I’m in my early 20s and finally getting into big game hunting. I picked up a Weatherby Vangaurd in 300 win mag and a lot of my decisions and recent knowledge have come from things I’ve learned watching this channel. Thanks Ron!
Congrats! You actually have a rebadged Howa 1500! Probably the best budget bolt action there is! I have a Mueller 8-32 target master, 20 moa one piece scope base, a knox axiom stock- suspension locked up-, and a howitzer style muzzle break on mine. I can run 60rds through it, no shoulder pain what so ever.
Should of got the 300 Weatherby if it's just for big game but if target or long range shooting u made the right decision 300 wm bullets ain't cheap but they not Weatherby high
Being 74 years old, I inherited a Springfield 03 in the 30-06 from my Dad and took my first Deer in Utah when I was 12 years old. That rifle became very important to me after my Dad passed away , I had taken Russian Boars and a lot of deer with that gun. I was going Elk hunting and Colorado and bought the Remington 700 in the 300WSM and reloaded 180 gr MRX Barns bullets. I got my Elk but passed up a monster that was 340 yards away with only a head shot available. When I returned I picked up a used 340 Weatherby and put a Vortex scope on it: I reloaded 250gr MRX bullets with the Reloader 33 powder. A few months later I had a cardiac arrest and upon recovery I had lost quite a bit of memory. That was back in 2018 Christmas and feel like I’ve recovered quite a bit. I should be getting my drivers license back soon. Both of my Sons spend a lot of time in Alaska working about the Brooks Range on oil rigs. One as a Directional Driller and the other as an Electrician. My oldest child is a girl who has a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering and works for the State of Virginia expanding an Interstate Highway. I hope someday to have Grandchildren but none of them are married yet.Thank you for taking the time to read this and God Bless.
Thanks Ron for all you do! I hunt with both the 300 win Mag and the 300 WSM. Both have performed well with loads that I have worked up. Nearing 60 years of age I wish I could hunt for another 60!
Guys I have both , never had a feeding with the 300wsm. I have been running it for years and love it so much , I gave my custom Remington in 300WM to my son.
I get 3008 fps from a 180 grain Trophy Bonded Tipped over H4350 from a 22 3/4" barreled 300 wsm. It's a lightweight, fairly compact rifle....a real pleasure to carry and shoots sub moa.
@@jcarry5214 I get crazy speed with it. I have some H4350 but never tried working up good loads due to the slow speeds. Accuracy with my re17 is about 1” but I’ve had loads that are under 1” with it. Maybe I’ll give the 4350 another go.
@@wesleyturner1979 -I did try RL17...nearly 3100 fps before pressure signs appeared...however poor accuracy in my particular rifle (rem 700 ss). RL19 also gave good velocity/accuracy.
Great Video with some good information.... I picked up a winchester model 70 in the 300 wsm. With the 24 inch barrel. I'm shooting a 150 grain bullet. Very happy with the Gun and caliber... Thanks
The key factor in the decision to choose a 300WSM vs a 300WM should be ammo source. If you are a reloader and you like a short action go with 300WSM, if you depend on factory ammo go with 300WM. Also, if you wish to run very heavy bullets like 200gr+ go with the 300WM. Many 300WSM’s are chambered with 1:11 twist (Sako & Tikka) while most 300WM’s are chambered with 1:10 twist… which is part of the reason why 300WM accommodates the longer heavier bullets better.
The WSM is said to burn its powder faster in a shorter barrel,where as the older long column of powder require a longer barrel to produce best velocities.
@@davidwatkins767 Not true. It has to do with a wider diameter allowing for faster burn plus the angle of the shoulder. The WSM typically has a lower recoil than the WM.
I absolutely love the 300wsm. The big difference I see is ammo availability. Where many shops routinely stock the 300 win mag the wsm is typically more challenging to find. As for the other wsm cartridges, the 325wsm is another I have come to enjoy but ammo is all but impossible to find and when you do find some it's expensive
@@IceColdMilk69 I've shot 4 moose with it- recovered 1 bullet on the offside hide. Everything else exited. I've shot 2 fairly large black bears and a lot of caribou.
@@IceColdMilk69 I’m not running a 300WSM but a 30-06 and my 165 gr Accubonds have taken 5 elk, 1 black bear, 6 whitetail, and 2 mule deer. A 180 going a bit faster will only be better than my 30-06.
It comes down to picking the correct burn rate to tailor for your case dimensions and your barrel length. The longer magnums will make more velocity (more powder does equal more speed) but you need more barrel length than most hunters want to carry to take advantage of it.
I now hunt with a 243 more than any other caliber and it's probably my favorite caliber. That being said, I did at one time own a 300 win mag and had a 200 acre hunting club in Alabama. I had deer, 3 bucks and unlimited does each year, hogs, you name it. I have to say that there was never a tracking job with that cartridge. It was exciting knowing that if I could get my cross hair on an animal, it was game over lol. I would walk straight to it. I really have no idea why I haven't bought another one. Especially since I'm blessed to hunt behind my house now. You know what? I believe I will. 😏👍
Yes indeed. Looking at Winchesters offerings in model 70 for these chamberings, the old Win Mag comes with 2" more barrel length than the WSM in the same model. So there is actually a point the WSM has over the old mag if the buyer is looking for a bit lighter weight rifle
As I understand it, the WSM must have a minimum of a 24 inch barrel, in order to achieve the same velocities as the WinMag. I remember reading that in the literature when the 300 WSM first came out.
Ron, I’m glad you mentioned the 300 PRC. It’s funny how we’ve made a full circle back to the magnum action of the 300 H&H. Because I reload, I love the efficiency (which I define as ft/sec per grain of powder) of the 300 H&H and 300 WSM. The 300 Win Mag is my least favorite of the 300 magnums, but it’s still a classic.
i usely hit what i aim for under 120 m. 300 h&h the action do not need a second shoot,do no not what the fuss is about,if you want a second shoot buy a good under&over they are good fun in 308
Another great video Mr. Spomer, thank you. Another thing about the WSM that pertains to we reloaders is that steep shoulder. Make sure and use enough case lube when resizing as that steep shoulder can be pushed back a bit easier than some others if you're a little short on case lube. But then the classic belted mag brings its own little set of idiosyncrasies to the reloading bench as well. Thanks Ron and good luck in the upcoming season!
I have a 300 WSM and love it ! Ballistic twin to the 300 WinMag just like Ron said. I have the 325 WSM also and not sure why it didn't catch on since it is a in a sense a 8mm Mauser short.
It always baffles me that so many cartridges have been developed and marketed and continue to be produced. The 300 WSM/RSAUM/RCM/Win. Mag./PRC/Wby. Mag all existing at the same time is amazing. I just can’t see that there is enough difference between them to justify it but it is fun to have options
Now Weatherby AND Nosler have their own cartridges, the .300 Win Mag’s ammo cost and availability are HUGE factor. And it’s the reason I’ll always choose it as THE magnum .30 cartridge. It’s the clear winner when taking the actual ammo in to consideration. Affording and finding it matters a whole lot, sure there’s bandleaders who don’t care. But the majority of hunters buy their ammo, with that being said it makes the .300 Win Mag the superior choice.
Ron I have both and in the field there is no difference. The main difference is what you mentioned in the rifle. I have an A Bolt 11 Stainless Stalker in 300WSM. It's a shorter and lighter rifle with a 23" barrel. I have a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather in 300 Win Mag which has a 26" barrel. Both handle very differently and the A Bolt 11 is the lighter rifle. Both are great and nearly every rifle manufacturer puts out the 300WSM. In a bolt action it's just different strokes with these two equally great calibres (pardon the pun). Thanks for sharing!
I’ve got a 270WSM in the Remington 700 and I’ve started to do my best to improve it. I’ve bought a new carbon barrel and a new stock. I’ve always loved the way it shoots and I’m hoping to make it just that much better.
I run a 270wsm also. Like the extra velocity over the regular 270 for use with monolithic bullets on big game. Recoil seems on par with a 30-06 more so than a true magnum, which I like. I’ve never shot an animal beyond about 325 yards.
@@phild9813 I find that the recoil is solid, but less sharp than my S&W 1500 (Howa 1500) 30/06. Which probably means the velocity of the recoil is a bit less. It’s a pleasure to shoot. My 325 WSM on the other hand is great, but after a 5 shot group you know you’ve done something.
