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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 98
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 98 |
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.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,485 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,485 Likes: 2 |
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.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,880
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,880 |
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"
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,851 |
I like em both prefer the wsm.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,968 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,968 Likes: 5 |
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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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 740
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 740 |
Flip a coin, buy the first rifle you find that you really want in either caliber.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 711
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 711 |
If your going to use heavy for caliber projectiles for Elk the 300 win mag has to be the better option
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,965
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,965 |
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.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,407 Likes: 51
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,407 Likes: 51 |
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..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,170 Likes: 5
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,170 Likes: 5 |
.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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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,188 Likes: 61 |
Last edited by gunchamp; 05/12/13.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,247
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,247 |
I've owned both and in my experience the WSM is more accurate.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,672 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,672 Likes: 6 |
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
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141 |
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
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,264 Likes: 42
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,264 Likes: 42 |
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
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,407 Likes: 51
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,407 Likes: 51 |
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.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,407 Likes: 51
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,407 Likes: 51 |
That's a beautiful rifle. I have one almost just like it.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,264 Likes: 42
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,264 Likes: 42 |
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
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
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 !!
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 310
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 310 |
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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