300 WSM
- Thread starter old #7
- Start date
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,258
- 646
My son got one last year for Christmas in a Winchester Extreme Weather SS. He (we) really like it. He got his second elk with it this year, his first animal with this cartridge/rifle. I haven't found the "perfect" load for it yet, but it seems to want to shoot. I had some 180 gr. Accubonds at 2800 fps that shot a 3/4" group at 100 yards for three shots. Worked fine on his cow.
It seems to be a well balanced cartridge with good ballistics. I really like it and don't think it's a bad choice to get one for hunting just about anything we have here. The recoil feels about like my 30-06 also. I couldn't really tell any difference between them. This is the first "new" Winchester in our house too and I'm liking that rifle an awful lot!!
Clear as mud, right?
David
It seems to be a well balanced cartridge with good ballistics. I really like it and don't think it's a bad choice to get one for hunting just about anything we have here. The recoil feels about like my 30-06 also. I couldn't really tell any difference between them. This is the first "new" Winchester in our house too and I'm liking that rifle an awful lot!!
Clear as mud, right?
David
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,417
- 6,285
A ballistic twin to the 300 WM. It is not at all fussy about what powder you use when hand loading, and it tends to shoot more accurately than you might imagine. Buy it.
Mountain Goat
Handloader
- Dec 14, 2010
- 386
- 12
I don't think there are any real negatives about the 300WSM. Sure, you can pick apart just about any cartridge, but this one is a real contender for being one of the best all-around cartridges available. What's not to like about a 165gr at 3100fps out of a 24" barreled short action rifle?
Like Dr Mike said, it is a very easy cartridge to load for and allows you to raise your standars a bit in regards to Spread and Standard Deviation. It's not uncommon to find a load that will deliver single-digit SD in the 300WSM.
Like Dr Mike said, it is a very easy cartridge to load for and allows you to raise your standars a bit in regards to Spread and Standard Deviation. It's not uncommon to find a load that will deliver single-digit SD in the 300WSM.
A
Anonymous
Guest
I've been hunting with one exclusively for 5 years now... excellent results.
Surprisingly accurate and ballistically a match with the .300WM. Mine shoots 180s at 2950fps into 3/4" and 150s to nearly 3400 with the same accuracy. Neither load is at max.
Despite much maligning about how ridiculous the cartridge was and how it would be doomed to the dustbin of cartridges within a year or two, its still out there in large numbers and is surprisingly common and chambered by almost everyone.
I'd wager a guess and say its right up there on the list of truly useful "all around" cartridges.
Surprisingly accurate and ballistically a match with the .300WM. Mine shoots 180s at 2950fps into 3/4" and 150s to nearly 3400 with the same accuracy. Neither load is at max.
Despite much maligning about how ridiculous the cartridge was and how it would be doomed to the dustbin of cartridges within a year or two, its still out there in large numbers and is surprisingly common and chambered by almost everyone.
I'd wager a guess and say its right up there on the list of truly useful "all around" cartridges.
Well heck, I guess I like the cartridge, I own two rifles so chambered. Both are Remington 700 limited edition rifles. I did not need either one, I own a 300 Wby Magnum.
The 300 WSM has proven to be a real performer. Besides the two I own, I have worked up loads for several others for friends. None have been what I consider inaccurate with any reasonable load I put in them. Loads that were outstanding in all of them have been 165 to 168 grain bullets using H 4350 for about 3100 fps or 180 grain bullets using H 4350 or IMR 4831 for near 3000 fps.
You may hear rumors of poor feeding with the fat WSM cartridge, but I have yet to have an issue with any I have shot.
Case life is good, they seem to last about forever.
Recoil is less than most 300 magnums, noticeably less than my 300 Weatherby.
Performance is about identical to a 300 Winchester Magnum, but in a shorter, lighter, rifle.
Did the shooting public need another 300 magnum? No, but these things are selling like hot cakes. The 300 WSM has become really popular, and for good reason. Winchester did a great job of marketing and about every other manufacturer has got on the band wagon. There are LOTS of choices of factory ammo out there.
The 300 WSM has proven to be a real performer. Besides the two I own, I have worked up loads for several others for friends. None have been what I consider inaccurate with any reasonable load I put in them. Loads that were outstanding in all of them have been 165 to 168 grain bullets using H 4350 for about 3100 fps or 180 grain bullets using H 4350 or IMR 4831 for near 3000 fps.
You may hear rumors of poor feeding with the fat WSM cartridge, but I have yet to have an issue with any I have shot.
Case life is good, they seem to last about forever.
Recoil is less than most 300 magnums, noticeably less than my 300 Weatherby.
Performance is about identical to a 300 Winchester Magnum, but in a shorter, lighter, rifle.