I have the 300wsm from the Remington 700 platform. It's a fantastic gun. I'm not the tallest guy in the world so the short action does me well. The gun is accurate and VERY powerful. Throwing an 180gr bullet at almost 3000fps is insane.
300WSM is by far my favourite caliber. It is extremely versatile. You can get it to provide near belted magnum velocity with less recoil than you might think... I load 168gr Barnes TTSX bullets to 3000fps muzzle velocity with a very modest charge of H4350. That is 126fps below published maximum. By going with a lighter bullet and keeping the velocity well below maximum in a short action rifle you get the sensation that you are shooting a 30/06 or even a .308 not a magnum because the recoil is rather tame. In a quality rifle this cartridge is also very accurate and not too picky with charge weights and powder choice. with this 300WSM load energy doesn't drop below 1500ft-lb until 550yds. vs 450yds for a 30/06 and 350yds for a .308. pushing the same bullet. I have shot 30/06 loads that kick like a mule compared to my 300WSM. Give it a try... 300WSM is all you will ever need for North American game.
Tbh, same. I never noticed the recoil until I'm bench shooting with it. But when I'm out and about hunting with it (i.e. shooting free hand, branch, trigger stick), there is no recoil noticeable. Though, having 3 layers of clothing will help, along with a cheek rest on the stock of the rifle.
Ya man! I have a tikka t3x stainless in 300 wsm. Very accurate but it kicked pretty good so I got my gunsmith to put his custom brake on it and now it feels less than a 30-06 with a limbsaver pad
@@Kmecha84 Great idea!... I recently put many rounds down mine practicing long range shooting and yes... it sure boots more than my 308 with a brake... I can handle recoil and make the practice hits on targets out to 600m but... the follow through and spotting hits is nearly impossible. Im gonna do the same as you and put a brake on it... not for the first shot... but for the follow through! Being able to keep your eyes on the prey after taking the shot is pretty important for maximizing your chances for successful recovery!
@@briant7652 I have not had any chambering or headspace issues whatsoever. I use RCBS full length sizing die and im getting .003 shoulder bump. The rifle is a Sako A7.
I bought the .270 wsm back in 2001 and I love it except for the cost of ammo but I hand load for mine and the brass is getting pretty hard to find. Still great cartridges in my opinion
Yes they are pretty evenly matched. The short magnum is a bit more fuel efficient. I am very happy with my old .300 Win. Mag. I have been using it for a long time.
Hey Ron I been watching for a while now and I can’t believe the wealth of knowledge on this channel!! This is my favorite channel on RUclips and when I get on and see you have posted a new video I actually get excited to set down and watch it. Great content love the channel thanks for doing what you do
When comparing the long actions to short actions everyone mentions the shorter bolt throw. I’ve never considered that quicker bolt throw important at most ranges that we use a bolt gun. The main reason I like a short action is when mounting my scopes I have quite a bit more room within my rings for eye relief. Rarely does that get mentioned.
Good point, but the rings issue can usually be addressed with extended rings (rarely needed on standard length actions, but often on true magnums) or different scope lengths. Of course, if you have/love a short scope and insist on it, a short-action should more easily accommodate.
I’ve been sold on the 300WSM for over 15 years now. I just started LR shooting and bought a Savage 110 Elite Precision in 308Win. It never had the 1st 308Win round through it before being rechambered for 300WSM... With my current reloads, it’s shooting “bugholes” at 200yds while I’m working up loads for 1500 (and longer) yards...!!!
It's not that the primer is "closer to the center of the column", in fact, the primer of the longer case covers more center area of the case head. The efficiency of the WSM lies in a wider powder column where more powder burns sooner and more uniformly. A "24 barrel ensures all the powder is completely burned, albeit with less powder in the case. Love my Tikka T3 300 WSM. Great show Ron!
It's like buying a new truck. Chevy, GMC, Ford, Ram, Toyota etc...Most people have a favorite. Is a red truck better than a blue truck? My guess is, only if you like red better than blue. LOL The difference between some of these cartridges are small. If you're going elk hunting and you want a new rifle...decide what barrel length your willing to haul around. 30 Nosler, 300 Wby Mag, 300 RUM, 300 PRC, 300 WM, 300 WSM etc...they'll all probably do what you need to do. I have friends that are capable of making longer shots than I can. That's ok though. I do my best to stay within my own ability, and shoot the rifle and cartridge I like, or can afford. I have a 300WSM, so there's no need to go buy a new rifle...unless I just want a new one. lol Great video Ron. Thanks.
All I can really say, these two cartridges are so alike ballistically. The only differences are case length and diameter, and magazine capacity. You could get a slightly shorter rifle with the WSM, but not my much. If there is any real advantage, long heavier bullets won't impede on the available powder space as much on the 300 Win Mag as opposed to the WSM.
@@darrengarcia4937 - I would not recommend a 300 RUM with a carbon barrel. You can easily experience over 40 ft/lbs of recoil energy with such a light rifle. With that amount of muzzle blast and recoil, I would just step up to a 338 WinMag.
the biggest difference is when you get up in bullet size. the larger bullets may shoot better in the 300 win mag because there is more room for powder when seating the bullet. you can work arround that sometimes with the WSM but your ammo may not fit in the mag anymore.
As a gunsmith and hunting guide/long range shooter and reloader I’ll say “Yes” Both are amazing! But the 300 mag wins. The wsm case expands sometimes to the point where the bolt gets stuck closed! We’ve had to use a rubber mallet many many times on the workbench. 300 WM I can’t remember ever having to do that.
Thank you, you're videos continue to please, educate & provoke thought. I've used my .338 for decades - walrus, Brown bear, Grizzly, deer, caribou, etc. Also hunt in Europe, but decide not to travel with the .338 there. In Europe, I've used .300 Win mag & .300 RUM rifles on a variety of creatures. The two .300's worked very well. BTY, I really enjoyed the way the .300 RUM performed. It got my attention! However, as much as I enjoyed those calibers in my European hunts, I'm still stuck on my .338 Win mag. Of course, I'm used to it (comfort level), and I find no need to replace it. You do so well detailing caliber differences. Thank you. And, please keep it up the good work. But, we study, we shoot & we clobber creatures. And we find that small, subtle differences don't really count in order to reduce a creature to ambient temperature.
Great video as always Ron. You could never go wrong with either cartridge. 300 WSM set a new 1000 yard world record recently. 10 shot 10x group measuring 2.64” . The topic of frontal ignition always gets my mind thinking until I remember the pain it would be to remove primers . I’m a huge fan of the WSM family of cartridges, the world needs for the 6.5 WSM to be commercialized and the 25 WSSM to be done rite as the 25 WSM .
The 25WSM is a mirror of the older tried and true 25/06 Remington. It has no ballistic advantage over the older longer cases 25 .Buying one is just for bragging but theres nothing to brag about. 257 WEATHERBY AND 25/06 REM ARE STILL ON TOP.
Love my 300wsm. Went with it after using an 06 for years. No problem one shotting moose and elk out to 500. Got a spike bull moose last week one shot at 375. It has the oomfe to drop then cold.
Feeding issues... yes I had this when hunting. When cycling in a hurry that second cartridge doesn't slide effortlessly into the chamber. For my gun, it is best to keep calm and cycle without haste. My receiver is M700 from Christensen Arms Classic. Great shooter by the way! It loves the Accubond LR 190g.
Good comparison been shooting my 06 for 20 years but did pick up a 300WSM 4 years ago. Have to say from a reloading point of view pretty close. Have killed deer and elk with both calibers and results were meat in the freezer!
I chose the 300 WSM, because supposedly, it would be kinder on my surgically repaired shoulder, as far as recoil goes. Still havent fired it yet, so that remains to be seen. Cant wait to send some rounds down range though!
I wanted to say thanks much. I have always considered these two as half a dozen of one, 6 of the other. Even one thing you didn't talk about was weapon weight isn't that much. I personally use the 300 WM on Elk and other large game in the same class.
The wind deflection at 300 is reversed, though it's irrelevant to practical hunting. And the real difference in newer cartridges is not the cartridge, it's the higher twist rate built into newer rifles. Much ado about not so much at the end of the day.
