Short Magnum poll taken ...

[BK]

That has to be one of the cooler backdrops for a pic!

And you reminded me of my .300 SAUM...

Wow, a thread for me. The short mags were the reason I stopped going to gun shows! I bought two on impulse buys…and (wait for it) I LOVE THEM.

I probably own two of the most unpopular short mags ever created: 1) 223WSSM and 2) 300SAUM

My 223WSSM is my most used out of my 5 hunting rifles (just received my N48 Legacy the other day—I’ll post more on that at a later date)

Details are as follows (I apologize if you’ve seen these before because I think I posted it already—sometime ago):
1. Sent receiver (Mod 70) to Pac-Nor and had a 24 inch, #6 contour, 1:12 twist (plan on shooting 50-55 grainers) SS barrel installed
2. Received gun from Pac-Nor with new barrel (roughly 5 months)
3. Sent gun to Robar Industries to have it coated with Roguard Matte Finish and NP3 on the internals
4. Received gun from Robar and brought it to McMillan to have a stock custom fitted and installed
5. Received gun from McMillan (over a year)
6. Installed Williams metal trigger guard
7. Installed Timney trigger
8. Installed Talley Rings and Bases
9. Installed NightForce 5.5x22x50 with MOAR on it

Now for my 300SAUM:
1. Rem 700 action
2. Hart barrel
3. McMillan stock
4. Timney trigger
5. Vais muzzle brake

Don’t have a pic yet…

 

[Desert Fox]

KD, that tractor still running? I love them old tractor. Never own a farm and didn't grow up in one either but I was around them growing up in the Philippines in the 60's. Behind our property was a large sugar cane plantation and love seeing those Farmall's, Allis Chalmer's, Massey Ferguson's and later Ford's plowing the field.

 

[SJB358]

KD, that tractor still running? I love them old tractor. Never own a farm and didn't grow up in one either but I was around them growing up in the Philippines in the 60's. Behind our property was a large sugar cane plantation and love seeing those Farmall's, Allis Chalmer's, Massey Ferguson's and later Ford's plowing the field.

Those old Farmall's were something else. Still a few of them doing work up where I am from..

 

[alaska100]

I've got three of the four WSM's, and someday may grab a 325 should the right one come around. The least loveable WSM is the 300. While a great cartridge, that does just about everything a 300 Win Mag does, it just doesn't trip my trigger like the 270&7mm does. Granted, I haven't really hunted the 300 yet, if I was going for another 300 today, it would likely be another 300 Win Mag. Had alot of good luck with that one, but the rifle was a tank. Should I find a Pre64 H&H or Win Mag, I'd probably part with my 300. The other two, well they aren't going anywhere.

Scotty, I doubt Cheyenne would disagree with you. At last count her 7 had taken caribou, moose, both black and brown bear and of course wolf. In fact I think you were instrumental in getting her into the 7WSM.

my daughter also has a 7 and loves it. From everything I see and hear I dont think the 7 and 270 are going away any time soon.

Scotty if you get the opportunity, shoot the 7 in a Browning BLR--very sweet little gun.

 

[SJB358]

Oh, I don't doubt that 7mm in the BLR is the cat's meow. That is sorta why I thought it would be an excellent rifle for her. I have one of the BLR's in 358 and it does serve me really well. I am a big fan of the 270 and 7mm WSM's. I just haven't found much else that beats them as a really solid all arounder. It might not be my choice of the perfect rifle for brown bear, but I'd have no complaints with using it for everything a little less mean!

I actually wouldn't mind a 325WSM in a BLR Sean, that is the last WSM, I have yet to acquire, but I am pretty well set on rifles honestly. I am trying to focus on what I have right now, and actually do more hunting!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Funny thing with me, I am down to one shotgun and I think that I need more rifles and handguns?

 

[BK]

Funny, I think I'm just about set for rifles (well, I need a heavy barreled job to fill a McMillan) but I want to pick up a couple of 12ga. autos, a 20ga. auto (all Berettas) and a 28 ga. OU...

