.300 Short Mag vs. Long Mag

[IchWarrior]

Ive got the .300 itch, really bad like. Ive looked hard and heavy around and Ive come down to the fact that I need a .300 Magnum, still working on if I want long or short.

Originally, I wanted long, its proven, its accurate its wonderful. However, I know that case maintainence is somewhat high being a belted magnum. I dont think this is a real big deal, neck size, then full length with a collet every 2-3 reloads. Cant be that difficult.


That led me to look at the new WSM. No belt, no worries I thought. Same good ole performance. However, the more I read, the more I find that the mfg's claims are a little over rated, making it about as good as the old Long Magnum with the 165 grain bullets or so. When you stuff the heavier bullets down it, I hear you lose velocity really swiftly.


So, I aim to reload 180's for the possible elk, mostly targets. I may drift into the 200 grain range in the quest to shoot beyond 500 yards. Which one would YOU take, thus, should I choose?

[bigbrother]

I think Boyd probably has the most experience by shooting both the wsm and ultramags. He's won numerous flights at 1000yd benchrest comps with the 300WSM shooting a 210g JLK I think. Personally, it would depend upon what type of gun I was setting up to shoot. If it's a carry gun for shooting 800yds and under, I don't think I would bother with the belt on the 300 win or bother burning the powder out of an ultra. The 300wsm will get you there easily. If I was building a "fixed position" rifle then I would probably go with the 300Ultramag.

The 300WSM is a great case design. It follows the 308win in the fact that you really can't improve it.

On the other hand, my gunsmith's wife killed an elk at 1100 yds with a 300win mag and like he says: what more do you want a gun to do?

[IchWarrior]

Thats a lot of it, its been proven, the .300 WM just plain works.


I have to admit Im settling more towards the .300 WM for the factory BOSS option. I could use the brake, and it will be simpler than getting an after market installed....


If it dont work I can always burn the barrel up and rechamber it right:D

[Aim to maim]

Originally posted by IchWarrior

I have to admit Im settling more towards the .300 WM for the factory BOSS option. I could use the brake, and it will be simpler than getting an after market installed....


:D

I recommend you think long and hard before paying extra for the BOSS system, unless you intend to wear ear protection even while hunting. Incidentally, I've had a .300 WM for many years and I don't think you can go wrong with that caliber.

[IchWarrior]

Originally posted by Aim to maim
I recommend you think long and hard before paying extra for the BOSS system, unless you intend to wear ear protection even while hunting. Incidentally, I've had a .300 WM for many years and I don't think you can go wrong with that caliber.


I have, and I shoot my rifle more on paper than at animals. I want the ability to utilize the rifle as best I can, with my frame, its hard to just take the recoil. I have pretty much commited myself to hearing protection if I am in the woods. I really dont plan on using it a whole lot, but if and when I do, I dont think its going to be in the stalk :)

[ol_spark]

I have shot guns with the boss system and as they appear to work somewhat as designed, it is usually at the expense of sacrificing barrel length and therefore velocity, which is something you want to maintain for LR shooting. The "Boss" is 4 or 5" in length and is not considered in the total length of a barrel. I mean a boss, in my opinion, is not the most effective brake system nor is it necessary as an accuracy additive to most guns. I've shot them on .338's and 7 mags and really didn't see where they reduced recoil. All they did was make noise. But that's just my experience. Maybe yours will be different.

Just something else to think about... The action you choose is something of your own preference for your desired use because a 180 grain .30 caliber bullet traveling 3000fps has the same terminal effect if it is coming out of a long case or a short case.

Good luck with your choice.

[Evan03]

id shy away from any kind of muzzle break.

a 300win or 300wsm wont hurrt you to bad in meduim weight rifle. 7.5lbs pluss, my ruger weighs 8.24lbs and is very managable fro me to shoot. and im a small guy, i hate recoil, but the recoil is very workable

[Hi Ball]

I don't mind telling you, I would opt for the .300 Winchester Magnum hands down!!! Now from a hunting standpoint, ammo is just about everywhere to be found.

I have owned one since 1964 and have never regretted having it in my hands but one time. Long story in Alaska and one big bad bear incident. I have never found that belt on the 300 Win mag to be a problem in my rifles.

The 300 WSM mag is NOT the same in the velocity department nor the kinetic energy department. Sorry, I have run the tests on these calibers at the gun club twice. The 300 WSM mag will not shoot the numbers a 300 Win mag will......FACT.

Accuarcy wise I would rank them both in the same boat. However, I really never shot that 300WSM over 200 yards. I have shot the 300 mag at 1000 yards in the past, with very good results too.

If your hunting big game animals like elk, it won't really make a Tinker's Dam which caliber you use. The biggest issue there is your choice of bullet weight (I favor the 200 grain bullets) and brand of bullets. I prefer a premium bullet like the Speer TBBC or Swift A Frames.