Quote Originally Posted by XC700116 View Post
Like C Ward said, go 7mm. And if you go with a WSM case, do it on a long action.

Pro's for WM/RM cases is magazines are easier to find/deal with if you're running a AI type magazine. WSM's require using 338 Lapua mags in a Long action and are 5 round only, if that's an issue for you. If not it's a moot point.

WSM/Saum advantage is not dealing with a belted case. Disadvantage is brass availability, but it can be found without much problems.

If doing a WSM and going 7mm DO NOT do a 7WSM, go 7/300WSM as it's a simple neck down from 300 WSM brass. The original 7WSM has a longer shoulder length and brass is nearly unobtainable and thereby needs to be made and fire formed from 300 WSM (or 270 or 325) whereas the 7/300, you just neck it down.

WSM's throated for a long action don't give up any performance to the WinMag/RemMag cases.

For example I have 2 rifles chambered in 7/300 WSM, my hunting rifle has a 26" barrel and I run 162's out of it at 3100 fps and change without breaking a sweat (I've run them up to 3200 but it's at the pressure limits for sure. (this one is a short action)

My ELR rig is the same chambering on a long action and throated to run 180 class bullets at full case capacity. It has a 30" barrel and runs 180 ELDM's with no pressure issues at 3150 fps. At our elevation it delivers a 180 ELDM at 2229 fps and 1985 ft/lbs @ 1000 yards. It goes transonic at 2550 yards. The only thing in a 30 cal and a standard magnum action that comes close is a 30 Nosler and it's not quite there.

For ballistics and energy on target the big 7's are very tough to beat. That said a 300 Norma is pretty impressive as well, but you're playing with Lapua mag actions in that case.
Great post. I’ve got a 300 WSM and at some point, want to rebarrel with a 26 or 28” Proof.


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