.300 Win Mag vs. .300 WSM

[jrod76]

I have chosen a Tikka T3 Stainless Lite, but cannot settle on a caliber. The only rifle I have ever owned is a Rem 760 in 30/06. I have been happy with it, but it is old and I am ready for a bolt action. It still works, so I see no need in getting another '06, but I am not very informed on the Magnums. I have read several reviews, now I am just looking for opinions. I hunt blacktails in Oregon and elk in the Coast Range. Most of my shots are 200 yards or less, but when I have an opportunity at 300-400 I want to be confident I have enough gun. Any info on differences between these two cartridges would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[C. Schutte]

jrod,

If you already own a 30.06 which works well then you should consider another caliber (7mm mag or .338 mag) so as to not dublicate. The 300 mag. is just a 30.06 with a little more gusto to make a better penatrating shot on extreme long ranges. (the 300 Weatherby can handle the 200 and 220 gr. bullets very well) Up to 300 yards, that 30.06 will do what any 300 mag will do. Some would argu that after 300 yards every shot should be a broadside shot which the .06 can do and I would not agru against that idea. It still boils down to shot placement no matter what.

That said I bought a 300 Win mag. just to make that 400 yard shot with more confidence that you spoke of. My 1st elk hunt I needed it because my closest opportunity was over 400 yards. The .06 would have made the same shot I suppose but, it was comforting when my shoulder shot anchored the bull with a full pass through both shoulders at over 400 yards.

Unless you reload I would recommend staying with the long action magnums because of the availibily of factory ammo. All rifles have one or two rounds that they like best and you want as much factory ammo to have choices. If you choose one of the 300 mags I would recommend the Win mag. or the Weatherby due to a reasonable amount of factory ammo to choose from. I am not sold on the Ultra mag because the 300 Win mag or 300 Weatherby can make any shot the Ultra can do. Someone will read this and argu that the 30.06 can to and they might be right. good luck..........chs

ps. My 300 Win Mag produces between 1/2"-3/4" groups @ 200 yds. The 300 long action is also used in 1000 yd. matches or it did so you can count on accuracy.

.

[ron]

Funny you're considering these two calibres in a Tikka T3 Stainless light. I traded my Weatherby 300 Win in on a Tikka T3 Lite and had it down to exactly those calibres. I reload and I already had the dies for the 300 Win and it would've saved me some $ to stick with the 300 Win (brass and dies). I gave in to the urge to try the new 300 WSM and have never looked back. Matter of fact, I killed my first bull elk with it last September at 330 yards. The thing is a tack driver. Could I have done same with 300 Win? Probably but who knows. The choice is yours but I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. Due to the lightweight, either calibre will "bark at both ends", however. Recoil doesn't bother me and I love mine.

[gdbraham]

I agree with Ron. I too own a tikka 300 wsm in laminated stainless though, and love it. It is no arguement that both the long magnum and the short mags, are virtually the same calibre, it comes down to a matter of preference. I opted for the Short mag because the accuracy is argueably better and has a conciderable less recoil. As for bullet availability, you will have no problem finding bullets for a 300 WSM. If your hunting blacktail, i would load a light bullet (130 - 150gr) and for elk, i would go with the 180gr. all will deliver excellent accuracy out to 300 plus yards. Good luck buying.

[highcountry]

ballisticly equal, the win mag will likley never give you a fit in the feeding dept, the wsm may, the wsm is usually very accurate, but the win can be as well. the wsm saves a bit of weight from a shorter action, the win mag ammo is easier to find in a small town. they all just need you to practice to be daedly with them, I personally like the ultra mags, but I hunt with a fella who just uses an 06' and he makes the same shots I do, but mine do seem to die a bit sooner on long shots.....but dead is dead. either will do ya fine.

[Beowulf]

I only have on issue with the 300 win and thats the short neck for reloading big bullets. I prefer my wsm over my win mag just because I like the lighter shorter rifle. And at 9000 ft. weight is king! also my wsm's are either A bolts or tikka's and both are tack drivers. Also I shoot LH so I have limited choices. I tried a ruger and they had feeding issues with their mauser type claw extractors and WSM ammo. The wsm's are more accurate it seems to me and others report the same to me so maybe its true. Either way they are good choices and will get the job done nicely. And lastly I really like my 325 wsm and cant wait to take it to namibia this year. we'll see

[jrod76]

Well, thank you all very much for your input. I did opt for the wsm, and I bought it today. Now I can't wait to get to the field and shoot. Thanks again.