.300 WSM or .300 Win Mag

[smchop]

I have experience with the .300 Win Mag, looking to see if any one out there has experience with hopefully both. Looking at building a new heavy rifle and it'll be one of those two chambers, just don't know which. If I go Win Mag it'll be set up to shoot the Berger 230's. The WSM I don't know what I would run but heavier the better for me. I want to set it up for mostly LR shooting but will double as a hunting rifle for a couple weeks out of the year. Either way weight will be a consideration while being built. Let me know your input on the WSM or if you have experience with both then your comparison of the two. Thanks.

[encorehunter]

The win mag has more energy. The wsm is closer to the .300 h&h in energy. The wsm is nice because of the short action which saves about a pound of weight. I shoot 180s in both of mine, and both shoot well. The win mag is more powerful, but I don't know that an animal would know the difference.

[smchop]

The win mag has more energy. The wsm is closer to the .300 h&h in energy. The wsm is nice because of the short action which saves about a pound of weight. I shoot 180s in both of mine, and both shoot well. The win mag is more powerful, but I don't know that an animal would know the difference.

Ever tried shooting anything heavier, maybe towards the 210's? Like I said, it'll spend a couple weeks hunting but mostly LR shooting. Thanks

[encorehunter]

I haven't shot anything other than the 180s. After I purchased my rifle, my father bought .300wsm with 650 rounds of ammo with it, all 180s. Needless to say, it is a lifetime of hunting ammo.

[C Ward]

Build a 7 , the bullets available leave 30 cal in the dust and will kill anything in North America.

[smchop]

Build a 7 , the bullets available leave 30 cal in the dust and will kill anything in North America.

Seems the 7's run heavies at about 180? What kind of energy do they have out past 1K for ringing steel etc.? Thanks

[smchop]

Build a 7 , the bullets available leave 30 cal in the dust and will kill anything in North America.

So along the way of this whole which 30 cal to build I ended up with a 7mm SAUM, thanks C Ward, and in the end I decided on a dedicated hunting rifle and will have Bugholes spin me up a barrel for my Surgeon switch barrel. The hunting rig is just about ready, few finishing touches, LRI handled all the real work though. I was able to buy out a guy that was getting out of the 7mm game and was able to get some Nosler brass, Redding Comp. dies, and some Berger 180's to get things rolling. Remember being young and swearing those new shoes you just got made you faster? I swear I look at this rifle and think there is no game animal safe this season if I have the tag for it! Thanks for everyones input, I still have a KMW Sentinel stock inlet for a long action with DBM and a Bartlein 1:8 twist .30 cal barrel to build a .30 something when I'm ready for that, been thinking Norma Mag. But who knows, for now I have a couple rifles to get loads developed for and data on to finish out this year. Heres a quick look at my 7mm SAUM hunting rig.

Remington 700
Proof CF 7mm finished at 22"
McMillan HTG w/PT&G DBM
Accurate SAUM Magazine
Harris 6-9 SBRM
Nightforce scope rail
Timney CE trigger
8.6 lbs as pictured

[C Ward]

A 7 with one of the new heavies is supersonic past a mile depending on atmosphere . Would have to run the numbers on energy when I'm at the house .

Depending on velocity a heavy 7 will shoot inside of my 338 Lapua with 300s.

BC on the 180 - 190 gr 7s is as good or better than the 230 - 240 gr 30s with a rifle that doesn't beat you up as bad .

[C Ward]

Rough numbers for a 180 ELDM at 2950 is just over 2000 fps and 1650 ft lbs at 1k

[smchop]

Rough numbers for a 180 ELDM at 2950 is just over 2000 fps and 1650 ft lbs at 1k

We’re still talking SAUm or WSM correct? Or straight 7 mag? Thanks