country_boy
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smolt
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Reged: 07/19/03
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Loc: Nanaimo, BC Canada
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If you had your choice between the two which one would you pick and why ? My biggest concern with the .300 WSM is the lack of factory ammo available, haven't seen brass available for the handloaders either. Also, won't the .300 WSM kick more than the .300 Win Mag ? Seeing how the .300 WSM has a shorter barrel than the .300 Win Mag. What gun, caliber, bullet are you using ?  
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buxndux
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Extremely Sensitive Mod
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I would pick the short mag. I like the trajectory better. They tend to shoot a lot faster and flatter. I have a buddy who bought the .270 WSM and he loves it. He claims there is lots of brass available for it. As they become more popular, you will find more and more factory loads for them (if that is what you really want to shoot).
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KingFisher85
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110% Cracker
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Reged: 01/29/03
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Loc: Clark
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If I was gonna shoot nothing but factory loads the 300 win mag would be what I would get.
But if I was good at reloading then the 300 WSM would be on my list of things to get 
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Keep it simple
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Stadle
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steelie
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Reged: 07/23/01
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Loc: Greater Seattle
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Ballistically the will perform almost identical. The research I have done shows that out of a rifle with a 24" barrell the 300 WSM will push a 180 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,970 and the same bullet with the 300 Win Mag will have a muzzle velocity of 2,960. The advantage seems to be touted to be in recoil. But further investigation on my part shows a reduction in recoil of only about 10%. Using a rifle that weighs 8lbs the 300 WSM produces 23.8 foot pounds of recoils with a 180 grain bullet, while the 300 Win Mag produces 26 foot pounds of recoil. For comparison purposes a 270 Win with an 8lb rifle and 150 grain bullet produces around 17 foot pounds of recoil. Maybe the drop from 23 to 26 is a big difference, but my guess is that it is not all big of a drop off.
Right now the big question is will the 300 WSM or the 300 Remington Ultra Mag be the new 300 to make it down the pike. One of the two will end up like the 8mm did and be a gun that may not be worth owning. So, in my opinion if you have alot of money and are willing to take a risk that the round will be here in a few years get the 300WSM. Even if you handload good brass may be difficult to find and you can only use brass so many times before it needs to be trashed. The safe bet is to go with the 300 Win Mag as performance is the same as far as flat trajectory and it seems that the reduction in recoil is not all that great. Ammo for this round is readily avialable, hell you can get factory ammo loaded with the Barnes X for this round - best big game bullet out there solid big animal killing round.
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BobK
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Thick Tail
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Loc: Upstate NY, Lake Ontario Tribs
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If it were me, and depending on use, I'd probably go with the .300 WSM. The reason is that with the short action, it will be a lighter gun - only a couple of ounces, to be sure, but if you climb many mountains, the weight savings will add up to a less tired hunter, and better shooting from the less tired hunter.
BobK
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Drifterat
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Jig Junkie
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I too would go with the short magnum. Brass is availible, I just checked a couple of catalogs and they both sell it. Short action = lighter rifle. I handload so I wouldn't consider the lack of factory ammo to be a concern.
Shorter barrel, smaller action, less weight, same ballistics, less recoil and last but not least it's "cool" factor would be enough to convice me to buy it... 
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JimW
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Duck freek
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Reged: 09/15/03
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Loc: port orchard WA
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If you shoot as much as I don’t get the short (two to three times a month or more)
The barrels are wearing out call some gunsmiths and they will give you the low down on the guns problems as for what I use it varies on how I feel 6.5 x 55 Swedish to 270 to 7mm MAG
AIX
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In memory of Floyd M. Wright; Nov 3 1925 - Oct 8 2007. you were the greatest, I love you Dad.
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SeanD
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chum
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Loc: Tigard, OR
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Id probably opt for a 30-06:)
Seriously, the difference between the 300 WSM and 300 win mag is very small, at least in factory form. The reason is at the factory they load the 300 WSM to higher pressures with less powder to get the same velocity. Less powder weight means less recoil, but its not a fair comparison if they arent loaded to the same pressures. If you handload both to the same pressure, the 300 win mag absolutly WILL have a higher velocity. More case capacity. My 300 win mag handloads clock at 3100 fps with 180 partitions. Quite a difference.
A shorter barrel will not recoil more, a longer barrel will because the velocity is higher. Id get whatever appeals to you. The game will never know the difference.
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KingFisher85
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110% Cracker
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A shorter barrel, ligher the gun.....Less recoil???? What?
