Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Tikka T3x lite stainless LH 300 WM vs 300 WSM

I've been infected by the irrational itch for a new rifle. I'm looking for something relatively lite weight, weather resistant, accurate, reliable and resonantly priced. It would be used for hunting things like Moose, Elk and possibly even large bears someday. I'm used to shooting things like the 450 marlin and slug guns so recoil isn't a huge concern but its also nice not to get annihilated every time I pull the trigger. That being said I'm really liking the Tikka T3x lite stainless at the moment. I'm also thinking about putting a limbsaver recoil pad on the stock to help tame the felt recoil. I was originally thinking of getting one chambered in 300 WSM but I've been able to find one chambered in 300 Win mag for about $150 less than I can find in 300 WSM. I know with Tikka there's only one action length so most of the usual advantages of the WSM aren't a factor other than I find the WSM interesting. I reload my own ammunition so availability also isn't a huge factor ether. What's your thoughts on a Tikka T3x chambered in 300 WM vs WSM?
Also is there another LEFT HAND rifle that would be in the same weight and price range of the Tikka that I should conciser?

I reload too but I would still go with the 300 WM because it is a lot more popular. I've always liked the idea of being able to find easily available factory ammo. Brass for the 300 WM is easier to find as well.

I had a LH 300 WM. Only bought it cause it was a great deal at the time on Gunbroker. Put it in a magnum fill Mcmillan. Good shooting gun but did rattle the teeth a bit. It wasn't anything I needed anyhow, so sold it, and kept the stock for another Tikka.

It fed better than I expected. Magazine somewhat limited the OAL, but I ran 175 LRXs in it just fine.

300win. Limbsaver is a must, but if it still barks too much for you, send it to Long Rifles, Inc. for a brake.

I have a T3 Lite in .300WSM, but with a blued barrel. I am happy with it so far, but I have put a Limbsaver on it, and need to shoot it a little more often. I say go with the one you want the most.

You cant go wrong with a Tikka T3x and these two cartridges are excellent, I have owned more than a few of both, this is a tough choice for Me, I love both these cartridges but if I had to choose one over the other I'd go .300 Win as brass is a little cheaper and easier to come by.....Good luck ...Hb

I've owned both 300 WM and 300 WSM. Both are more gun than I'll ever need and I let them all go. But I liked the 300 WSM a LOT better for a lot of reasons. The WSM gives up about 50 fps at most to the WM version when using 24" barrels. You really need 26" to match published numbers for the 300 WM. In fact the 300 WSM does pretty well with barrels as short as 22". But the slightly slower MV combined with 10-15 gr less powder burned results in noticeably less recoil from the WSM. No game animal will notice the 50 fps, but your shoulder will. Especially in a light rifle like the Tikka.

I cant remember the last time I was in a store that sold 300 WM that didn't also carry 300 WSM.

But $150 is $150. At the same price it would be an easy decision.

WSM. Essentially the same ballistics with less powder burned, and as a result the WSM kicks and barks like a hot 30-06. The 300 win mag kicks and barks like a 300 win mag. Velocity with most factory loads, given the same barrel length, is so close as to be practically identical. This one to me is a very easy choice.

I lean 300WSM myself, though ballistics are near the same.

I don't shoot at big game far enough to tell the difference, so I would likely go 30-06 for cheap readily available ammo. 400 yards is my absolute max and I like to be inside of 300 if at all possible.

In that platform, action length and weight etc are the same. I’d get the 300 Win and put the $150 toward better glass.

I have the 300 wsm I shot it for several years with just a limb saver but the recoil seemed to bother me more each year. I put a brake on it. I carry my tikka 308 more as it is more pleasant to shoot. Since you handload, with the tikka action you can get a bit better performance out of the wsm changing mags and bolt stops allows you to shoot some longer bullets not seated too deep.