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300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? #7732228 05/12/13
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 98 Minnesota, USA B Buck1919 OP Campfire Greenhorn
OP Buck1919 Campfire Greenhorn B Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 98 Minnesota, USA	I am considering purchasing either a 300 WM or a 300 WSM. Which caliber offers the better accuracy? I reload for all of my rifles so factory ammo doesn't matter. I am a whitetail... mule deer or elk hunter. I will be purchasing a mid to lower priced rifle.

GB1

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? Buck1919 #7732241 05/12/13
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 18,454 OreGONE G GreatWaputi Campfire Ranger
GreatWaputi Campfire Ranger G Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 18,454 OreGONE	I've owned both and don't think one is any more inherently accurate than the other, but prefer a short action, lightweight rifle, so settled on a Kimber Montana .300 WSM.

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? Buck1919 #7732269 05/12/13
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,880 CA, USA US_Patriot Campfire Regular
US_Patriot Campfire Regular Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,880 CA, USA	Originally Posted by Buck1919 Which caliber offers the better accuracy? BTW, both of said cartridges have the same caliber. "Then join in hand, brave Americans all!.....By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall"

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? Buck1919 #7732271 05/12/13
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 24,851 USA T Tom264 Campfire Ranger
Tom264 Campfire Ranger T Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 24,851 USA	I like em both prefer the wsm. .

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? Tom264 #7732304 05/12/13
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 7,922 Georgia J JMR40 Campfire Outfitter
JMR40 Campfire Outfitter J Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 7,922 Georgia	I've had both. If I had either, and liked it I probably wouldn't trade for the other. But if buying new the WSM is the only way to go in my opinion. The WSM's advantages are subtle, but there are enough to sway my opinion. The WSM is proving to be more accurate. A new 1,0000 yard benchrest record was recently set with a 300 WSM. http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com...2-815-record-at-1000-yards-with-300-wsm/ The WSM gives you about 1%-2% less velocity with about 15% less powder and about 10% less recoil in rifles of equal weight, or about the same recoil if you want a lighter rifle. It is possible to build a much lighter rifle in 300 WSM, but other than Kimber, no other rifle maker is really taking advantage of this. A short action is about 1/4 lb lighter than a long action, but it is possible to take more than that off. In a nutshell you get 300 WM performance, in a 308 package with hot 30-06 recoil. Most people don't really want the truth. They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.

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Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? Tom264 #7732305 05/12/13
Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 740 Thornton, CO M MileHighShooter Campfire Regular
MileHighShooter Campfire Regular M Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 740 Thornton, CO	Flip a coin, buy the first rifle you find that you really want in either caliber.

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? MileHighShooter #7732335 05/12/13
Joined: May 2005 Posts: 711 Queensland, Australia M mlg Campfire Regular
mlg Campfire Regular M Joined: May 2005 Posts: 711 Queensland, Australia	If your going to use heavy for caliber projectiles for Elk the 300 win mag has to be the better option

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? mlg #7732432 05/12/13
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,965 Caldwell, Idaho I idahoguy101 Campfire Regular
idahoguy101 Campfire Regular I Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,965 Caldwell, Idaho	The 300WSM is available in a lighter rifle than the 300 Win Mag. The 300 Win Mag has a higher muzzle velocity. But I challenge anyone to view a dead Elk and say which of the two cartridges it was shot with.

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? idahoguy101 #7732450 05/12/13
Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,024 Battle Born B bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana
bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana B Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,024 Battle Born	All good points guys. My preference leans a bit towards the WSM. Only because I'm still pissed at winchester for dragging their feet for 4 years and not doing like Norma did with their 308 magnum. Rant over.. Originally Posted by raybass I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. Originally Posted by Pharmseller You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? bsa1917hunter #7732584 05/12/13
Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 96,041 Southern New Mexico E elkhunternm Campfire Oracle
elkhunternm Campfire Oracle E Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 96,041 Southern New Mexico	.300WM,although you will load your own,the Belted .300 will have ammo anywhere you go,in case you lose your's. Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard Ken

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Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? bsa1917hunter #7732592 05/12/13
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 11,739 mountains of central PA gunchamp Campfire Outfitter
gunchamp Campfire Outfitter Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 11,739 mountains of central PA	Either will work and work very well. I owned a couple 300 WM and they were good. I presently own a wsm and thats what I recommend if you dont have either one. He is my New Haven m70 in a high grade FW stock. Fitted and bedded. Its a fine shooter. One of my favorites. Last edited by gunchamp; 05/12/13.

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? gunchamp #7732909 05/12/13
Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,247 Wyoming kalbrecht Campfire Regular
kalbrecht Campfire Regular Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,247 Wyoming	I've owned both and in my experience the WSM is more accurate.