I don't know about that.....
Most the time a longer barrel means a heaver gun. So that means less recoil. Short barrel guns most the time are lighter, so there your gonna have more of a heavy recoil.
If you want speed hear, get your self a 16 inch barrel. When they measure max velocity, (this has been proven) you will get the max velocity out of a 16 inch barrel. The longer the barrel the more stable the bullet is gonna be coming out of that barrel.
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Keep it simple
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Stadle
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steelie
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Quote:
Drifterat said:
I too would go with the short magnum. Brass is availible, I just checked a couple of catalogs and they both sell it. Short action = lighter rifle. I handload so I wouldn't consider the lack of factory ammo to be a concern.
Shorter barrel, smaller action, less weight, same ballistics, less recoil and last but not least it's "cool" factor would be enough to convice me to buy it...
You do not get the same ballistics with a shorter barrell. Shorter barrell = less velocity. The WSM needs a longer barrell to burn properly. Not sure why people are saying it is lighter. All the guns I have seen are the same weight in either the 300WSM or 300 Win Mag. Winchester has 24" barrells on all models that offer 300WSM which is also true with the 300 Win Mag. Browning offers 23" barrell in the 300 WSM but the 2970 FPS out of the barrell was done in a test barrell of 24" this number would decrease, along with recoil, in 23" barrell.
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did you see that??
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Drifterat
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Jig Junkie
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I stand corrected 
But you really shouldn't listen to me as I hunt with a 30/06 and a .44 Mag...
I like the heavy slow bullets  My next rifle will be a Marlin 1895GS
Hunting only the timber of Western Washington I've not really seen the need for a long range flat shooting firearm. I've personally never shot an animal that was more than 125 yards away.
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SeanD
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chum
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Loc: Tigard, OR
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This is true, a lighter rifle will recoil more, and a faster one will recoil more, so i guess we have to say it depends on weight. I assumed they weighed the same. Honestly the difference in weight by cutting off a couple inches of barrel is very small.
About the 16 inch barrels being optimum for max velocities, that is for 22 rimfires. For rifles, barrels up to and beyond 30" increase velocity. Benchrest guys like shorter barrels because they are more accurate... shorter barrels are stiffer and deflect less. I dont think a couple inches difference either way makes much practical difference in a hunting rifle, it comes down to personal preference. Some guys like the way the 26" tubes feel when they shoot offhand. My 30-06 is cut at 20"
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imanate
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dual red striper
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Loc: Lenoir, NC
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I picked up a model 70 super shadow in the 300wsm, been really happy with it. Shoots good groups, carries well, I love the recoil pad that comes from the factory, and the new reloading manuals have good data for it with bullet wts from 110-220grs. Just starting to load for it so I don't have any advice on that yet. Winchester and Federal make factory ammo for it, but its high priced (25-35$/box)so I'd definitely reccomend reloading for it. Most of the major reloading suppliers have brass and such for it. Here in the east they are selling well, not sure out in the western half of the country.
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Long Distance Seat Whore!
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Scotty O
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4 salt
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Reged: 11/19/02
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Loc: Redmond,Wa.
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I already have an .300Win and a .30-06Spr. so I don't see the need for the short in .30cal but...bein a handloader and a gun-slut,a 7WSM-custom will be twisted up as soon as I find a good action...Keep me posted on your decision,send me a PM!!!love to chat with you!!! Scotty O. out
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Kofflerkid
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3 salt
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Loc: Washington
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I have a Shorty and I love it... The first time I picked it up after hunting season, which was a year plus later I center punched a a clay pigeon at 200 yards. (mostly luck but I still love the gun)
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The only easy day was yesterday!!
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Moochin'
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Jack
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Loc: Wa.
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I wouldn't be concerned with a perceived lack of factory ammo for a .300WSM. As of this January,there are at least 15 different factory loads for the .300WSM. They range from 150s,165s,to 180s. You can get Ballistic tips,Partitions,Fail safes,Barnes Triple shock X-bullets,Trophy Bondeds,Accubonds,Grand Slams,Nosler solid bases and more. The short mags are here to stay. 
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Black_Ghost
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 06/13/03
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Loc: Western GLs
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Hmm I see Bobk is hanging out in the Hunting forumns here must be trying to avoid me in the fly fishing section. LOL
Maybe I should dust off my hunting knowledge and jump in over here ? I will think about it.
Hey fellows Bobk's an expert on this shooting stuff, no kidding so listen up.
 
BG
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"The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool."
Jane Wagner
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