 

[Horsethief]

The even shorter 243 WSSM from the old Winchester factory in New Haven accounted for two mule deer in the form of bang - flop. The rifle makes tiny shot groups with 87gn Hornady Interlocks. It is almost nothing when it comes to weight and it has never failed to feed, extract, ect. In my opinion, it all comes down to how much practice a rifleman gets and the amount of attention to detail he (or she) pays. Handloads were the only thing that fed the 243 and there was never a problem with the rifle. Ever.

 

[killdeernow]

KD, that tractor still running? I love them old tractor. Never own a farm and didn't grow up in one either but I was around them growing up in the Philippines in the 60's. Behind our property was a large sugar cane plantation and love seeing those Farmall's, Allis Chalmer's, Massey Ferguson's and later Ford's plowing the field.

Heck yeah it's still running. I saw it laying on its side in Carrizozo, NM. I pulled over immediately and stared at it. My imagination was at full speed the entire time. I ended up coming back w/a trailer and $200 and called it mine.

Put a wide front on it w/power steering and a 3-pt hitch. Oh yeah, and new rubber all around (not a fun bill to pay).

 

[RememberBaker]

Asking about the popularity of sm's and ssm's in the Nosler forum is about like asking if tax cuts are a good idea at the Republican National Convention.....

Get outside a circle of reloaders and their popularity wanes. I suspect the article is correct and a number of them will fade away.

 

[SJB358]

KD, that tractor still running? I love them old tractor. Never own a farm and didn't grow up in one either but I was around them growing up in the Philippines in the 60's. Behind our property was a large sugar cane plantation and love seeing those Farmall's, Allis Chalmer's, Massey Ferguson's and later Ford's plowing the field.

Heck yeah it's still running. I saw it laying on its side in Carrizozo, NM. I pulled over immediately and stared at it. My imagination was at full speed the entire time. I ended up coming back w/a trailer and $200 and called it mine.

Put a wide front on it w/power steering and a 3-pt hitch. Oh yeah, and new rubber all around (not a fun bill to pay).

That's excellent! Those old tractors, made outta real iron will last forever..

 

[Anonymous]

Asking about the popularity of sm's and ssm's in the Nosler forum is about like asking if tax cuts are a good idea at the Republican National Convention.....

Get outside a circle of reloaders and their popularity wanes. I suspect the article is correct and a number of them will fade away.

Oddly enough- several of my friends are enthusiastic about the WSMs (don't know anyone with the WSSMs) and none handload. In reflection, they're not serious shooters either- they're die hard hunters however, and the WSM just works. Also oddly- they really like the .325 as a group, particularly the sheep hunters.

In all fairness the Super Short series is probably headed for the dustbin of history and kept alive only by hand loaders. The standard WSM series is going to be around for a long time to come. A friend of mine predicts its the .30-06 of the 21st century- neither of us will be around to see if he's right, but I wouldn't feel bad if he was.

 

[SJB358]

Also oddly- they really like the .325 as a group, particularly the sheep hunters.

In all fairness the Super Short series is probably headed for the dustbin of history and kept alive only by hand loaders. The standard WSM series is going to be around for a long time to come. A friend of mine predicts its the .30-06 of the 21st century- neither of us will be around to see if he's right, but I wouldn't feel bad if he was.

There pops up another vote for the 325! Danged thing has some solid backing around certain circles. I'd think a guy that wanted more bullet weight than a typical 300 magnum load and less recoil than a 338 would like the 325 a bunch. I know ballistically it is very appealing. Plus, most of the 325's are chambered in very handy rifles.

 

[tecumseh]

I have a Weatherby Vanguard 300 WSM That I've hunted out west with and took a cow elk with, It's been a good rifle but I shoot it the least out of the rifles I own, especially now that I have an all around load for my 280 Rem I doubt that I'll use the 300 WSM all that much.