I agree - it makes no sense that the slower bullet (from the WSM) would have less wind deflection since it takes longer to get to 300 yards than than Win Mag and therefore the wind has more time to act on it.
Another great video Ron. One thing I think you didn't mention. The short actions are supposed "stiffer" than the long actions and flex less during discharge making them more accurate. Maybe that matters on a bench but I can't see it making any significant difference for hunting. Your point was well made that for practical hunting these calibers are identical. Please keep your videos coming.
I personally think my 300WSM Tikka kicks less than my son's weatherby 300WM. I prefer the short action. We were both shooting 165 grains. Never had a feeding issue with the T3 or T3X super lite.
Ron the reson why I purchased a 300 wsm was comparing the 300wm compared the shorter bolt action also a fatter case better powder burning rate more equal. Another of the long range shooters are us8ng the 300 wsm . I have noticed it is less forgiving have to have good shooting form.
The WSM's were brilliant marketing at the time. Yes the short action is lighter in general, but I've handled long or standard actions that were just as light and or within a couple ounces. One thing to keep in mind is some of the short mags don't feed so smoothly, not all but I have run across a few. I have not loaded for the .300 WSM, but have considerable experience loading and shooting the .325 WSM, .300 H&H, .300 Win mag, .300 Weatherby and a Wildcat called a .300 Cloward Super magnum based on the H&H case. And I have worked with the .300 Remington Ultra mag a little bit. Honestly, they will all work and work well. I'd be more concerned about the rifle and how it fits you for you're purposes than which cartridge name is stamped on the barrel. Having owned several, I don't want anything "lightweight " chambered in any of these, been there, done that, I'm good. In closing I will say that I have no problem getting over 3,100 fps with 180 grain Partitions in my own .300 Win mag (custome rifle, 26 inch barrel), haven't messed with anything heavier because nothing has stood up to it. If I need more I have bigger rifles to choose from. Though I have been a long range shooter for years, I am not a long range hunter, and 400 yards is no problem for my boringly reliable. 30-06. Nice video Ron, keep it up.
@@georgewhitworth9742 HI Bradley, it's a Wildcat based off of the old belted H&H case. Think of it as a .300 Weatherby improved with no body taper, shorter neck, sharper shoulders moved forward with no freebore. I have gotten over 3,400 fps with 180 grain Partitions, accurately, but it's kind of too much of a good thing, and I am not a long range hunter. So I load 180's at 3,210 and 200's at 3,124. That should do anything you'd want a .30 cal. rifle to do. At the end of the day though, it's real hard to beat the old .300 Winchester Magnum. Especially if you consider ammo and loading components availability. In a pinch, with dies and a little work you can make a lot of different cases from other popular calibers based on the belted case. I have had to do this for the .350 Remington Magnum and the .308 Norma magnum, both easily made from 7mm Rem mag brass. Anyway, pick what you like and use it, what we shoot isn't near as important as how we shoot. Oh, almost forgot, on the Super mag, you can fire .300 Weatherby ammo in it, and the cases come out fire formed to the chamber. So in a pinch, if you loose your ammo, you can shoot factory. 300 Weatherby in it, if you can find it. 🙄. Personally my favorite is the .300 H&H, go figure. 🙂
@@larrybassett5559 Haha nice! I'm sorta keeping an eye out for rare or unusual chamberings to try out, and see if I can reload for. Thats partially what brought me to my own .300 H&H actually! I wanted a pretty good moose gun for up here in Alaska, but wanted something a little more special then a .300 Win Mag, haha. Actually hoping to find a rifle or a company that can custom make a rifle in the .275 H&H, so I can have a .270ish chambering, haha Are there any rifler makers/currently available rifles in the .300 Cloward per chance?
@@georgewhitworth9742 unfortunately he is retired, and I have never seen another on Gunbroker. I have seen a few mentions of it on the campfire but it's not terribly popular. .300 Weatherby would be easier and close in ballistics. For all around use and availability I'd stick with the old .300 Win mag.
Where are you shopping that WN is available? I haven't found factory loads in over a year other than corelokt 300 wsm ammo is everywhere and factory ammo is the same price or cheaper than WM.
A good comparison and you really can’t go wrong with either one of those two. My Dad has had a Winchester M70 in .300 Win Mag and has shot multiple whitetail 350 yards and in. Not many places in WV and PA that you can shoot further. Usually under 100. Two years ago before we went out to Idaho for a mule deer hunt I was looking into getting a .30 caliber to compliment my .270 Win. I have been looking at the .300 WSM in a Tikka T3X for years when I use to work at Cabela’s. But I was open to anything from the .308 up to the .300 Weatherby and Rem Ultra Mags, even a 338 Win (thinking about elk). When I found a new Savage M110 Long Range Hunter in .300 WSM for $565 down from $900 I jumped on it. Even though it is 8.4 lbs naked vs 6.5 in the Tikka. It shoots the 180-200 grain class rather well whether it be the Hornady GMX or ELD-X or Berger Hybrid Hunters, I need to reload some 180 Nosler Accubonds too.
Id say that 6.5lb’er would be brutal. Thats crazy light for a big magnum. Which when hunting, you probably wouldnt notice but you sure would at the bench.
You really don’t want a magnum rifle that weighs less than 8 1/2 pounds. John, is absolutely right. You would end up not practicing enough, and not becoming proficient with the rifle. My Tikka magnums are in GRS stocks to add some weight.
@@John_Redcorn_ yes I would agree especially since it didn’t come with a muzzle brake or a threaded muzzle to put one on to reduce recoil. Which would be as you mentioned beneficial at the bench. Whether one reloads or is trying multiple factory options to find the best one for their rifle.
@@falba1492 yes I would have to agree. I know some people with a Tikka in the 300 WSM or WM, but was never able to set up a day to try it out and see how the recoil was on a light rifle with no brake. It isn’t too bad to carry here in West Virginia but I haven’t taken it out west in the mountains yet.
@@TheWVgoodguy22 - I don’t like brakes. I already have a bit of hearing damage from years of shooting, and brakes make the problem even worse. Also, there’s noting worse at the range than being blasted by the person next to you. I prefer to use a PAST recoil pad, and even my 338 Win Mag can be shot 100 rounds no problem.
I think cartridge choice here for non-reloaders is heavily dependent on available commercial loadings and projected market longevity. If the round is currently a hot ticket but only a flash in the pan over the long run, the non-reloader is going to be stuck with a rifle that has limited ammo availability and variety, greatly limiting what they can do with such versatile rifles.
Oh the thing you mentioned about a flash tube being used for front ignition? The Navy uses that system in some of their AA auto cannon, 20 or 30 mm. Not sure which.
I bought a Browning BLR in 300wm last year (2020) I would’ve preferred it in the 300wsm but for some reason there weren’t any available here at that particular time.
Love your videos Ron Please keep up the good work. I recently bought a M 70 Winchester chambered in 300 WSM and it is quickly becoming my favorite big game cartridge. Lots of power, flat shooting, and accurate and with felt recoil less than many 06's I've shot. This round should be enough for big game everywhere with a good bullet in the right hands. I sure hope it sticks around.
This is really a very informative piece Ron. Thank you. I guess, for me I like the idea of getting rid of that problematic belt. The darn thing is so prone to case head separation that it's just not something I want to deal with. It was needed at the time the cartridge debuted but chamber design has changed for the better. I still like it but I like the WSM a lot more.
I already owned my Browning BPR in 300WM when the 300SWM came out. Plus the fact the earlier ones were made in Belgium just put me to far in to make a change.....🤠 I the words of another famous Utuber.... Is it enough of a difference to make a difference? You be the judge. Nice piece Ron....🤠
300 WSM is a TAD slower, but more inherently accurate. The 300 wsm can also be used on an ar10 lower. KAK industries sells a 300 WSM upper for about a thousand bucks. Expensive, but worth it. I built an ar10 upper in 300 WSM for a tad less and I love it.
I miss my 300 H&H. It's definitely longer than the short mags, but in my pre 64 model 70, with a tapered cartridge & controlled round feed, i could chamber another round smoothly, & without risk of my round bouncing or falling out of the action while moving or chambering in awkward positions.
