M70 Featherweight 300WSM

[russ808]

Scotty,
That is one nice thunder stick. I like your choice of the stubby rocket caliber
Russ

 

[Guy Miner]

Something I've discovered that I really like about the .300 WSM, is that I like the .30-06 and always have. Sometimes though, in years past, I found myself pushing it pretty hard. The .300 WSM takes a little more powder, and generates a little more velocity with the same bullet weights - easily. From what I've seen, the doggone things are usually accurate as well.

For instance I see Nosler ammo at:

.30-06, 180 @ 2750 fps

.300 WSM 180 @ 2900 fps

Not a huge difference, but it's there. Sort of a "if you want a little more" type of cartridge as I see it. I've had at one point or another, a mess of different .30 cal rifles:

.30-30
.308 Win
.30-06
.300 WSM
.300 Win mag
.300 Rem Ultra Mag

All of them worked quite well. No big surprises, just good solid performance. The various magnums do what they've always done - shove the same bullet a little faster, or let a fellow run a heavier bullet at reasonable velocity. For me it's hard to beat the .30's as general purpose hunting rifles. Other calibers are great too - but I keep coming back to the .30's. Proven to be big enough for anything in North America, yet for the most part, reasonable to shoot. The big magnums kind of stretch that "reasonable" bit...

Scotty - I can't remember how much experience you've had with the .300 WSM - but it's really a peach of a cartridge to load and shoot. Steven (Roysclockgun) has been hinting that I really ought to take my WSM to Wyoming next fall and blood it there... Might make one heck of a prairie dog gun at that... :grin:

Sorry for the rambling. Not much sleep last night after a fun shift at work, and now on coffee, my mind is wandering. Visions of rifles, cartridges and time afield... But no - back to the bathroom remodel!

Later, Guy

 

[SJB358]

Guy, I have 0 experience with the 300WSM Guy. I do have the 270 and 7WSM's though. I love them a bunch. I do like 30 Cale as well. I recently sold my big Ruger 300WM. My fellow buddy proceeded to take it to Wyoming with my loads of 75gr RL22 and 180gr PTs. He killed antelope and deer pretty handily with it.

I think this 300WSM will be just about perfect with a 180 AB if it shoots well. I do have some 168 ETs and 200gr PTs as well. The Featherweight is a pretty portable rifle as well and since I like the lighter rifles while hiking it'll be much appreciated it doesn't have a bull barrel or five pound stock!

Looking forward to getting the rifle all set up and broken in. I imagine it will be hanging around awhile if it shoots. It's my first SC made M70 as well and I have to say, the trigger feels excellent! Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

I want to build something different on my 700 Long Action like a 6.5-06AI. But my love of 30 cals has me thinking about something like the 30-06AI. Thanks for that idea Scotty! :x

 

[SJB358]

First off. Your welcome!

2nd, that 30-06 AI would be an awesome rig for elk buddy. Seems like pretty much all the data I've seen mirrors the WSM. You'll have cheap and easily attained cases and your M700 should be sweet with a lightweight stock and a slick custom barrel on it. No muzzle brakes to worry about and it should sling 180's with authority. Can you tell it has crossed my mind some? Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

30-06AI with 150s for deer and 180s for elk??? Gonna think real hard about this one.

 

[SJB358]

I think you've got a great recipe there. I would imagine that would make it a pretty versatile set up too. Man, now go and box up that rifle and send it off to Pac Nor! Should give us plenty of time through the Summer to get it dialed in for the Fall. Scotty

 

[Guy Miner]

I think it was an account I read about the .30-06AI and 200's on mule deer that got me real interested in the .300 WSM - which is very similar in performance.

With either, I'd seriously consider 180's for everything. Maybe stouter 180's for elk. Maybe. One load, one point of impact, one trajectory to memorize/deal with.

Mostly I've been messing with 200 & 210 grain bullets for mine. Looking for the best performance out at longish ranges. Reduced wind drift, good retained velocity. If I can get some 180 class bullets to shoot as well as the heavier ones though, I might head in that direction.

Guy

 

[SJB358]

Seems like the Winchester has a long mag box so I might be able to load them suckers out enough to get some good steam on them. Although, I don't think I'd give up anything with the 180's at all. Not at my intended hunting ranges anyhow.

Your right on about that AI Guy. It has alot going for it. Seems like it is pretty well balanced and is a good producer per grain of powder used. Scotty

 

[257 Ackley]

That thing sure is pretty Scotty! Now get out there and just shoot it would you! I want to see how that R19 works in it before I go "to the dark side" and get some for myself to try.

David -
you might as well go stock up on R19. It has been the best performing powder in my 300WSM with the 180's.

Great looking rifle Scott! There are few rifles made that give me a warm and fuzzy like a featherweight.

 

[bbearhntr]

Great looking rifle Scotty! I am on the fence between a FW or an EW for my next rifle purchase. Maybe I need one of each :roll: I am a fan of the Wizzum chamberings as well. Good luck with load developement!

