.300wsm VS .300mag
Any difference in trajectory, knockdown power out to 300yds? Have a friend looking to purchase a rifle and wants to get the .300wsm, I told him to get the regular .300mag actioned rifle.
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The "regular" 300 Win Mag starts to shine after 300 yards. The pipsqueak shorties are left puffing in the dust after 500 yards, and then the momentum from the 200+ gr. bullet takes over to well past 800 yards.
I've shot 2 rifles in shorty calibers (243WSSM and 300wsm), and I'm not impressed with all the noise and flash. Accuracy seems to have taken a backseat in the design, and the jury's still out as far as barrel erosion.
If he needs a powerful cartridge to take animals with because he's not that good a shot; stick with the original. If he just wants a midrange to shoot at stuff with; try the shorties, or go with an ought-six.
"Qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit" --OVID0 -
Ballistic,
As far as my testing and the specifications put out by Winchester, there isn't a nickle's worth of difference between the two cartridges when loaded to comparable pressures. If I set my pressure ceiling to 62,000 PSI then both cartridges will run at about 3,000 FPS (+ or - a few FPS) @ the muzzle. This happens to be where my last accuracy node is before I go beyond the pressure limits as noted by SAAMI.
Now, not only math but common sense will tell you that if the same bullet is traveling at the same speed but out of two different cartridges then the exterior ballistics will be the same. In terms of physics, they HAVE to be the same. There can't be any difference in drop or velocity or energy because all of the parameters are the same. Loaded to the same velocity and pressure, these two cartridges shoot the same exterior ballistics. The slightly higher pressure level of the WSM doesn't give you any more of an advantage since it is so small.
The only time there can be a difference is when you have two different barrel lengths yielding two different velocities due to the length. But then you're changing the parameters and not comparing apples to apples.
If you are shooting factory ammunition then be sure to choose the correct load for the game that you are hunting. If you reload, concentrate on the accuracy towards the upper end but don't get carried away. Pick the best bullet for the game or job. Start low and work up slow.
And by the way, the only real difference is that I use 4 MORE grains of powder in the 300 Win. Mag. to achieve the same velocity at the same pressure when compared to the WSM. The throat erosion depends upon the neck/shoulder design and how the plasma is channeled into the throat and leade. The plasma temperature and the shape of the powder itself are the variables the have an affect on the throat erosion when the shoulders and neck are similar. Stick powders cause more erosion. Higher pressure causes more erosion. Those are facts.
I'll put up any of my 300's whether WSM's or Win. Mags. against any other rifles for accuracy. The cartridge is only one of the variables contributing to accuracy. The nut behind the butt is the biggest problem. Build or buy the best rifle that you can afford then get the best ammunition available also.
Best of luck!0 -
x-ring nononsense! They are virtually twins. One rifle is shorter,..and one is longer. If I were to buy a NEW rifle,..I may try the WSM,..but if I already had a 300win or came across a 300win first,.then I would grab it. You MAY be able to eek a tiny bit more out of the 300win with SLOW powders and heavy pills,..but a chronograph would have to be the one to tell you that. I will be rebarreling my 300RUM 1000yd rig to a WSM (probably) once the current throat is toasted.The current barrel will be set back, rechambered to 300RUM (again) and threaded for a sako691 action I have,..and used for LR hunting.
Either way,..I garantee your pard can't tell the difference of either caliber upon "whitetail decelleration"[8D]
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
There really isn't that much a differnce in the two as far as ballistics. The main advantage of the WSM's are the shorter barrel lenth, and also the short bolt throw. Someone earlier said that quote:Accuracy seems to have taken a backseat in the design Mine shoots bullet holes through bullet holes @200 yards consistently. If he perfers extra barrel lenth and a long bolt throw then get the 300mag, if he'd rather a shorter barrel and a short bolt throw then the 300wsm is for him. I like my wsm a lot and would recommend it. 
You are knuckle-dragging ape with a gun.0 -
Thanks for all the info folks. I'll print it out and let him make the decision.
But I guess me being the old fashioned type and he being in his early twenties, I would go with the regular .300win-mag or with the .300WBY-mag and would probalby choose the newer type bullet.0 -
Thanks for all the info folks. I'll print it out and let him make the decision.
But I guess me being the old fashioned type and he being in his early twenties, I would go with the regular .300win-mag or with the .300WBY-mag and would probalby choose the newer type bullet.0
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