Is the 300 WSM still a viable choice of caliber?

[Luke_with_a_lab]

Im hoping to hear peoples thoughts on the 300 WSM and if it still would be a worth while rifle purchase, especially now that there are cartridges like the 7 prc, 7 saum 300 prc etc.

I am working on having a custom rifle built. The intention is for backcountry hunting primarily. As it stands now I'm paralyzed by what caliber to go with. Currently am looking at a 300 WSM for the build as I could go short action as well as a little bit shorter barrel to make hiking around in the mountains easier. I like everything about the 300 WSM except its performance as it starts to get over 600 yards as it relates to elk hunting. I'm not saying I want to hunt elk over 600 yards but I would like to know if I had to take a longer shot the cartridge would have the ability to do so. Lastly would be wind drift. How would a person expect the 300 WSM wind drift to be in comparison to some of the calibers listed above?

So if anyone has any thoughts on this It would be much appreciated

 

[brockel]

The 300 wsm isn’t a bad choice. All just depends on your bullet choice for your long range shooting and wind drift

 

[Addicting]

I am going to build one for those very reasons.

 

[Luke_with_a_lab]

The 300 wsm isn’t a bad choice. All just depends on your bullet choice for your long range shooting and wind drift

I would probably be looking at factory ammo such as the Nosler Accubond long range 190 grain as long as the gun would group with them. If I'm looking at it correctly those should still expand well at lower velocities. According to the Nosler data it shows at 600 yards the energy fps to be 1699, 700 yards - 1489, 800 yards -1299. I may reload at some point in the future but currently its not something I'm able to do.

 

[MaddH]

I would probably be looking at factory ammo such as the Nosler Accubond long range 190 grain as long as the gun would group with them. If I'm looking at it correctly those should still expand well at lower velocities. According to the Nosler data it shows at 600 yards the energy fps to be 1699, 700 yards - 1489, 800 yards -1299. I may reload at some point in the future but currently its not something I'm able to do.

I hate Accubond LR. Shot the 175gr in my28 Nosler and they wouldn’t expand on shots 250-350 yds. Left pencil size holes. I would look elsewhere

 

[Rzrbck918]

I didn't build one but I do have one I purchased. I like the WSMs I have both the 270 and the 300 and both have taken elk at approximately 400 yards. I have shot plates at 800 yards but I'm not good enough to do that on an animal in hunting conditions. I think there is still ammo available without reloading but it is not easy to find in most stores. I end up buying it from gunbroker mostly. There are certainly calibers with some better bullet options available but I've never had complaints on what I've been able to purchase and use.

 

[Luke_with_a_lab]

I hate Accubond LR. Shot the 175gr in my28 Nosler and they wouldn’t expand on shots 250-350 yds. Left pencil size holes. I would look elsewhere

What would you suggest instead? Interestingly Ive had nothing but great results with the Accubond LR out of my 6.5 PRC

 

[jimh406]

I'm not sure what you are seeing that says a 300 WSM isn't in the ball park with most other rounds depending on bullet at 600 yds. I also don't know if you've shot bigger magnums or not. The kick is more when you go to larger bullets and more speed.

Assuming you've picked a builder, I'd go with their recommendations. If the builder says 300 WSM is good, go ahead. Also, consider a brake or suppressor and their affect on what barrel length you want to carry.

Everything is a tradeoff.

 

[mtmuley]

What would you suggest instead? Interestingly Ive had nothing but great results with the Accubond LR out of my 6.5 PRC

I had one come apart on a bull at about 80 yards. 210 at 3150. The regular Accubond is a better bullet. mtmuley

 

[fishing4sanity]

If you are not reloading, I'd stay away from the 7SAUM just because of availability of factory ammo. That said, I love my 7SAUM and 175 AccuBond LRs. If you like the opinions of your gun builder over strangers on the internet, I'd listen to him. I'd suggest the 7PRC or 300WSM if you're not reloading, but I don't own either one. My most used rifle is a 300RUM and AccuBonds.

 

[Keep on]

.284 or .264 is going to hold energy better out past 500 yds. There's a reason everyone loves B.C.
However, 500 yards is a he'll of a poke at a live animal, 600 is past what I'll shoot. If you really think 600+ yard shots are in the cards, there are better calibers, I would however say that probably 95%+ of all hunting shots are well under 500 yards.
Up to you how important energy and velocity at 600 yards. Inside 500, 300 WSM is as good as most and better than many.

 

[Misguided]

300 wsm is my go to elk cartridge. 165 ttsx @ 3200 rocks their world. Haven’t had to shoot beyond 400 yds or be too concerned about wind drift though.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

What would you suggest instead? Interestingly Ive had nothing but great results with the Accubond LR out of my 6.5 PRC

What are you looking to gain over your 6.5 PRC? Because you're probably not going to find much beyond more recoil and less available/more expensive factory ammo in 300 WSM.

