308 winchester or 300WSM ?
- Thread starter Rooster52
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Speeddmn
Active member
Same bullets come out of the barrels. Factory ammo in 308 is easier to find, 300 wsm costs more to reload and shoot. If barrel life is of concern, then choose the 308.
I have a 300 WSM and love it, I had a 308. Performance wise they both take game and if I do my part picking the correct projectile, the gun will do it's.
I have a 300 WSM and love it, I had a 308. Performance wise they both take game and if I do my part picking the correct projectile, the gun will do it's.
Bambistew
Well-known member
Have booth, and have taken a lot of game with each. For bigger animals (moose/elk), I grab the WSM, for everything else I'm happy with the 308. A long shot for me is 300 yards.
^^^ Similar response as mine.
I have both. I like both. Yet, I am most always toting my .308 Win. Can't say that would be the case for you, as your hunting might be different than mine.
jryoung
Well-known member
I had a WSM and really liked it. Since I shoot copper I would opt for the WSM and leverage the additional velocity.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
300WSM covers a lot of big game ground for me....also gave me a rationale to get a 7-08 just because.
MinnesotaHunter
Well-known member
I have become quite partial to JR's old WSM as well
It is definately a shooter. I shoot Federal 165grn Trophy Coppers out of it into pretty tight groups.From a practicality perspective, I do like the .308 for the ammo availability and milder recoil (which I believe breeds better shooters). On the contrary, if you are good with a bit more recoil with the WSM, it does give you a bit more punch on elk/moose/etc.
Bottom line, I think this is really just a personal decision. I am not sure either gives a definative edge for most game in the lower 48.
Ben Long
Well-known member
A friend of mine in the gun biz says that the 308 is "the original short mag." I grew up shooting a 30-06 but I'm a 308 convert. I'm not fond of noise and recoil or long barrels and rarely shoot beyond 250 yards, so the 308 is plenty gun for me.
sbhooper
Well-known member
If not hunting past reasonable ranges, then the .308 wins for cost of components/ammo, recoil etc. If you are one of the people that is into big bangs and like to get the snot beat out of you at the range, then the WSM is a great choice.
The .308 will allow you to be a better shot, due to lack of recoil. The quality of available bullets makes it deadly, even on bigger game.
I shoot 7 mags for elk and also own a .308. If I had not gotten into the 7 mags originally through a trade, I would take a .308 for all of my hunting.
The .308 will allow you to be a better shot, due to lack of recoil. The quality of available bullets makes it deadly, even on bigger game.
I shoot 7 mags for elk and also own a .308. If I had not gotten into the 7 mags originally through a trade, I would take a .308 for all of my hunting.
morley.tyler
Well-known member
I have no idea how many days in the woods I've carried a .308. Hundreds for sure. Antelope to Elk, it handles them all, and well. Ammo is everywhere, compact rifle, short bbl, low recoil. Admittedly, I am a bit of a devotee, as I have 6 different rifles chambered in it from a Model 88 Winchester to a Kimber 84 Montana. Easy decision for me.
shootbrownelk
Well-known member
I'd take my .308 over a WSM. Ammo and brass is cheaper. And you can't get a 300WSM in a AR-10.
I have both. The 300WSM took down my moose. The 308 is a fun little tack driver but the gun that stays in my truck and seems to always be right in the middle of what I want is my 30'06. I have been seriously debating selling off some of my other non .308 caliber guns and getting a nice '06 with some high end glass. Sorry I didn't help with your decision but by writing this out I've convinced myself that it's the right thing to do... Any chance your interested in a good condition Model 70 7MM WSM.
I have both and have done quite a bit of killing with both.
On deer, can't see going heavier than the .308/150gr. But when stuff like caribou, elk, moose and whatnot become the target- the .300WSM/180gr works better for me.
I shot my best caribou at 300 yards with the .308...worked, but I wished I'd had my .300, very badly.
On deer, can't see going heavier than the .308/150gr. But when stuff like caribou, elk, moose and whatnot become the target- the .300WSM/180gr works better for me.
I shot my best caribou at 300 yards with the .308...worked, but I wished I'd had my .300, very badly.
Altitude_Freak
New member
I always look at it like you won't ever be in the woods with your wsm thinking you wish you had your 308 instead...
belly-deep
Active member
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If your 308 is a Kimber Montana 84M, you'll wish it was in your hands eveytime you think about it.
old man
Active member
I have become quite partial to JR's old WSM as well
From a practicality perspective, I do like the .308 for the ammo availability and milder recoil (which I believe breeds better shooters). On the contrary, if you are good with a bit more recoil with the WSM, it does give you a bit more punch on elk/moose/etc.
Bottom line, I think this is really just a personal decision. I am not sure either gives a definative edge for most game in the lower 48.
As far as recoil goes', depends on riffle. my rugger 77 in 308 defiantly has twice the felt recoil as my sako 300 wm.
Altitude_Freak
New member
No, I don't like the feel of lightweight rifles. Over 12lbs with scope and bipod and have/will never complain.
mtmander
Active member
For hunting in the lower 48 states the .308 , for Canada , Alaska the 300wsm
