300 or 300 WSM

[Pushbutton2]

I finally decided on getting a 300 Win Mag.
Looking into some things to help tame the recoil. I'm not overly scared of it, just don't want to hate shooting it becoming a safe queen. Also if my lease buddies want to shoot it they can.
I was talking with my buddy who I was going to buy it from about the WSM rounds. He said that the 300 WSM is a better round, flatter trajectory and less recoil due to cartridge design.
I'm now back at square 50 in my search for an all around gun

Have any of you shot both and recommend a platform?

[lglidewell]

I've had both and I can tell you that the Remington 700 SPS 300 WSM with pencil barrel and Zeiss 3-9x40 shot 1000 times better than the TC Pro Hunter 300 Win Mag with Bushnell Elite 4-16x40 I owned. This is just my opinion and I'm not sure how to describe it, but the 300 WSM was a very manageable sharp recoil and it didn't bother me a bit to shoot it multiple times at the range. The 300 WM however, felt like I got slugged in the shoulder, kissed me twice over the 2 yrs I owned it (and kissed a friend VERY well ) AND the Pro Hunter weighed almost 2lbs more. That's the only 300 Win Mag I have shot, so maybe other models are more forgiving, but with the Limbsaver recoil pad on that 300 WM felt non-existant. My next big bore will be another 300 WSM for that reason unless I go custom.

[txhoghunter73]

300 rum

[Walding1989]

.300 weatherby with a break.

[snipermedic]

No real differnce ballisticly between 300wsm and 300wm under 180gr bullets. Unless you reload then the 300wm has more potentional. If you want noticible ballistic differnce then the 300rum or 30-378 way to go. Recoil is Probly differnt do to less powder faster powder in the wsm.

[jmac19]

.300 win mag

[AndyMane]

.300 win mag

This.

[Pushbutton2]

What's your thoughts on a Mossberg Patriot or Thompson Venture in 300 win mag?

[QACZ71]

The Savage long Range Hunter looks pretty promising. Comes in both calibers I think (I know it comes in the WSM). Has a brake to mitigate recoil and I've heard they're pretty accurate out of the box and they're around $900.

[Capt.Bryan]

Wsm will not be flatter trajectory. 300 wsm case capacity is 79 grains and 300 win mag capacity is 91 grains. Wsm velocities are just under 300 win mag with less powder so it runs more efficient due to cartridge design.

[Horitexan]

If recoil is a concern, drop down to a 6.5. Otherwise, pull on them big boy pants and go .300WM. If the rifle fits you, isn't ultra light, has a good butt pad and you throw a Triad stock pack on it (to get proper cheek weld and pad your cheek) you won't have any problem with recoil - assuming you're holding it snug to your shoulder. If you're worried about getting scope tracked, make sure you use one with generous eye relief.

If you want to reduce recoil further, install a brake or, better yet, a suppressor.

The recoil on a moderately heavy .300wm is not bad and recoil in general isn't much of an issue when you have good shooting form. I grew up shooting some really heavy dangerous game calibers (.375 H&H, .500 Nitro, etc) and they taught you REAL quick to snuggle up to that stock - especially on a double rifle with no recoil pad at all! Lol!

Good luck choosing!

[Drycreek3189]

I've owned and shot both, and I can tell you that I would not own another .300 Win Mag. I still own and shoot my Browning A Bolt in .300 WSM and the recoil ( out of a relatively light gun ) is no more than a 30/06. Can't say that about the Ruger No. 1 in .300 Win Mag that I had. It was a pounder. I shot it 17 times when sighting in the scope and once more killing a mule deer, put it up and sold it a few years later. Killed many deer, a few hogs, and one elk with the Short Mag, and the only thing I ever plan to do with it is, put a nice wooden stock on it at some point. And, I would not put a muzzle brake on any gun I own. I can't hear thunder now, and I want to keep what little hearing I have. Don't want to wear ear muffs while hunting either. That's my two cents.

Oh, I might mention that the Ruger No. 1 was a tack driver, so that's not the reason I sold it.

[greenshovel]

No real differnce ballisticly between 300wsm and 300wm under 180gr bullets. Unless you reload then the 300wm has more potentional. If you want noticible ballistic differnce then the 300rum or 30-378 way to go. Recoil is Probly differnt do to less powder faster powder in the wsm.

^ this!!

I've owned both and prefer the 300WM

[Seacoal]

Wsm will not be flatter trajectory. 300 wsm case capacity is 79 grains and 300 win mag capacity is 91 grains. Wsm velocities are just under 300 win mag with less powder so it runs more efficient due to cartridge design.

Relatively irrelevant. Your WSM can accept higher pressure. Finding someone loading 91 grains of a rifle powder into a 300 win is extremely, because your max out your pressure in the low 70's for most powder.
Unless of course you like having your bolt immovable and the potential for blowing your action up. Then go for it.

[160class]

Following, looking into the calibers too