, "Why?" What are you trying to save, powder, weight, recoil, etc.? Just my curious little chipmunk mind wondering.

 

[BoatTail]

May I ask, "Why?" What are you trying to save, powder, weight, recoil, etc.? Just my curious little chipmunk mind wondering.

There are a few reasons. 1st I already have two 28 Nosler rifles both built on Remington actions and actions with 26" Proof research barrels. (One with a Sendero and the other with a Light Sendero contour barrel) They are topped with Leopold Vari X6, 4 by 24 Scopes. Both shoot 175 gr Hornady ELD-X or Berger 180 grain VLDs under 1/2". So using a lot of powder is not an issue. I will tell you that the muzzle breaks that I have on those are amazing so recoil is not an issue either.

The two WSMs were built mostly for fun, but also so I could carry a smaller lighter rifle for some smaller game but still have some reach.

Aside from the fun of building a new rifle and doing the load work, the other reason is I have developed neuropathy and find it difficult to walk long distances now with Is a heavy backpack and rifle. I thought these lighter rifles would help.

What I found though is these WSM's are not much lighter than my 28 Noslers as all of them are built on light components. The shorter length does feel good in the hand and seems well balanced

 

[grouse]

I'm a huge fan of the wsm's. While the 7mm wsm doesn't get much love it has more capacity than the 7 saum. I have a build in process. 7x270 wsm throated for 195 Berger's. Will be a few months before it's done.

 

[Treeslug]

There are a few reasons. 1st I already have two 28 Nosler rifles both built on Remington actions and actions with 26" Proof research barrels. (One with a Sendero and the other with a Light Sendero contour barrel) They are topped with Leopold Vari X6, 4 by 24 Scopes. Both shoot 175 gr Hornady ELD-X or Berger 180 grain VLDs under 1/2". So using a lot of powder is not an issue. I will tell you that the muzzle breaks that I have on those are amazing so recoil is not an issue either.

The two WSMs were built mostly for fun, but also so I could carry a smaller lighter rifle for some smaller game but still have some reach.

Aside from the fun of building a new rifle and doing the load work, the other reason is I have developed neuropathy and find it difficult to walk long distances now with Is a heavy backpack and rifle. I thought these lighter rifles would help.

What I found though is these WSM's are not much lighter than my 28 Noslers as all of them are built on light components. The shorter length does feel good in the hand and seems well balanced

I, too, have neuropathy in my feet. I also have a condition that causes my red blood corpuscles to turn to lead and settle in my butt.

When I was young and single, I had 21 long guns and seven handguns stolen from me. I am pretty certain it was my little heroin addict brother. Now I have 3 rifles, a 378 Bee, a 340 Bee and a 7mm mag, and one shotgun, oh, .54 cal. muzzleloader, and two 10mm and four 9mm and one 460 and one 500 S&W pistols. I just can't bring myself to buy guns these days. I don't even like 9mm. The deals were too hard to pass on. Actually, two of the 9mms are for my wife, one to carry and one hidden in the house. Now I am going to have to go out on a boat and sink it with all my guns. I can't believe I am putting this information out on the I-net. Anyway, sounds like you have it all figured out. Enjoy!

 

[BoatTail]

Actually I don't have it figured out. I still haven't decided what to do with this 6.5/300 WSM. It sounds like if I want to keep it in 6.5 WSM, the best thing to do would be to get a new barrel and reamer. Otherwise I should go with the 270 WSM barrel. The chamber is done but it needs a longer freebore. I'm a little torn with switching to the 270 WSM. Yes it'll be easier for my sons to feed it when I stop hunting but I was looking forward to the 6.5 WSM testing and load work.

Treeslug, I loved your lead story. I'll have to use that with my hunting buddies.

 

[Treeslug]

Actually I don't have it figured out. I still haven't decided what to do with this 6.5/300 WSM. It sounds like if I want to keep it in 6.5 WSM, the best thing to do would be to get a new barrel and reamer. Otherwise I should go with the 270 WSM barrel. The chamber is done but it needs a longer freebore. I'm a little torn with switching to the 270 WSM. Yes it'll be easier for my sons to feed it when I stop hunting but I was looking forward to the 6.5 WSM testing and load work.

Treeslug, I loved your lead story. I'll have to use that with my hunting buddies.

My dad used to say that about lazy folks he had to work with. Use away, I'm sure it would make him proud!

With the advent of the 6.5 "Needmoor," I can only remember back to when I bought a 6.5 Jap from K-Mart (Before JFK was shot), but the 6.5/300 WSM sounds like a fascinating round to play around with and hunt with as well.

I almost think you ALMOST have it figured out. I almost think it will be the 6.5/300 WSM. It sounds like you will enjoy that one the most. Be happy.

 

[BoatTail]

I was surprised with the performance of RL26 in my 7mm WSM. All my other reloading manuals show about 3050 fps but of course they don't list RL26. Attached is Alliant RL26 load data for the 7mm WSM.

 

[Brushey Bill]

I guess I was looking for the performance of a magnum cartridge but in a smaller more efficient case (as compared with those like the 26 Nosler or 6.5/300 Weatherby)

me too...

 

[tahoe1305]

I was surprised with the performance of RL26 in my 7mm WSM. All my other reloading manuals show about 3050 fps but of course they don't list RL26. Attached is Alliant RL26 load data for the 7mm WSM.

Gets even scarier / more fun if you have the throat to load to magazine length around 2.97" or so. WSM is legit. Pushing 160 class at 3200+fps gets the job done! RL26=magic dust.

 

[BoatTail]

Gets even scarier / more fun if you have the throat to load to magazine length around 2.97" or so. WSM is legit. Pushing 160 class at 3200+fps gets the job done! RL26=magic dust.

I think I'll swap out the 6.5 WSM barrel for my 270 barrel and throat as you suggest. The inside measurement of my magazine is 3.11.

 

[highdrum]

Send the reamer back, see if there is something they can do with it. Reamers can be set back/reground. This could fix the tight web area. You're freebore on the 6.5 is cut for 156s, great bullet. The choice of bullet in the 7mm is also up for debate? I'd go with something that in the 175-185gr area. In my experience bullets going too fast have poorer on game performance than something that's slowed down. I personally pick the heaviest/highest bc bullet I can that will shoot accurately in the 2900-2950fps area.