If you're comparing factory nosler 142 LRAB in PRC vs 190 LRAB in 300 wsm - they have near identical BC and muzzle velocity which means they should have near identical external ballistics. One of em is going to be easier to shoot though.

Regardless, i'm going to out on a limb and say 600 yd shots are high percentage wound/miss anyway.

 

[mdhunter]

All I have done for years is kill critters with a .300 WSM. Shiras Moose, multiple Elk, Deer...my experience is bang - flop. That round has been great but I will admit...I have never shot 600yds either.

 

[6mm Remington]

300 WSM using 180 gr. Nosler Accubond. I would not use the Accubond LR. I have not used the Accubond LR personally but have not heard very good things about them. The standard Accubonds on the other hand are fantastic. I have used them a lot and am quite pleased with them. I killed my Alaskan Arctic Grizzly Bear in 2019 with one 140 gr. Accubond out of my 280AI at 158 yards. One shot!

Broadside shot tight behind the right shoulder and exited out the left side behind the shoulder. Spun 180 degrees into the shot, did two somersaults, and was dead. Never moved.

 

[Luke_with_a_lab]

What are you looking to gain over your 6.5 PRC? Because you're probably not going to find much beyond more recoil and less available/more expensive factory ammo in 300 WSM.

If you're comparing factory nosler 142 LRAB in PRC vs 190 LRAB in 300 wsm - they have near identical BC and muzzle velocity which means they should have near identical external ballistics. One of em is going to be easier to shoot though.

Regardless, i'm going to out on a limb and say 600 yd shots are high percentage wound/miss anyway.

Basically looking to build a rifle that I can trust a bit more on elk than the 6.5 PRC. In the last few years myself and a few friends have taken quite a few elk with the 6.5 PRC. It does the job but not in the same way as elk Ive seen taken with a 300 Win Mag. Originally had thought 300 Win Mag but then started looking at the 300 WSM because it's a short action and you can put a shorter barrel on it than a 300 Win Mag while still using the .30 caliber bullet. Secondly, being to put suppressor on it and not have total length of the gun be overly long.

In my opinion 600 yards is a doable shot in relatively calm wind conditions for a person that shoots quite a bit. I pretty regularly am practicing on steel out 1000 yards. In the last few years I have seen two mountain goat taken in one shot, one at 630 and one at 700 +/-, a bull elk killed in one shot at 728 and multiple mule deer taken in one shot ranging from 325-800 yards. Now none of those animals were taken by me, luckily I have not had to shoot that far for any of my animals. Again, that does show me that longer shots are quite doable in the right conditions. One of the areas we frequently hunt is an area with very steep canyons, where a person would likely only have 2 types of shots on an elk, the first being under 100 yards or secondly across a canyon... roughly 400-600 yards on average. Trying to identify the caliber to best fit this specific area particularly. Ideally the gun wouldn't be super super high in recoil however if it had to be a suppressor would reduce recoil to some degree. Like others have said there is always a trade off.

 

[Addicting]

@Rzrbck918
@Misguided
@mdhunter
@6mm Remington

I sent my stuff to @p_ham this morning. He asked for a 300WSM dummy brass with a 175g LRX loaded up to get the throat set for me. Can any of you send me a piece of junk brass that I can use to make this up? I will gladly cover the cost via PM. Thanks

 

[Salmonchaser]

I’m with David and Mt. Muley. Hard to go wrong with the standard out of a 300wsm. Personally I think you’re giving up some case capacity if you go over the 180 accubonds but it’s not a deal breaker in my book. On elk I’ve been shooting the accubonds since they came out. 250gr,338/2950 at the muzzle. From 30 yards to 501 they worked just fine. Good luck with your build, I’m kinda convinced that the 300wsm would be my first choice if I could only have one big game rifle.

 

[MaddH]

What would you suggest instead? Interestingly Ive had nothing but great results with the Accubond LR out of my 6.5 PRC

I switched to Weatherby Select 163gr Hammers, so far I really like them

 

[millerkiller77]

@Rzrbck918
@Misguided
@mdhunter
@6mm Remington

I sent my stuff to @p_ham this morning. He asked for a 300WSM dummy brass with a 175g LRX loaded up to get the throat set for me. Can any of you send me a piece of junk brass that I can use to make this up? I will gladly cover the cost via PM. Thanks

Do you want a piece of brass that was fired out a chamber that was cut with that same reamer? I paid for that reamer on a 300wsm he did for me. I'll seat a 175lrx and mail it directly to him if it helps you