Have had many necks break on the 300wsm after first reload. Have many 300 wm with no case problems. Shooting 180g Nosler partitions . 73 grains of 4350 in both
👍🇺🇸 I just built a 300 WSM in LR308 platform with a 26.5" barrel. Magnum gas and adjustable gas block. The 300WSM with a few fluted inches makes a difference. And I use a 308 magazine. 👍💪😉
The 300 WSM by being a shorter case also has a little more barrel to get the pressure up as well as that shorter burn column. I am sure the shoulder has a better seal when fired as well. A few little things all at once make it a more efficient case.
7:45 I don't know every variable that leads to "efficiency" but I would guess one is how wide the powder charge is. 45 acp is the most efficient pistol caliber in terms of kinetic energy per psi of chamber pressure (500-600footpounds/21000-23000psi). Since both 300s use the same bullet maybe the short one having a more broadly dispersed powder charge leads to a better pressure curve?
Yes, the 300 WSM is loaded to a slightly higher pressure then then 300winmag because of rifles build in the 60's or rechambered in the 60's to chamber the 300winmag are better off not taking 65,000 psi, unlike rifles built for the 300wsm in 2001 and after are safer to shoot higher pressure. There were plenty of 30'06 rifles from the 20's and 30's and 40's rechambered for the 300winmag, thus the pressure must be kept down for safety sake's. I reload both the 300 wsm and the 300winmag and the 300wim mag always outruns ( by 100+ fps ) the wsm with 200-230 gr bullets.
Dear Ron. I have recently developed an interest in wildlife photography, and was wondering if you might have any book recommendations. I do plan on reading all of your photography blogs, you write great articles over there.
Thanks for an informative video. My own, neophyte $0.02 on the difference between Win Mag and Short Mag is that someone probably wanted to make a cartridge that would fit Magnum performance into a short action, such as the short action Remington 700 and similar rifles.
Great video. I shoot a 7 mm WSM, Model 70, good shooter. You mention feeding problems I may have a unicorn I’ve never had any issues. I believe I’ve had mine probably 15 years.? Yeah, I hand load for mune
How you mention powder efficiency makes me think of what I know about engines: higher compression ratio means more combustion chamber pressure/more complete fuel burn= more power forcing the piston down. Seems like if the powder efficiency goes up so does chamber pressure seen as muzzle velocity.
one of my buddys has both and he hates his wsm because it realy kicks like a mule even more then his standard win mag ...why probably because its a faster burning powder and more compact to and more pressure but i always liked the long action classic stuff
If they are using identical bullets and the WSM is slightly slower it is impossible for the wind drift to be less for the WSM. I suspect they were accidently switched. If this has already been called out I apologize. Other than that I love this channel, keep up the good work.
The other thing to consider is availability of factory ammunition under normal circumstances. Most are going to be reloaders but in the unlikely event you need to buy hunting ammunition what are the local stores going to most likely have available. In my elk camp this year all but one has 300WM. I do think there is a great case to be made for the 300WSM.
I have a 300 win mag in a tikka. Mostly got 300wm because I didn’t have any wsm brass and the wm is a little better with heavier bullets. Shooting up to 190s and 200s, theres not much difference between them
@@whiteyfisk9769 my Tikka has been kinda weird and doesn’t really like to shoot better than 1.5” at 100 with any of my loads, but it’ll always shoot 1.5” with everything. It seems the 200 grain eldx has shot the best so far. I was able to get a couple 1” groups with it in load dev and it has been very accurate at longer ranges. The 200 eldx may not stabilize if you are at lower elevations though due to the 1:11 twist rate ETA: I have also tried 190 ABLR and 180 sst and those are both consistent 1.5” groups at 100
Another good video. I have a 300 WinMag and am happy with it. I see no reason to buy a WSM. If I was starting from scratch, I would have to think hard about which one I wanted. The action length is not an issue for me. My primary hunting rifle for 26 years has been a Ruger All Weather Mark II in 30-06. I am used to the long action.
If you don't reload the 300 WSM is a far better choice even at the peak of the ammo shortage every shop I went to had tons of WSM ammo and ZERO WM ammo.
All i can say is up here in canada is if you relaod or not you will always find brass and shells for the 300win anywhere you go. With wsm its really hit or miss
Price of ammunition weight and brass availability makes a large difference too! Great video very informative! I always dinged WSM because I thought it was weaker than the WM and the PRC (precision rifle cartridge) is great for long range competition shooting!
Can’t for the life of me figure why the 270 wsm isn’t more popular. I love mine and it’s stupid accurate out to 500 yards which is as far as I’ll ever need to shoot.
Only thing I would add is accuracy. My experience with both, I can say the the 300 wsm shoots factory ammo very well, all of it. Never owned one, but my brother owned two, usually I'm asked to sight in the rifles in camp. I was impressed the 300 wsm.tight groups with anything I shot through it. I've shot alot of 300 win mags and can't say that.The guys who own and get the best accuracy are reloaders who worked loads
@@cornpopishuntersrealdaddy4690 I dont personally hand load . That being said my father in law hand loads a lot . I had him work up Nosler 100g Partition . I'll pick up some of the Ballistic Tips and try it out for sure. Thanks
I’m in my early 20s and finally getting into big game hunting. I picked up a Weatherby Vangaurd in 300 win mag and a lot of my decisions and recent knowledge have come from things I’ve learned watching this channel. Thanks Ron!
Congrats! You actually have a rebadged Howa 1500! Probably the best budget bolt action there is! I have a Mueller 8-32 target master, 20 moa one piece scope base, a knox axiom stock- suspension locked up-, and a howitzer style muzzle break on mine. I can run 60rds through it, no shoulder pain what so ever.
Should of got the 300 Weatherby if it's just for big game but if target or long range shooting u made the right decision 300 wm bullets ain't cheap but they not Weatherby high
Yea man. I'm in the same boat just getting started big game hunting. But got a 7 mag. I try to learn something every time I go out
Good pick for both!
The Weatherby Vanguard Howa 1500, great rifle/s. I bought a .308 Howa for my son and .243 Howa for my daughter. Both are very accurate.
Being 74 years old,
I inherited a Springfield 03 in the 30-06 from my Dad and took my first Deer in Utah when I was 12 years old. That rifle became very important to me after my Dad passed away , I had taken Russian Boars and a lot of deer with that gun. I was going Elk hunting and Colorado and bought the Remington 700 in the 300WSM and reloaded 180 gr MRX Barns bullets. I got my Elk but passed up a monster that was 340 yards away with only a head shot available. When I returned I picked up a used 340 Weatherby and put a Vortex scope on it: I reloaded 250gr MRX bullets with the Reloader 33 powder. A few months later I had a cardiac arrest and upon recovery I had lost quite a bit of memory. That was back in 2018 Christmas and feel like I’ve recovered quite a bit. I should be getting my drivers license back soon. Both of my Sons spend a lot of time in Alaska working about the Brooks Range on oil rigs. One as a Directional Driller and the other as an Electrician. My oldest child is a girl who has a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering and works for the State of Virginia expanding an Interstate Highway. I hope someday to have Grandchildren but none of them are married yet.Thank you for taking the time to read this and God Bless.
I went with the 300 wsm when deciding between the 2. Can't go wrong with either one. It and the 30/06 are my go to rifle calibers for big game.
They're the same caliber.
@@TexanUSMC8089 yeah .308, one just has a little more gas. ⛽
Thanks Ron for all you do! I hunt with both the 300 win Mag and the 300 WSM. Both have performed well with loads that I have worked up. Nearing 60 years of age I wish I could hunt for another 60!
I wish you could to, enjoy every day.
Guys I have both , never had a feeding with the 300wsm. I have been running it for years and love it so much , I gave my custom Remington in 300WM to my son.
I get 3008 fps from a 180 grain Trophy Bonded Tipped over H4350 from a 22 3/4" barreled 300 wsm. It's a lightweight, fairly compact rifle....a real pleasure to carry and shoots sub moa.
Holy moly. What action/ overall length? Brass life alright? I know that’s not the priority if hunting.
Try RE17 for shits and giggles … way more speed than 4350
@@wesleyturner1979 I found it to be dirty and inaccurate. I do want to try 16 though.
@@jcarry5214 I get crazy speed with it. I have some H4350 but never tried working up good loads due to the slow speeds. Accuracy with my re17 is about 1” but I’ve had loads that are under 1” with it. Maybe I’ll give the 4350 another go.
