Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 300wsm or 300RUM for out west

I constantly overthink things. I'm lucky enough to have a family member in MT that owns a cabin there, and plan on making annual/semiannual trips out for elk and mule deer. So, thoughts shifted to a light(er) rifle for packing around out there. I recently picked up a stainless tikka T3 lite 300wsm, in an MPI stock. It's light, and I worked up a load with 180gr accubonds at just under 3000fps. It shoots 1/2-3/4 inch at 100. Haven't had the chance to test it farther.
I also have a 700 CDL currently bedded in a B&C carbelite Classic stock. It's heavy, but accurate 3/4-1" at 100 with 200gr accubonds a little under 3100fps. I considered picking up a mcmillan for it, or possibly just buying a Christensen arms in 300RUM(I can get a really great deal on them thru a friend). I have plenty of components to reload either. Both will be wearing vx3 4.5-14x40 scopes.

So, is there any good reason to pursue the lighter 300RUM, or should I just let well enough alone and pack the 300wsm I already have. Is the slight ballistic advantage of the 300RUM worth it? I don't plan on shooting at live animals over 600yds.

Use the .300 wsm.

With the added magazine room of the tikka I would have no use for the RUM at all. The only shortcoming I could see for the 300wsm would be mag room for high bc bullets. The tikka doesn't have that issue. Dragging around that heavy rifle pounding myself isn't really a plus any way you slice it.

W

Only if you've a grudge against your shoulder.

How many rounds can you tolerate from the RUM at a range session?

I'd go 300 WSM every day of the week. I recently had to choose between the WSM and Win Mag. It was an easy choice as I hate shooting the Win Mag (the older you get the less you like beating the crud out of your body)

I love the 300WSM, and would choose that for your scenario without hesitation.

"So is there any good reason to pursue the lighter 300 RUM?"
I want it has always been good enough for me. I stopped deluding myself that I needed any more guns along time ago.
Seriously will the RUM do anything that you can't do with the WSM? I doubt it, but I want it alway's trumps need.

The WSM was designed with light rifles in mind. Compared to a 300 WM you'll give up about 50 fps with bullets 180 gr or less. But a 7.5 lb 300 WSM will have less recoil than an 8 lb 300 WM.

I've never fired a 300 RUM, but that much recoil even from a 9 lb rifle has to be brutal.

I have a 7mm ultra mag. It's not that bad with 150 grain bullets.

None would be bad with a good brake.

You kinda answered your own question.

The WSM is a hammer. Can't fathom needing more. I've used it and the 308 Win on nearly equal amounts of elk here in MT (more with the 308). They all died.

The RUM, as Skane implied, is for those with a high level of self loathing.

Thanks fellas, kinda what I was thinking to begin with. Honestly, the recoil doesn't really bother me, but I can put the money towards other stuff for the trips instead of rifle upgrades.

Sell a few guns, put the money into glass. Thank me later

I owned a M70 Classic in 300 RUM for 24 hours and one box of ammo.

I have had 2 .300 Rums with Douglas barrels .. The only benefit of having one is to have a longer than normal barrel.. Mine had 28.5 " barrels.. They shot super fast, but not enough in a 26" to merit having one.. I gave my .300 WSM to my name sake.. I still have a couple old .300 WM.. Stick with the WSM, or a WM.. The ULtra is cool if you want a super long range rig with a long barrel... But for elk hunting you have a fine rifle.. Check its drop to 500 yards and hunt your heart out.. I would guess you won't have to fool with turrets, sight in 3" high and you can kill an elk at 500. I haven't shot an elk at long range since I quit working 17 years ago.. Then, elk meat was important.. Now it is a treat.. If I get one fine, if not fine.. Enjoy your hunt..

I'm going to be that smart-a** that tells you to get a 30-06. I've heard many eastern hunters over the years talk about needing whatever the popular shoulder cannon of the day is for western elk. Most of them get a nasty flinch from zeroing the thing and either miss or injure the elk.

I'm a fair to decent shot, and I can hold tight groups with magnums, but I shoot a 308, 30-06, or 270 BETTER and with less effort, and the elk are just as dead.

Of the two you mentioned, I'd pick the WSM

Keep the Tikka 300WSM you already have. I'll also agree with MTDan, the 30-06 is all you really need. That's what I would have bought in the first place, considering the action length of the Tikka.... The 300RUM only guarantees a sore shoulder at the end of the day and if you are only shooting out to 600 yards, it doesn't offer much of an improvement over the WSM.

I've got 3 30-06 rifles. None of them are light, or are not of the configuration that makes them an option out west. I shoot the Tikka as good or better than any of the rifles I own. I guess the post wasn't so much about needing a Magnum, as opposed to the ones I already have filling the niche I inquired about. So, 300wsm n rock on. Next conundrum is 180gr accubond, or 165gr TSX 😆

Go with whichever bullet shoots the best at the ranges you are comfortable shooting. I used both 165's and 180's in mine. It's a great cartridge and capable of some damn fine accuracy. To be honest, the last muley I shot with my 300WSM was at 600 yards on the nose. I'm not real picky about what bullet I use, as long as it's accurate and does the job well. The bullet I used was a plain ol 165gr. Hornady BTSP interlock. I also took a small bull with the 180gr. Nosler partition. The bull managed to catch that bullet, but he did a nose dive nonetheless... I'm sure your Tikka is very accurate and quite capable of the range you specified in your OP, as long as you are.

An archer freind asked me if I was starting from scratch what rifle would buy for elk and deer hunting in the mountains, I told him a Tikka 300 WSM with another Conquest 3-9x40 since he liked the scope.

The WSM is a nice longer range 400-600 yard elk gun with enough practice and isn't a huge pain to carry. There just isn't a better all around Western hunting setup than that rifle with a good scope and a comfortable lightweight sling.

If I thought it was likely I'd need to reach out to over 500 it would make sense to have a ranging reticle Z600 or a scope I could dial maybe CDS. I'm a big fan of the tipped TSX in the weight your rifle shoots best.