Did the shooting public need another 300 magnum? No, but these things are selling like hot cakes. The 300 WSM has become really popular, and for good reason. Winchester did a great job of marketing and about every other manufacturer has got on the band wagon. There are LOTS of choices of factory ammo out there.
A
Anonymous
Guest
The other thing I've noticed is that none of them I've encountered seem to be picky to load for...I've built some great loads with a variety of bullets and been pleased with the results in all of them.
I've been using RL-17 with great results.
I've been using RL-17 with great results.
I ditched my old 300 Win Mag for a 300WSM. It seems to be pretty capable so far. I haven't really done much with mine yet, but it seems like it'll match up pretty easily to the older 300 Win Mag pretty easily. During break in, cleaning between shots it still put all rounds into an 1.5" or so at 100. Seeing that has me excited as I continue working with the rifle.
I am going to concentrate on RL17/19 in this rifle. I am actually pretty excited to see what it is capable of. Scotty
I am going to concentrate on RL17/19 in this rifle. I am actually pretty excited to see what it is capable of. Scotty
wildgene
Handloader
- Jul 4, 2011
- 1,597
- 2
...near .300 WM performance w/ .30-06 recoil in a .308 sized rifle makes for a very efficient combination, add the .300 WSM's seem to be pretty accurate, you've got a very good hunting cartridge/ rifle...
lefty315
Handloader
- Sep 29, 2004
- 948
- 485
Pretty happy with my Kimber. I shoot a 200 grain AccuBond just a touch over 2800 fps. Extremely accurate!!! I have also shot some of the less expensive off the shelf stuff and it holds right at 1 inch all day long. What I like about it more than anything is you can get it in a fairly light weight package and shaving 1.5 lbs off my rifle made a big difference at the end of a long days hunt. I don't think there is much else you would ever need for big game unless you were going after really big critters in some other country.
- Thread starter
- #13
I am having a hard time deciding on this rifle. I usually dont' weigh all the options first.
I have a 30-06Ai that shoots great. The 300 WSM doesn't seem all that better of a choice but when were talking about buying a rifle what difference should that make. :roll:
I have a 30-06Ai that shoots great. The 300 WSM doesn't seem all that better of a choice but when were talking about buying a rifle what difference should that make. :roll:
A
Anonymous
Guest
The .30-06AI is pretty interesting and if I had a good one, I'm not sure the .300WSM would be that high on my want list...of course the same might be said of the standard -06 or .300WM.
But, starting from scratch I would (and did) go with the WSM. What limited data I've looked at shows the AI only gaining about 100fps over factory '06 loads....I can do way better than that with the WSM with a lighter action as well...and do it with factory loads.
Off the topic but....
It seems that much is made over rifle weight and some don't understand why another 1.5lbs is a big deal. I backpack hunt and much of the time the rifle is in my hands or slung over a shoulder. At the end of the hunt that 1.5 lbs may have been carried 10, 15, or even 20miles. No reason to tote a heavy gun when you can carry a light one that outperforms it. For a stand hunter, the extra weight presents no penalty and a lightweight presents no advantage, but on foot the equation changes considerably.
But, starting from scratch I would (and did) go with the WSM. What limited data I've looked at shows the AI only gaining about 100fps over factory '06 loads....I can do way better than that with the WSM with a lighter action as well...and do it with factory loads.
Off the topic but....
It seems that much is made over rifle weight and some don't understand why another 1.5lbs is a big deal. I backpack hunt and much of the time the rifle is in my hands or slung over a shoulder. At the end of the hunt that 1.5 lbs may have been carried 10, 15, or even 20miles. No reason to tote a heavy gun when you can carry a light one that outperforms it. For a stand hunter, the extra weight presents no penalty and a lightweight presents no advantage, but on foot the equation changes considerably.
old #7":2r5k8g0t said:
If I had a 30-06AI, and liked it, I can't see much reason for the WSM. Now, if I was starting from scratch, from nothing, well, the WSM makes more sense then. I like the 30-06 AI. Looks pretty good on paper and sure it runs pretty close to the WSM for practical hunting. But who is really practical around here? Scotty
- Thread starter
- #17
My 280ai has me covered in the hunting department but this would look so nice in my collection. The serial number even matches my 280ai. AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!! I think I am going to pass on it. It's a real beauty of a rifle though.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=264828959
I have been "needing" a 338 lapua for long range target shooting and Savage seems to have my fix with the 110ba. But then who knows what will happen.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=264828959
I have been "needing" a 338 lapua for long range target shooting and Savage seems to have my fix with the 110ba. But then who knows what will happen.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,417
- 6,285
For sure, that is a lovely stick of wood on that rifle.