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? Buck1919 #7732936 05/12/13
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 24,638 Midwest SKane Campfire Ranger
SKane Campfire Ranger Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 24,638 Midwest	I didn't own my 300 mag long enough to hone in on a variety of loads. At 7.3# (with scope and rings) it was too much of a good thing for my tastes. Conversely, I have a WSM in a similarly configured rifle and it's a putty-tat. Ergo, the WSM is more accurate. WWP53D

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? Buck1919 #7732991 05/12/13
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 13,100 colorado 3 338rcm Campfire Outfitter
338rcm Campfire Outfitter 3 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 13,100 colorado	Originally Posted by Buck1919 I am considering purchasing either a 300 WM or a 300 WSM. Which caliber offers the better accuracy? I reload for all of my rifles so factory ammo doesn't matter. I am a whitetail... mule deer or elk hunter. I will be purchasing a mid to lower priced rifle. You might consider the 300 saum also. bought one here in the classifieds a few months ago, its quickly becoming my favorite 300 mag

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? SKane #7733002 05/12/13
Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,082 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna
Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,082 Banana Belt, Montana	I've owned and hunted with several of both and have yet to find any difference in accuracy. I have, however, found the claim of essentially equal velocity to be BS. This is because the .300 Winchester Magnum has more case capacity--and there is no magic "efficiency" in the .300 WSM case to make up for that. The .300 Winchester Magnum will top out at least 100 fps faster, using handloads with published data, and often more. In my 24" barreled Heym SR-21, Accurate Magpro will reach 3200 fps with 180-grain bullets, and most other approrpiate powder will get 3100-3150 with PUBLISHED data. Oh, and the same rifle averages less than .6" with 168-grain TSX's. Have seen that sort of accuracy with plenty of other factory .300 Winchesters as well, Whether the extra velocity makes any difference in the field is another question. My vote is that it doesn't, but I eventually went back to the .300 Winchester because ammo is available anywhere hunting ammunition can be purchased. “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? Mule Deer #7733017 05/12/13
Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,024 Battle Born B bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana
bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana B Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,024 Battle Born	Originally Posted by Mule Deer I've owned and hunted with several of both and have yet to find any difference in accuracy. I have, however, found thme claim of essentially equal velocity to be BS. This is because the .300 Winchester Magnum has more case capacity--ansd there is no magic "efficiency" in the .300 WSM case to make up for that. The .300 Winchester Magnum will top out at least 100 fps faster, using handloads with published data, and often more. In my 24" barreled Heym SR-21, Accurate Magpro will reach 3200 fps with 180-grain bullets, and most other approrpiate powder will get 3100-3150 with PUBLISHED data. Oh, and the same rifle averages less than .6" with 168-grain TSX's. Have seen that sort of accuracy with plenty of other factory .300 Winchesters as well, Whether the extra velocity makes any difference in the field is another question. My vote is that it doesn't, but I eventually went back to the .300 Winchester because ammo is available anywhere hunting ammunition can be purchased. Now chit's changed. All I see on the shelves is odd ball stuff like the wsm's and 280 rem. Originally Posted by raybass I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. Originally Posted by Pharmseller You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? gunchamp #7733023 05/12/13
Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,024 Battle Born B bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana
bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana B Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,024 Battle Born	Originally Posted by gunchamp Either will work and work very well. I owned a couple 300 WM and they were good. I presently own a wsm and thats what I recommend if you dont have either one. He is my New Haven m70 in a high grade FW stock. Fitted and bedded. Its a fine shooter. One of my favorites. That's a beautiful rifle. I have one almost just like it. Originally Posted by raybass I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. Originally Posted by Pharmseller You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? bsa1917hunter #7733026 05/12/13
Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,082 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna
Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,082 Banana Belt, Montana	bsa, Yep, it changed in the past six months! And it will change again in the next six months--though I doubt it's changed at all in Europe, northern Canada or southern Africa. “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? Mule Deer #7733039 05/12/13
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 19,179 Southern Arkansas J jwall Campfire Ranger
jwall Campfire Ranger J Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 19,179 Southern Arkansas	Originally Posted by Mule Deer I've owned and hunted with several of both and have yet to find any difference in accuracy. I have, however, found thme claim of essentially equal velocity to be BS. This is because the .300 Winchester Magnum has more case capacity--ansd there is no magic "efficiency" in the .300 WSM case to make up for that. The .300 Winchester Magnum will top out at least 100 fps faster, using handloads with published data, and often more. In my 24" barreled Heym SR-21, Accurate Magpro will reach 3200 fps with 180-grain bullets, and most other approrpiate powder will get 3100-3150 with PUBLISHED data. Oh, and the same rifle averages less than .6" with 168-grain TSX's. Have seen that sort of accuracy with plenty of other factory .300 Winchesters as well, Whether the extra velocity makes any difference in the field is another question. My vote is that it doesn't, but I eventually went back to the .300 Winchester because ammo is available anywhere hunting ammunition can be purchased. THNX MD I didn't see HOW the wsm could be significantly more accurate. Yep, you can't make up for displacement (larger powder capacity). It has been HARD to bite my lip. I can smell BS too. You have MORE experience with these than I, and your testimony has MORE weight. THNX again. jwall- * 3100 guy* A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!

Re: 300 WM vs. 300 WSM ? jwall #7733133 05/12/13
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 310 kansas W wtroger Campfire Member
wtroger Campfire Member W Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 310 kansas	Six of one half a dozen of another. Pick the one the floats your boat. Both are 30 cal and capable of fine accuracy. Some of the newer powders designed or the wsm cartridges really close any velocity differences between the two.

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