@@wesleyturner1979 -I did try RL17...nearly 3100 fps before pressure signs appeared...however poor accuracy in my particular rifle (rem 700 ss). RL19 also gave good velocity/accuracy.
Great Video with some good information.... I picked up a winchester model 70 in the 300 wsm. With the 24 inch barrel. I'm shooting a 150 grain bullet. Very happy with the Gun and caliber... Thanks
The key factor in the decision to choose a 300WSM vs a 300WM should be ammo source. If you are a reloader and you like a short action go with 300WSM, if you depend on factory ammo go with 300WM. Also, if you wish to run very heavy bullets like 200gr+ go with the 300WM. Many 300WSM’s are chambered with 1:11 twist (Sako & Tikka) while most 300WM’s are chambered with 1:10 twist… which is part of the reason why 300WM accommodates the longer heavier bullets better.
sako/tikka still chamber wm with 11 twist, even on the trgs.
The WSM is said to burn its powder faster in a shorter barrel,where as the older long column of powder require a longer barrel to produce best velocities.
A short mag uses a more explosive powder where the standard 300 uses a slower burning power. Why shortmags tend to have more recoil.
@@davidwatkins767
Not true. It has to do with a wider diameter allowing for faster burn plus the angle of the shoulder. The WSM typically has a lower recoil than the WM.
@northtoalaska8058 not a thing you said is accurate. i own both short mag is way worse, and it does indeed use a faster burning powder.
@@davidwatkins767recoil measurements show the wsm has less recoil force....
I absolutely love the 300wsm. The big difference I see is ammo availability. Where many shops routinely stock the 300 win mag the wsm is typically more challenging to find. As for the other wsm cartridges, the 325wsm is another I have come to enjoy but ammo is all but impossible to find and when you do find some it's expensive
I stocked up last season on ammo when I found some it was a grind but deals can be found. Don’t give up.
I stumbled upon five boxes of 165 grain Federal fusion 300 WSM last summer. I bought them all!
Almost positive 325 has been discontinued
I've been using the 300WSM almost exclusively since 2006. A 300WSM throwing a 180 Accubond has knocked down a lot of critters.
Samezees ..... My go too caliber for sure last week me and a friend brought a 180 out to 1200 meters
What’s the biggest you’ve taken with the accubond and how did it preform?
@@IceColdMilk69 I've shot 4 moose with it- recovered 1 bullet on the offside hide. Everything else exited. I've shot 2 fairly large black bears and a lot of caribou.
@@IceColdMilk69 I’m not running a 300WSM but a 30-06 and my 165 gr Accubonds have taken 5 elk, 1 black bear, 6 whitetail, and 2 mule deer. A 180 going a bit faster will only be better than my 30-06.
What rifle you have it in
It comes down to picking the correct burn rate to tailor for your case dimensions and your barrel length. The longer magnums will make more velocity (more powder does equal more speed) but you need more barrel length than most hunters want to carry to take advantage of it.
I now hunt with a 243 more than any other caliber and it's probably my favorite caliber. That being said, I did at one time own a 300 win mag and had a 200 acre hunting club in Alabama. I had deer, 3 bucks and unlimited does each year, hogs, you name it. I have to say that there was never a tracking job with that cartridge. It was exciting knowing that if I could get my cross hair on an animal, it was game over lol. I would walk straight to it. I really have no idea why I haven't bought another one. Especially since I'm blessed to hunt behind my house now. You know what? I believe I will. 😏👍
You also can typically have a shorter barrel length with the WSM compared to the old win mag, since the WSM burns powder more evenly and effeciently
Yes indeed. Looking at Winchesters offerings in model 70 for these chamberings, the old Win Mag comes with 2" more barrel length than the WSM in the same model. So there is actually a point the WSM has over the old mag if the buyer is looking for a bit lighter weight rifle
As I understand it, the WSM must have a minimum of a 24 inch barrel, in order to achieve the same velocities as the WinMag. I remember reading that in the literature when the 300 WSM first came out.
Ron, I’m glad you mentioned the 300 PRC. It’s funny how we’ve made a full circle back to the magnum action of the 300 H&H.
Because I reload, I love the efficiency (which I define as ft/sec per grain of powder) of the 300 H&H and 300 WSM. The 300 Win Mag is my least favorite of the 300 magnums, but it’s still a classic.
i usely hit what i aim for under 120 m. 300 h&h the action do not need a second shoot,do no not what the fuss is about,if you want a second shoot buy a good under&over they are good fun in 308
Another great video Mr. Spomer, thank you. Another thing about the WSM that pertains to we reloaders is that steep shoulder. Make sure and use enough case lube when resizing as that steep shoulder can be pushed back a bit easier than some others if you're a little short on case lube. But then the classic belted mag brings its own little set of idiosyncrasies to the reloading bench as well. Thanks Ron and good luck in the upcoming season!
I have a 300 WSM and love it ! Ballistic twin to the 300 WinMag just like Ron said. I have the 325 WSM also and not sure why it didn't catch on since it is a in a sense a 8mm Mauser short.
It always baffles me that so many cartridges have been developed and marketed and continue to be produced. The 300 WSM/RSAUM/RCM/Win. Mag./PRC/Wby. Mag all existing at the same time is amazing. I just can’t see that there is enough difference between them to justify it but it is fun to have options
Thats true even the newer bigger 30s only are a little faster because of bigger free bore. Its all the same.
You live in a capitalist country?
@@Starsky1413 Canada, not sure what to call it right now
Now Weatherby AND Nosler have their own cartridges, the .300 Win Mag’s ammo cost and availability are HUGE factor. And it’s the reason I’ll always choose it as THE magnum .30 cartridge. It’s the clear winner when taking the actual ammo in to consideration. Affording and finding it matters a whole lot, sure there’s bandleaders who don’t care. But the majority of hunters buy their ammo, with that being said it makes the .300 Win Mag the superior choice.
Its similar to the archery market. They are all similar. Sometimes its just the brand you love..
Ron I have both and in the field there is no difference. The main difference is what you mentioned in the rifle. I have an A Bolt 11 Stainless Stalker in 300WSM. It's a shorter and lighter rifle with a 23" barrel. I have a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather in 300 Win Mag which has a 26" barrel. Both handle very differently and the A Bolt 11 is the lighter rifle. Both are great and nearly every rifle manufacturer puts out the 300WSM. In a bolt action it's just different strokes with these two equally great calibres (pardon the pun). Thanks for sharing!
Great video also if you drop to a 165 grain bullet the wsm actually out performs the 300 win mag
"Yes"!! I do love my 300 wsm! It's a preference for each! Thank you sir, for all your knowledge which you share with us!
Kiitos!
Thanks!
Nice one Ron, I love my 270wsm, nice smooth round that won’t beat me up, good enough for big game to 400 for me.
I’ve got a 270WSM in the Remington 700 and I’ve started to do my best to improve it. I’ve bought a new carbon barrel and a new stock. I’ve always loved the way it shoots and I’m hoping to make it just that much better.
@@russvaagen3004 sounds like a great build, make some some nice hand loads for it and it will shoot the lights out 👍
I run a 270wsm also. Like the extra velocity over the regular 270 for use with monolithic bullets on big game. Recoil seems on par with a 30-06 more so than a true magnum, which I like. I’ve never shot an animal beyond about 325 yards.
@@phild9813 love mono bullets, I swear by them, I find them to be great within sensible hunting distance👍🤙
@@phild9813 I find that the recoil is solid, but less sharp than my S&W 1500 (Howa 1500) 30/06. Which probably means the velocity of the recoil is a bit less. It’s a pleasure to shoot. My 325 WSM on the other hand is great, but after a 5 shot group you know you’ve done something.
I have the 300wsm from the Remington 700 platform. It's a fantastic gun. I'm not the tallest guy in the world so the short action does me well. The gun is accurate and VERY powerful. Throwing an 180gr bullet at almost 3000fps is insane.
Not a short action model 7 is.
My preference is for a short action. So 300 WSM would be my choice.
Both are very capable cartridges.
