Windog1

HI everyone, I am looking at getting a 300 WSM in the next couple of months. I was comaparing it to the .300 Ultra Mag and one forum I ran accross said that the WSM has issues with bullets over 180 grain. Is this true? What are the big advantages of either gun? What I have found so far is that the WSM gun usually has a shorter barrel and action, usually resulting in a lighter gun. This will be for primarily hunting Elk, Mulies and other Western game.

Here is the link to that other forum that mentioned the 180grain issue.
http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akhunting/11103.htm

SwampCollie

I've never shot anything heavier than 180s out of my WSM. It shoots them just fine for hunting purposes, about 1.25" CTC at 100 yards. It shoots the 165s the best, right at 1.00" CTC. All factory loads for it so far. Haven't had the time to tinker.

In my eyes, the 300 WSM and 300 Ultra are in totally different leagues of play. The WSM is a good alternative/comparison to the 300 Win Mag for sporting purposes. The rifles are lighter, recoil is typically less, and depending on whose ballistics charts you read, performance of the WSM is typically just a touch below or on par with the Win Mag. The Ultra Mag sits atop the .30cal mountain. Its flatter, faster, harder and heavier. Opinions are like elbows, but if I need anything over a .300 WM or WSM.... I'm going to a .338 class or even a .375 class cartridge. If you want something flatter shooting, consider a 7mm Rem Mag, STW or even Ultra Mag. For harder hitting, go to a larger caliber.

Remember that you are going to be carrying this thing more than you shoot it. Think about your average shot distance, and what you hunt the most. Any of the big .30s will do you fine, but you don't need/want more gun than you can tote or shoot comfortably.

bigbulls

There isn't a30 caliber cartridge made that needs to shoot any bullet heavier than 180 grains for hunting purposes. Sure 30 or 40years ago the 200 and 220 grain bullets were a plus when hunting big heavy animals with a .300 but those days are long gone. Todays bullets expand more reliably, penetrate deeper,are more ballistically efficient, andare generally more accurate than bullets of yesterday. IMHO they could completely quit making HUNTING bullets heavier than 180 grains in 30 caliber and it wouldn't make a difference one bit. I would gladly take a 180 grain TSX, Accubond, Interbond, Scirocco, A-frame, etc... over any of the 200+ grain plain lead core bullets or even the Nosler partition. And besides that just a quick look at Noslers reloading information it shows the WSM220 grain Nosler partition only 20 fps behind the longer 300 Win mag.

So to answer your questionI would not let it sway my decision on any .300 one way or the other.

Iagree with SwampCollie,

salukipv1

I have heard/read that too, that if you get 180 or bigger the .300 win mag will do that better than the .300 wsm though I think the .300 wsm was designed to shoot 180 the same as the .300 win mag using the case most effectivly, the WSM case is designed for a .308 caliber. I've only seen it loaded in 150 and 180 gr whereas most .300 win mags are IMO only loaded in 180gr, sure they load them in 165, and 150 but I dont see the use, but int he .300wsm I think id consider the 165 or 150, though 150 seems like, I think 180 is what you want to go with in any .300 mag. and should be equivalent to that of the .300 win mag.

If i get a .300 wsm it will be in a lighter setup for elk, I'd like a 24" barrel on it most likely. I see rifles that are either pretty standard weights or lightweight, i dont think you really need a heavy rifle for this round. But my pick would be for a semi lightweight setup, with a 24" barrel. I think any rifle in the 6.5-8lbs would be fine, any lighter kick would be quite a bit more I think, any heavier and I'd just take a .338 rifle.

HEAD0001

The problem with bullets over 180 grains is simple. Case capacity. there are two basic advantages to the 300 WSM. First you can shoot it in a shorter action-this allows a lighter rifle. The second is that it generates basically the same energy as a 300 Winchester with less powder, because of the so called "case efficiency". I shoot a 155 grain bullet in mine with H414. I am very happy with the cartridge. IMO it is one of the new cartridges that is here to stay.

You really can not copmapre the 300 WSM to the Ultra Mag, but then you can not compare the 300 Winchester Magnum to the Ultra magnum. The Ultra Magnum is basically another step up. The Ultra Magnumdefinitely has more power, but it comes with a price.

I disagree a bit with the opinion above about there being any use for a bullet larger than 180 grain's in a 30 caliber. I shoot a 200 grain Sierra in a 30-06Remington pump carbine. The rifle is devastating ongame, the action is fast for a woods handling rifle and the load at 2500 fps is awesome on everything up to and including elk. There is no need to spend big bucks on bullets to hunt big game up to elk with the 30 caliber. The Sierra 200 grain Game King is a true performer, for a lot less money. I prefer the 165's for long range 30 caliberhunting, but then I shoot the 155 grain Palma in my 300 WSM for a Longdistance deer rifle. Tom.

skeeter 7MM

My way of thinking is upto 180gr the 300wsm is fine, if you want to or plan to use the 200 or 220 go with 300wm or RUM.

One other thing to consider with the RUM is will you reload or buy factory. It the later then skip the 300RUM, performance is pathetic, selection is limited and costly. This a reloader cartridge and designed for long range.Cost of ownership is higher with the rum in components, recoil and barrel life. Very good cartridge just not your everyday hunter type IMHO.

Retaks

I shoot 180's in my 300 WSM. I use it for deer, moose,caribou, and bear.IF i go hunt anything i think i would need anything bigger then a 180gr bullet im gonna go get the338 Ultra Magive been trying to find an excuse to get. That should handle 225-250gr well.

oldelkhunter

If you were to use a 200 grain bullet in a 300 wsm it would still have plenty of trajectory to smash anything out there. No need for that bullet weight with a good modern bullet but if you chose it it would work. BTW most 300 Winchester barrels these days are the same xact length as a 300 WSM barrels with the exception of certain model 70's and a few Remingtons.

Windog1

Good info guys. What type of ranges will you comfortably shoot with 300 wsm? Lets say the game is an elk. I'm new the the whole rilfe thing.. from the midwest where shotguns rule.

700xcr

It mainly depends onrifle and your ability. Rifle, ammo and you are the variables to know how far. Not just the cartridge itself. It takes practice and you getting proffiecent with the rifle. There are some usingthis cartridgefor long range hunting.