Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 300WSM

Has the 300WSM become popular enough that ammunition is expected to be found most places? In other words, is this a travel rifle chambering "guranteed" to find ammunition on the shelf if your ammunition goes missing?

David

Sounds like you better take your 30-06...

David

And put a box of WSM in different bags so at least some makes the trip.

Jerry

Hmmm

This is starting to sound like a "no".

David

Just for clarity. I would have no idea about 300 WSM am availability because I don't have one therefore I don't look for the ammo.

I was making a suggestion for alternatives.
Good luck.

Jerry

Jerry,

I don't have one either. I have a few big game rifles that I am very happy with, the closest to a standard chambering is my 6.5 CM. I've done some nice travel hunts in the past, mostly driven (as opposed to flying), never had a problem.

In the next few years, if the creek don't rise.... , these kids will be out of school and I might be able to do a little more travel hunt wise. My oddball chamberings will be making the trip, but it occurred to me a back-up rifle in something common makes a lot of sense. 30-06 seemed like the first choice, but I have a wandering eye.

I might want to shoot a Nilgai at some point,,,

David

I wouldn't say there's any guarantee of finding 300 WSM on the shelves but a lot of that probably depends on location. I've had a 300 WSM since 2004 which pretty much sees nothing but handloads. I see factory ammo around but the availability is nowhere near that of the old standbys of 30-06, 270, 243, etc.

I wouldn't count on finding ammo out there at all.

I bought a 300 wsm rifle hoping it wouldn't be a big issue to find ammo. I'm realize it's way more hassle than I want to deal with. Maybe you can find some ammo but when you do will it be worth the premium some places put on it. When I found some ammo it wasn't worth the price since I just wanted to sight the rifle in. I did find some ammo for a decent price online but it was a sale on top of a discount. I doubt I'd see that regular. In fact most of the ammo I found on line was more expensive than similar calibers and shipping sent it way over the top. Especially when have the convenience of finding the other calibers locally on a more regular basis.

I'd rather do 300 wm, 30-06, or 308. In fact the only reason I still own the 300 wsm rifle is because I haven't decided what to get next.

no problem finding WSM ammo in these parts....many farm supply stores got it on the shelf.....

308 Win is the go for all round availability here, as far as big game cartridges go.

Not exactly an answer to your question, but if you fly Delta in the U.S. your ammo can go in your gun case, unless that policy has changed since November. I think I checked a few other domestic carriers and same same. I've never flown a gun overseas so can't help you there... pretty sure most of Africa they have to be separated though.

Yup, see it everywhere around here. WalMart carries it regularly too.

Plenty of powder, bullets and primers around here.

You make some good points. I don't know the countless number of $60.00/box of 300 WSM ammo my buddy has burned up trying to get his EW to shoot, but it's been many (he's burned up 10 boxes at least). It's times like that, that I'm thankful I load my own. I'd hate to discourage anyone from buying a good rifle. I've had 2 excellent 300 wsm rifles and love the cartridge, just don't like some of the quirks that go along with rifle/cartridge combination. I think a lot of us have tried them, and then went back to the old tried and trusted 30-06 after we've had our fill...

MidwayUSA shows over a dozen 300 WSM loadings for under $40/box. I've not shot a 300 WSM yet, but my 7mm WSM worked well with the Federal Fusion loads in that category - they were very accurate, and the brass is pretty good.


That is an improvement!


It's tough to beat the 30-06, but the 300 WSM is good too and seems to have a large following. Plus you can get a little bit lighter and handier rifle...

At one time it was questionable. But in recent years I've not seen any store that carried 300 WM that didn't carry 300WSM also. It may be a regional thing. But 308, and especially 30-06 are going to always be easier to find, cheaper and with more options. I don't think there is any danger of the round becoming obsolete. It is too popular for that. But since I hand load it is all pretty much even for me.

I have a 300 WSM. I really don't need it, I find my 308 does at least 95% of what I need a rifle to do. But I just like that rifle and have come to respect the round.

The problem is that very few rifles are being made to best utilize the rounds advantages. Depending on bullet weight you can get 200-400 fps more speed than 30-06 and come within 50-100 fps of 300WM. But with recoil that almost exactly splits the difference. You can put together a 7-7.5 lb 300 WSM that won't beat you up too bad. A 300 WM much under 8.5 lbs is starting to get my attention when I pull the trigger.

But no one other than Kimber is building 300WSM's any lighter than a typical 300WM. And you have to ask,do I really need the extra 200-400 fps?

There are plenty of places here in Colorado that stock 300 WSM. Sportsman's Warehouse has several brands and bullets weights on the shelf as well as Wal Mart.

I am just back from Craig Colorado scouting my elk tag area and all the stores I visited there have tons of 300 WSM on the shelf.

I purchased an FN PBR back in 05 from CDNN as a barreled action in 300 WSM and stocked it with a McMillan Model 70 Super Grade style. Rifle shoots like a dream and I have fired many rounds through it. I see not problems with the cartridge.

I don't see any problems finding the ammo anywhere you choose to hunt.

When I travel around the country, I see it quite often..

Seems to be plenty of 300 WSM around.


If you want a slam dunk getting ammo anywhere get a 30/06.