300WSM is by far my favourite caliber. It is extremely versatile. You can get it to provide near belted magnum velocity with less recoil than you might think... I load 168gr Barnes TTSX bullets to 3000fps muzzle velocity with a very modest charge of H4350. That is 126fps below published maximum. By going with a lighter bullet and keeping the velocity well below maximum in a short action rifle you get the sensation that you are shooting a 30/06 or even a .308 not a magnum because the recoil is rather tame. In a quality rifle this cartridge is also very accurate and not too picky with charge weights and powder choice. with this 300WSM load energy doesn't drop below 1500ft-lb until 550yds. vs 450yds for a 30/06 and 350yds for a .308. pushing the same bullet. I have shot 30/06 loads that kick like a mule compared to my 300WSM. Give it a try... 300WSM is all you will ever need for North American game.
Tbh, same. I never noticed the recoil until I'm bench shooting with it. But when I'm out and about hunting with it (i.e. shooting free hand, branch, trigger stick), there is no recoil noticeable. Though, having 3 layers of clothing will help, along with a cheek rest on the stock of the rifle.
I agree, on all you wrote, you Saved me the time to comply.
Ya man! I have a tikka t3x stainless in 300 wsm. Very accurate but it kicked pretty good so I got my gunsmith to put his custom brake on it and now it feels less than a 30-06 with a limbsaver pad
@@Kmecha84 Great idea!... I recently put many rounds down mine practicing long range shooting and yes... it sure boots more than my 308 with a brake... I can handle recoil and make the practice hits on targets out to 600m but... the follow through and spotting hits is nearly impossible. Im gonna do the same as you and put a brake on it... not for the first shot... but for the follow through! Being able to keep your eyes on the prey after taking the shot is pretty important for maximizing your chances for successful recovery!
@@briant7652 I have not had any chambering or headspace issues whatsoever. I use RCBS full length sizing die and im getting .003 shoulder bump. The rifle is a Sako A7.
Thank you for solid advice, looking at a 300 WM atm.
I bought the .270 wsm back in 2001 and I love it except for the cost of ammo but I hand load for mine and the brass is getting pretty hard to find. Still great cartridges in my opinion
Yes they are pretty evenly matched. The short magnum is a bit more fuel efficient. I am very happy with my old .300 Win. Mag. I have been using it for a long time.
Hey Ron I been watching for a while now and I can’t believe the wealth of knowledge on this channel!! This is my favorite channel on RUclips and when I get on and see you have posted a new video I actually get excited to set down and watch it. Great content love the channel thanks for doing what you do
Thank you Terry. Glad you're enjoying.
Just subscribed and glad I found the channel!
When comparing the long actions to short actions everyone mentions the shorter bolt throw. I’ve never considered that quicker bolt throw important at most ranges that we use a bolt gun. The main reason I like a short action is when mounting my scopes I have quite a bit more room within my rings for eye relief. Rarely does that get mentioned.
That makes a lot more sense. Now I see one reason some people like the shorter stuff.
Good point, but the rings issue can usually be addressed with extended rings (rarely needed on standard length actions, but often on true magnums) or different scope lengths. Of course, if you have/love a short scope and insist on it, a short-action should more easily accommodate.
I’ve been sold on the 300WSM for over 15 years now. I just started LR shooting and bought a Savage 110 Elite Precision in 308Win. It never had the 1st 308Win round through it before being rechambered for 300WSM... With my current reloads, it’s shooting “bugholes” at 200yds while I’m working up loads for 1500 (and longer) yards...!!!
It's not that the primer is "closer to the center of the column", in fact, the primer of the longer case covers more center area of the case head. The efficiency of the WSM lies in a wider powder column where more powder burns sooner and more uniformly. A "24 barrel ensures all the powder is completely burned, albeit with less powder in the case. Love my Tikka T3 300 WSM. Great show Ron!
An absolute gem of a rifle. Matched with Winchester ballistic silver tip perfect combo
It's like buying a new truck. Chevy, GMC, Ford, Ram, Toyota etc...Most people have a favorite. Is a red truck better than a blue truck? My guess is, only if you like red better than blue. LOL The difference between some of these cartridges are small. If you're going elk hunting and you want a new rifle...decide what barrel length your willing to haul around. 30 Nosler, 300 Wby Mag, 300 RUM, 300 PRC, 300 WM, 300 WSM etc...they'll all probably do what you need to do. I have friends that are capable of making longer shots than I can. That's ok though. I do my best to stay within my own ability, and shoot the rifle and cartridge I like, or can afford. I have a 300WSM, so there's no need to go buy a new rifle...unless I just want a new one. lol Great video Ron. Thanks.
Ron, you’re a good guy. I appreciate you and your videos. Thank you very much for everything you do for the firearm/hunting community.
OK now I'm ready for the comparison between the 300 WSM vs 300 PRC.
🤔 So many choices!
Thanks Ron 👍 Love your channel ❤️
ruclips.net/video/Rjz1rhcRMfg/видео.html
@@trg3761 Thank you! 👍
All I can really say, these two cartridges are so alike ballistically. The only differences are case length and diameter, and magazine capacity. You could get a slightly shorter rifle with the WSM, but not my much.
If there is any real advantage, long heavier bullets won't impede on the available powder space as much on the 300 Win Mag as opposed to the WSM.
You should do a video on the Remington ultra mags!
Yes he should i want to get one and i need to validate the urge
@@darrengarcia4937 You should probabaly buy at least one. Lol. I own a 300 rum and a 338 rum.
@@AndyAlaska375 yup im looking at a Fierce Rival Carbon in 300RUM.
@@darrengarcia4937 - I would not recommend a 300 RUM with a carbon barrel. You can easily experience over 40 ft/lbs of recoil energy with such a light rifle. With that amount of muzzle blast and recoil, I would just step up to a 338 WinMag.
@@AndyAlaska375Did he ever do the RUMs ?
the biggest difference is when you get up in bullet size. the larger bullets may shoot better in the 300 win mag because there is more room for powder when seating the bullet. you can work arround that sometimes with the WSM but your ammo may not fit in the mag anymore.
As a gunsmith and hunting guide/long range shooter and reloader I’ll say “Yes”
Both are amazing!
But the 300 mag wins. The wsm case expands sometimes to the point where the bolt gets stuck closed! We’ve had to use a rubber mallet many many times on the workbench.
300 WM I can’t remember ever having to do that.
Thank you, you're videos continue to please, educate & provoke thought.
I've used my .338 for decades - walrus, Brown bear, Grizzly, deer, caribou, etc.
Also hunt in Europe, but decide not to travel with the .338 there.
In Europe, I've used .300 Win mag & .300 RUM rifles on a variety of creatures.
The two .300's worked very well.
BTY, I really enjoyed the way the .300 RUM performed. It got my attention!
However, as much as I enjoyed those calibers in my European hunts, I'm still stuck on my .338 Win mag.
Of course, I'm used to it (comfort level), and I find no need to replace it.
You do so well detailing caliber differences. Thank you.
And, please keep it up the good work.
But, we study, we shoot & we clobber creatures. And we find that small, subtle differences don't really count in order to reduce a creature to ambient temperature.
Great video as always Ron. You could never go wrong with either cartridge. 300 WSM set a new 1000 yard world record recently. 10 shot 10x group measuring 2.64” . The topic of frontal ignition always gets my mind thinking until I remember the pain it would be to remove primers . I’m a huge fan of the WSM family of cartridges, the world needs for the 6.5 WSM to be commercialized and the 25 WSSM to be done rite as the 25 WSM .
The 25WSM is a mirror of the older tried and true 25/06 Remington. It has no ballistic advantage over the older longer cases 25 .Buying one is just for bragging but theres nothing to brag about. 257 WEATHERBY AND 25/06 REM ARE STILL ON TOP.
Love my 300wsm. Went with it after using an 06 for years. No problem one shotting moose and elk out to 500. Got a spike bull moose last week one shot at 375. It has the oomfe to drop then cold.
Recoil difference between 06 and wsm?
Good info. I think I am going WSM for that shorter action. Thanks. Can't find 300PRC ammo if I wanted too, but it was an option.
Feeding issues... yes I had this when hunting. When cycling in a hurry that second cartridge doesn't slide effortlessly into the chamber. For my gun, it is best to keep calm and cycle without haste. My receiver is M700 from Christensen Arms Classic. Great shooter by the way! It loves the Accubond LR 190g.
Good comparison been shooting my 06 for 20 years but did pick up a 300WSM 4 years ago. Have to say from a reloading point of view pretty close. Have killed deer and elk with both calibers and results were meat in the freezer!