 

[Guy Miner]

I've heard that the .270 & .300 WSM's are selling reasonably well, the 7mm & .325 not so well. Found that a bit odd, because in my mind the 7 may be the best of them. I think the .300 WSM at least will continue, because Americans like their .30 cal rifles, and it's a fine choice.

Were the WSM's "necessary" - no, they weren't, and in some cases like the 7mm & .300, they really didn't offer anything in the way of spectacular ballistics, just delivered about the same as the existing 7mm & .30 cal magnums.

I do wonder if I'd be happier with a lighter, less cumbersome rifle than my Model 70 Coyote. It's a good rifle, but a bit of a beast to lug around on a multi-day hunt in the Cascades. I've done it, but can't say I was real happy about it. Perhaps that helps explain the new .30-06 Rem 700 CDL in my safe? Hmmmm....

Regards, Guy

 

[SJB358]

I've heard that the .270 & .300 WSM's are selling reasonably well, the 7mm & .325 not so well. Found that a bit odd, because in my mind the 7 may be the best of them. I think the .300 WSM at least will continue, because Americans like their .30 cal rifles, and it's a fine choice.

Were the WSM's "necessary" - no, they weren't, and in some cases like the 7mm & .300, they really didn't offer anything in the way of spectacular ballistics, just delivered about the same as the existing 7mm & .30 cal magnums.

I do wonder if I'd be happier with a lighter, less cumbersome rifle than my Model 70 Coyote. It's a good rifle, but a bit of a beast to lug around on a multi-day hunt in the Cascades. I've done it, but can't say I was real happy about it. Perhaps that helps explain the new .30-06 Rem 700 CDL in my safe? Hmmmm....

Regards, Guy

I am with you there. I ditched my last 300 Win Mag cause it was just too heavy for a 300 Win Mag. The smaller WSM seems to be much more at home in a trim Sporter or Featherweight.

 

[RememberBaker]

Oddly enough- several of my friends are enthusiastic about the WSMs (A friend of mine predicts its the .30-06 of the 21st century- neither of us will be around to see if he's right, but I wouldn't feel bad if he was.

I wouldn't bet against the 30-06 being the 30-06 of the 21st century!

 

[wildgene]

I've heard that the .270 & .300 WSM's are selling reasonably well, the 7mm & .325 not so well. Found that a bit odd, because in my mind the 7 may be the best of them. I think the .300 WSM at least will continue, because Americans like their .30 cal rifles, and it's a fine choice.

Were the WSM's "necessary" - no, they weren't, and in some cases like the 7mm & .300, they really didn't offer anything in the way of spectacular ballistics, just delivered about the same as the existing 7mm & .30 cal magnums.

I do wonder if I'd be happier with a lighter, less cumbersome rifle than my Model 70 Coyote. It's a good rifle, but a bit of a beast to lug around on a multi-day hunt in the Cascades. I've done it, but can't say I was real happy about it. Perhaps that helps explain the new .30-06 Rem 700 CDL in my safe? Hmmmm....

Regards, Guy

I am with you there. I ditched my last 300 Win Mag cause it was just too heavy for a 300 Win Mag. The smaller WSM seems to be much more at home in a trim Sporter or Featherweight.

...w/ 68grs. of RL-17 I can push a 165gr @3200fps, or 66grs. w/ a 180gr. @3050fps out of a 23" barrel, on a rifle that weighs 7.3lbs. @ a manageable level of recoil. Compare that to your favorite .300 WM & .30-06 loads. There is a reason why the short mags shine...

 

[Oldtrader3]

If I did not believe that the .338 WM, followed by the .340 Mag, were the queens of elk hunting, I might be swayed by the .325 WSM, just because it is a Winchester. However, I have spent 34 years with the .338's and .340 so it is hard to change now. I just downsized to the .338 Federal!

 

[SJB358]

I'm pretty weak for the Winchesters too Charlie. Haven't seen many I didn't like!