On average and in equal barrel length's, the 300 WSM will run about 100 fps behind the 300 WM and about 175 fps ahead of the 30-06.
The 300 WSM is really at its best in a lightweight rifle in an action designed around it. Otherwise, the 300 WM is a smarter choice as it will feed more easily in a variety of standard actions and will breathe easy if throttled back to 300 WSM top speeds.
In rifles of equal weight and size I'd always choose the 300 WM. In a lightweight the 300 WSM gets my vote.
I found it to come in a nice lightweight rifle with plenty of power.
I bought one for my wife. It is a mod 70 ultimate shadow stainless camo. She loves shooting it. Not too heavy or too much recoil. And I put a camo scope on it too which she likes.
I have one in a Win 70 SS Classic and love it. Not heavy, very accurate( although I had to have a trigger job done as the one from the factory was lousy!)
Shoots 165gr Bal Tips at MOA with reloader 22 and 180 grainers are at an inch. Comes up quickly and points well. I have a Leupold VXIII 4.5X14X40 on there. I'm now wroking on reloading some Barnes TSX's to see what they're capable of. If the 180's do what they do for some friends of mine, I've found my one round for all load. This set up would be great for plains game, mountain game and a griz is no match for it either should I encounter one on the way up a mountain.
Don't overlook the 300 Win Mag if you have a chance at one. It still is the quintessential .300 out there! I bought the .300 WSM becuase the deal was too good to pass up at $525 NIB. Otherwise I was leaning toward having a custom .300 Win Mag built.
Good luck and shoot straight!
Despite all the media hype that was present when the shorts were introduced, I think Brad has hit the nail squarely. They operate at a higher pressure than their big brother counterparts just to get close to the same velocity. Bump the pressure up on a standard 300WM and the WSM falls behind. No magic in case shape or ballistics.Rick.