I chose the 300 WSM, because supposedly, it would be kinder on my surgically repaired shoulder, as far as recoil goes. Still havent fired it yet, so that remains to be seen. Cant wait to send some rounds down range though!
I wanted to say thanks much. I have always considered these two as half a dozen of one, 6 of the other. Even one thing you didn't talk about was weapon weight isn't that much. I personally use the 300 WM on Elk and other large game in the same class.
The wind deflection at 300 is reversed, though it's irrelevant to practical hunting. And the real difference in newer cartridges is not the cartridge, it's the higher twist rate built into newer rifles. Much ado about not so much at the end of the day.
I agree - it makes no sense that the slower bullet (from the WSM) would have less wind deflection since it takes longer to get to 300 yards than than Win Mag and therefore the wind has more time to act on it.
Right, Todd. I transposed those two numbers. But, as you note, 0.2" is pffft!
@@RonSpomerOutdoors No worries - dancing on the head of a pin! Great video and thanks for all your great work.
Another great video Ron. One thing I think you didn't mention. The short actions are supposed "stiffer" than the long actions and flex less during discharge making them more accurate. Maybe that matters on a bench but I can't see it making any significant difference for hunting. Your point was well made that for practical hunting these calibers are identical. Please keep your videos coming.
Thankyou Ron
I personally think my 300WSM Tikka kicks less than my son's weatherby 300WM. I prefer the short action. We were both shooting 165 grains. Never had a feeding issue with the T3 or T3X super lite.
Yeah, there is about 11% less recoil with the WSM.
Yea whby has a thump on ya shoulder but 200 fps.faster than win mag ans wsm
Can’t wait to see you evaluate the 300 Ruger WC and PRC 300.
For most hunters, ammo availability and cost will make the biggest difference in choosing. LR handloading is a hobby all its own.
Ron the reson why I purchased a 300 wsm was comparing the 300wm compared the shorter bolt action also a fatter case better powder burning rate more equal. Another of the long range shooters are us8ng the 300 wsm . I have noticed it is less forgiving have to have good shooting form.
Have a M70 Extreme Weather in 300WSM. Was the short action for me; great rifle. Thanks for the vid!
The WSM's were brilliant marketing at the time. Yes the short action is lighter in general, but I've handled long or standard actions that were just as light and or within a couple ounces. One thing to keep in mind is some of the short mags don't feed so smoothly, not all but I have run across a few. I have not loaded for the .300 WSM, but have considerable experience loading and shooting the .325 WSM, .300 H&H, .300 Win mag, .300 Weatherby and a Wildcat called a .300 Cloward Super magnum based on the H&H case. And I have worked with the .300 Remington Ultra mag a little bit. Honestly, they will all work and work well. I'd be more concerned about the rifle and how it fits you for you're purposes than which cartridge name is stamped on the barrel. Having owned several, I don't want anything "lightweight " chambered in any of these, been there, done that, I'm good. In closing I will say that I have no problem getting over 3,100 fps with 180 grain Partitions in my own .300 Win mag (custome rifle, 26 inch barrel), haven't messed with anything heavier because nothing has stood up to it. If I need more I have bigger rifles to choose from. Though I have been a long range shooter for years, I am not a long range hunter, and 400 yards is no problem for my boringly reliable. 30-06. Nice video Ron, keep it up.
I must know about this .300 Cloward magnum!!!
@@georgewhitworth9742 HI Bradley, it's a Wildcat based off of the old belted H&H case. Think of it as a .300 Weatherby improved with no body taper, shorter neck, sharper shoulders moved forward with no freebore. I have gotten over 3,400 fps with 180 grain Partitions, accurately, but it's kind of too much of a good thing, and I am not a long range hunter. So I load 180's at 3,210 and 200's at 3,124. That should do anything you'd want a .30 cal. rifle to do. At the end of the day though, it's real hard to beat the old .300 Winchester Magnum. Especially if you consider ammo and loading components availability. In a pinch, with dies and a little work you can make a lot of different cases from other popular calibers based on the belted case. I have had to do this for the .350 Remington Magnum and the .308 Norma magnum, both easily made from 7mm Rem mag brass. Anyway, pick what you like and use it, what we shoot isn't near as important as how we shoot. Oh, almost forgot, on the Super mag, you can fire .300 Weatherby ammo in it, and the cases come out fire formed to the chamber. So in a pinch, if you loose your ammo, you can shoot factory. 300 Weatherby in it, if you can find it. 🙄. Personally my favorite is the .300 H&H, go figure. 🙂
@@larrybassett5559 Haha nice! I'm sorta keeping an eye out for rare or unusual chamberings to try out, and see if I can reload for. Thats partially what brought me to my own .300 H&H actually! I wanted a pretty good moose gun for up here in Alaska, but wanted something a little more special then a .300 Win Mag, haha. Actually hoping to find a rifle or a company that can custom make a rifle in the .275 H&H, so I can have a .270ish chambering, haha
Are there any rifler makers/currently available rifles in the .300 Cloward per chance?
@@georgewhitworth9742 unfortunately he is retired, and I have never seen another on Gunbroker. I have seen a few mentions of it on the campfire but it's not terribly popular. .300 Weatherby would be easier and close in ballistics. For all around use and availability I'd stick with the old .300 Win mag.
I know my Dad ended up going with the regular 300 win due to pricing and availability on WSM brass and factory ammo.
Buying 300 wsm brass is nuts. When I first got mine I got a bunch of Federal and saved the brass
Where are you shopping that WN is available? I haven't found factory loads in over a year other than corelokt 300 wsm ammo is everywhere and factory ammo is the same price or cheaper than WM.
A good comparison and you really can’t go wrong with either one of those two. My Dad has had a Winchester M70 in .300 Win Mag and has shot multiple whitetail 350 yards and in. Not many places in WV and PA that you can shoot further. Usually under 100.
Two years ago before we went out to Idaho for a mule deer hunt I was looking into getting a .30 caliber to compliment my .270 Win. I have been looking at the .300 WSM in a Tikka T3X for years when I use to work at Cabela’s. But I was open to anything from the .308 up to the .300 Weatherby and Rem Ultra Mags, even a 338 Win (thinking about elk). When I found a new Savage M110 Long Range Hunter in .300 WSM for $565 down from $900 I jumped on it. Even though it is 8.4 lbs naked vs 6.5 in the Tikka.
It shoots the 180-200 grain class rather well whether it be the Hornady GMX or ELD-X or Berger Hybrid Hunters, I need to reload some 180 Nosler Accubonds too.
Id say that 6.5lb’er would be brutal. Thats crazy light for a big magnum. Which when hunting, you probably wouldnt notice but you sure would at the bench.
You really don’t want a magnum rifle that weighs less than 8 1/2 pounds. John, is absolutely right. You would end up not practicing enough, and not becoming proficient with the rifle. My Tikka magnums are in GRS stocks to add some weight.
@@John_Redcorn_ yes I would agree especially since it didn’t come with a muzzle brake or a threaded muzzle to put one on to reduce recoil. Which would be as you mentioned beneficial at the bench. Whether one reloads or is trying multiple factory options to find the best one for their rifle.
@@falba1492 yes I would have to agree. I know some people with a Tikka in the 300 WSM or WM, but was never able to set up a day to try it out and see how the recoil was on a light rifle with no brake.
It isn’t too bad to carry here in West Virginia but I haven’t taken it out west in the mountains yet.
@@TheWVgoodguy22 - I don’t like brakes. I already have a bit of hearing damage from years of shooting, and brakes make the problem even worse. Also, there’s noting worse at the range than being blasted by the person next to you. I prefer to use a PAST recoil pad, and even my 338 Win Mag can be shot 100 rounds no problem.
I think cartridge choice here for non-reloaders is heavily dependent on available commercial loadings and projected market longevity. If the round is currently a hot ticket but only a flash in the pan over the long run, the non-reloader is going to be stuck with a rifle that has limited ammo availability and variety, greatly limiting what they can do with such versatile rifles.
Oh the thing you mentioned about a flash tube being used for front ignition? The Navy uses that system in some of their AA auto cannon, 20 or 30 mm. Not sure which.
That was a very good and objective comparison, thanks Ron! Enjoyed it.