 

[BK]

I guess I'm just goofy. Well, OK, I know I'm goofy. But for whatever reason, I have no desire for a Featherweight with anything that says 'Magnum' on the barrel. I'll take Fwts. in .243, .260, 7-08, .308, .338 Fed., or .358 Win. I'll take Fwts. in 6.5-06 (excuse me '.264 Whelen') .270 (ugh, that hurts to say), .280, or .338-06, but if it says 'Magnum' on it, I'd rather have a Sporter, same with a .35 Whelen. And .25-06, but that's more of a barrel length thing. I have no idea why. Mike has posted pics of his 7WSM Fwt., and I think it's really cool, but for whatever reason, I'm not too sure I'd buy one. Maybe I'd make an exception for a 6.5 Rem Mag, but how likely is that to be found?

Now watch me buy a .270 WSM Fwt. on my next trip home.

 

[SJB358]

I guess I'm just goofy. Well, OK, I know I'm goofy. But for whatever reason, I have no desire for a Featherweight with anything that says 'Magnum' on the barrel. I'll take Fwts. in .243, .260, 7-08, .308, .338 Fed., or .358 Win. I'll take Fwts. in 6.5-06 (excuse me '.264 Whelen') .270 (ugh, that hurts to say), .280, or .338-06, but if it says 'Magnum' on it, I'd rather have a Sporter, same with a .35 Whelen. And .25-06, but that's more of a barrel length thing. I have no idea why. Mike has posted pics of his 7WSM Fwt., and I think it's really cool, but for whatever reason, I'm not too sure I'd buy one. Maybe I'd make an exception for a 6.5 Rem Mag, but how likely is that to be found?

Now watch me buy a .270 WSM Fwt. on my next trip home.

Yeah, wait till you handle one of the WSM's in the Featherweight Kurt. I see where you are coming from, but they are about as handy as a bolt rifle can get and the 24" barrel should get everything there is to get outta the 300.... So far, I like it alot. I'm kinda jaded in rifle weight. I do not like heavy rifles for hiking. This Featherweight has alot going for it in that department. If it shoots, it may be hard to put down. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Now watch me buy a .270 WSM Fwt. on my next trip home.

I'll be watching with a word of encouragement, Kurt.

 

[BK]

Well, the only (factory) WSM I don't have yet is a .270, but I'm kinda holding out for another Kimber Montana. Or an M70 Sporter. Or Extreme Weather. Or a Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard. Or a...

Heck, I have no idea.

 

[big rifle man]

scotty, if you have any IMR4831 laying around give it a try with the 180 grainers. I use 67.5 grains with a Federal 215M primer and a 180 grain sierra pro hunter. velocity is 3010fps out of my Kimber montana with a 24 inch barrel. Accuracy for a three shot group is in the area of 3/4 of an inch at 100 yards. Chronograph is an Oehler 35P. Works extremely well on Elk.

 

[SJB358]

scotty, if you have any IMR4831 laying around give it a try with the 180 grainers. I use 67.5 grains with a Federal 215M primer and a 180 grain sierra pro hunter. velocity is 3010fps out of my Kimber montana with a 24 inch barrel. Accuracy for a three shot group is in the area of 3/4 of an inch at 100 yards. Chronograph is an Oehler 35P. Works extremely well on Elk.

I do have a little bit of IMR4831 and H4831 as well. I will keep it in mind for the little 300. Seems like there are a ton of great powders for the 300. Scotty

 

[nvbroncrider]

I want to build something different on my 700 Long Action like a 6.5-06AI. But my love of 30 cals has me thinking about something like the 30-06AI. Thanks for that idea Scotty! :x

Pac-Nor barrels a 6.5-280AI That would be a lot of fun brass readily avalible and a hair more case capacity than a 6.5-06AI!! Or go to the 6.5-284 in a long action you could seat them long 140s way out there.

 

[Woodycreek]

I want to build something different on my 700 Long Action like a 6.5-06AI. But my love of 30 cals has me thinking about something like the 30-06AI. Thanks for that idea Scotty! :x

Pac-Nor barrels a 6.5-280AI That would be a lot of fun brass readily avalible and a hair more case capacity than a 6.5-06AI!! Or go to the 6.5-284 in a long action you could seat them long 140s way out there.

The 6.5-280AI is worth thinking about. Already formed Nosler 280AI brass and a grain or so more room???

 

[tddeangelo]

I have a 300WSM in the EW version, which I think weighs not much more than the FWT. Recoil will definitely get your attention, but it's not bad at all, really. I shot my 12ga with 1oz. foster-style and sabot slugs yesterday and the 300WSM is by far gentler on the shoulder, lol.

The Decelerator that Winchester puts on their guns is a good addition to them. It soaks up a lot. It really just feels like getting a hard shove...abrupt, but not painful.