I bought a Browning BLR in 300wm last year (2020)
I would’ve preferred it in the 300wsm but for some reason there weren’t any available here at that particular time.
Love your videos Ron Please keep up the good work. I recently bought a M 70 Winchester chambered in 300 WSM and it is quickly becoming my favorite big game cartridge. Lots of power, flat shooting, and accurate and with felt recoil less than many 06's I've shot. This round should be enough for big game everywhere with a good bullet in the right hands. I sure hope it sticks around.
This is really a very informative piece Ron. Thank you. I guess, for me I like the idea of getting rid of that problematic belt. The darn thing is so prone to case head separation that it's just not something I want to deal with. It was needed at the time the cartridge debuted but chamber design has changed for the better. I still like it but I like the WSM a lot more.
11:00 -2.3" drop at 300 yards? what range was it zero'd at? 250 yards? (Is that about 3-3.5" high at 100?)
I should have included the zero ranges. I think they were about 270 yards, roughly 2.5" high at 100.
I already owned my Browning BPR in 300WM when the 300SWM came out.
Plus the fact the earlier ones were made in Belgium just put me to far in to make a change.....🤠
I the words of another famous Utuber.... Is it enough of a difference to make a difference?
You be the judge.
Nice piece Ron....🤠
300 WSM is a TAD slower, but more inherently accurate. The 300 wsm can also be used on an ar10 lower. KAK industries sells a 300 WSM upper for about a thousand bucks. Expensive, but worth it. I built an ar10 upper in 300 WSM for a tad less and I love it.
I miss my 300 H&H. It's definitely longer than the short mags, but in my pre 64 model 70, with a tapered cartridge & controlled round feed, i could chamber another round smoothly, & without risk of my round bouncing or falling out of the action while moving or chambering in awkward positions.
Have had many necks break on the 300wsm after first reload. Have many 300 wm with no case problems. Shooting 180g Nosler partitions . 73 grains of 4350 in both
👍🇺🇸 I just built a 300 WSM in LR308 platform with a 26.5" barrel. Magnum gas and adjustable gas block. The 300WSM with a few fluted inches makes a difference. And I use a 308 magazine. 👍💪😉
Less weight of the rifle/ short action is the biggest difference. Love both of them.
If you have to have a short-action rifle, the 300 wsm is the way to go. That's it.
Thank you Ron.
The 300 WSM by being a shorter case also has a little more barrel to get the pressure up as well as that shorter burn column. I am sure the shoulder has a better seal when fired as well. A few little things all at once make it a more efficient case.
7:45 I don't know every variable that leads to "efficiency" but I would guess one is how wide the powder charge is. 45 acp is the most efficient pistol caliber in terms of kinetic energy per psi of chamber pressure (500-600footpounds/21000-23000psi). Since both 300s use the same bullet maybe the short one having a more broadly dispersed powder charge leads to a better pressure curve?
Yes, the 300 WSM is loaded to a slightly higher pressure then then 300winmag because of rifles build in the 60's or rechambered in the 60's to chamber the 300winmag are better off not taking 65,000 psi, unlike rifles built for the 300wsm in 2001 and after are safer to shoot higher pressure. There were plenty of 30'06 rifles from the 20's and 30's and 40's rechambered for the 300winmag, thus the pressure must be kept down for safety sake's. I reload both the 300 wsm and the 300winmag and the 300wim mag always outruns ( by 100+ fps ) the wsm with 200-230 gr bullets.
Dear Ron.
I have recently developed an interest in wildlife photography, and was wondering if you might have any book recommendations. I do plan on reading all of your photography blogs, you write great articles over there.
Look for The Big Book of Wildlife & Nature Photography by Russell Graves
Awesome review!! I’m thinking about a 300 for 300 yd +. Leaning towards WSM!!
I have owned both , sticking with the 300WM, I have had feeding issues with the WSM due to that sharp shoulder in both a sako and a browning rifle
Thanks for an informative video. My own, neophyte $0.02 on the difference between Win Mag and Short Mag is that someone probably wanted to make a cartridge that would fit Magnum performance into a short action, such as the short action Remington 700 and similar rifles.
Great video. I shoot a 7 mm WSM, Model 70, good shooter. You mention feeding problems I may have a unicorn I’ve never had any issues. I believe I’ve had mine probably 15 years.? Yeah, I hand load for mune
How you mention powder efficiency makes me think of what I know about engines: higher compression ratio means more combustion chamber pressure/more complete fuel burn= more power forcing the piston down. Seems like if the powder efficiency goes up so does chamber pressure seen as muzzle velocity.
one of my buddys has both and he hates his wsm because it realy kicks like a mule even more then his standard win mag ...why probably because its a faster burning powder and more compact to and more pressure but i always liked the long action classic stuff
Thank you Ron for doing a review on 300 WSM. Not a whole lot of info on the cartridge and I appreciate your input on it.
Glad it was helpful!
If they are using identical bullets and the WSM is slightly slower it is impossible for the wind drift to be less for the WSM. I suspect they were accidently switched. If this has already been called out I apologize. Other than that I love this channel, keep up the good work.
The other thing to consider is availability of factory ammunition under normal circumstances. Most are going to be reloaders but in the unlikely event you need to buy hunting ammunition what are the local stores going to most likely have available. In my elk camp this year all but one has 300WM. I do think there is a great case to be made for the 300WSM.
I still hunt with a 300 H&H. Love it
Thanks Ron! Just asked for this video last week!
Perfect!
Ron I really enjoy watching your videos . Your the knowledge really shows.
I have a 300 win mag in a tikka. Mostly got 300wm because I didn’t have any wsm brass and the wm is a little better with heavier bullets. Shooting up to 190s and 200s, theres not much difference between them
Out of curiosity, which bullets does your Tikka 300 like the best?
@@whiteyfisk9769 my Tikka has been kinda weird and doesn’t really like to shoot better than 1.5” at 100 with any of my loads, but it’ll always shoot 1.5” with everything. It seems the 200 grain eldx has shot the best so far. I was able to get a couple 1” groups with it in load dev and it has been very accurate at longer ranges. The 200 eldx may not stabilize if you are at lower elevations though due to the 1:11 twist rate
ETA: I have also tried 190 ABLR and 180 sst and those are both consistent 1.5” groups at 100
good to hear you believe its going to be here for a long time. i was scared of that i love my 300wsm
Another good video. I have a 300 WinMag and am happy with it. I see no reason to buy a WSM. If I was starting from scratch, I would have to think hard about which one I wanted. The action length is not an issue for me. My primary hunting rifle for 26 years has been a Ruger All Weather Mark II in 30-06. I am used to the long action.
If you don't reload the 300 WSM is a far better choice even at the peak of the ammo shortage every shop I went to had tons of WSM ammo and ZERO WM ammo.
@@Irishjay1025 it's the opposite for me because where I am no one wants to shoot 300 Win Mag
All i can say is up here in canada is if you relaod or not you will always find brass and shells for the 300win anywhere you go. With wsm its really hit or miss
I have a BAR mark 111 in 300wsm love it feeds nicely likes light bullets. Usual load 168 gr bullets
The 300 Weatherby is my favorite 30 cal magnum, and the 30-06 is my favorite non-magnum 30 cal.
Price of ammunition weight and brass availability makes a large difference too! Great video very informative! I always dinged WSM because I thought it was weaker than the WM and the PRC (precision rifle cartridge) is great for long range competition shooting!
Can’t for the life of me figure why the 270 wsm isn’t more popular. I love mine and it’s stupid accurate out to 500 yards which is as far as I’ll ever need to shoot.
Only thing I would add is accuracy. My experience with both, I can say the the 300 wsm shoots factory ammo very well, all of it. Never owned one, but my brother owned two, usually I'm asked to sight in the rifles in camp. I was impressed the 300 wsm.tight groups with anything I shot through it.
I've shot alot of 300 win mags and can't say that.The guys who own and get the best accuracy are reloaders who worked loads
16" 6ARC Gas Gun , 20" 308 and 22" 300WSM are my 3 favorites for hunting medium to large game. Nosler Partition and Edge TLR are my go too ammo
@@cornpopishuntersrealdaddy4690 I dont personally hand load . That being said my father in law hand loads a lot . I had him work up Nosler 100g Partition .
I'll pick up some of the Ballistic Tips and try it out for sure. Thanks