300 WSM or 300 RUM

300ultramagshooter · 10-31-2009, 04:12 AM

Due to a slowdown at work I need to sell one of my rifles to help with paying bills so which one would you keep? Which ever one I keep it will be my only rifle.Also they both are Remington model 700 XCR's

Champlain Islander · 10-31-2009, 04:22 AM

Personally I would go with the 300wsm. Good for elk, moose and better for deer than the 300 RUM which is a cannon.

300ultramagshooter · 10-31-2009, 04:30 AM

The reason I'm leaning towards the 300 RUM is the Power Level ammo Remington now makes for it. The Power Level I is similar to a 30-06,Level II is similar to a 300 Win Mag or 300 WSM,and Level III is full power 300 RUM

Champlain Islander · 10-31-2009, 04:33 AM

Good point and one that I didn't consider. I wonder how the availability of factory ammo will be for the reduced power level version?

Ridge Runner · 10-31-2009, 05:01 AM

The power generated by the 300 RUM is not much advantage over the 300 WSM unless you shooting at 1000 yards, at those ranges you can't properly do it with a factory rifle anyway. I'd keep the wsm
RR

Champlain Islander · 10-31-2009, 05:12 AM

Looks to me after checking out a ballistics table that the full power RUM is quite a step up over 300 wsm.

Ridge Runner · 10-31-2009, 05:39 AM

yes but look into the charts deeper, 400 yards is max or beyond for most shooters, check the difference there both sighted dead on at 250 yds.
cal. vel. ret. energy trajectory

wsm 2265 2050 # -14.8
RUM 2495 2487 # -12.3

so all that power, and powder burnt amounts to 230 fps velocity, 430 ft/lbs of energy and 2.5" less drop at 400 yards.
Now meticulous handloading with a good high BC bullet in a rifle properly set up to do it would definately open the gap up much farther at 750-1200 yards but thats out of the relm of most shooters, Thats why I said and stand by the statement that for 99% of the shooters out there the 300 wsm, or even the old reliable 30/06 is a better rifle for they're uses. Unless you set a rifle up specificly for the purpose of shooting extended range, even the flattest shooting cartridges will max out at around 500 yards if using holdover.
RR

Champlain Islander · 10-31-2009, 07:04 AM

I understand what you are saying but comparing the two velosity and energy wise is a huge difference. You don't need to shoot 400 yds to see the difference. The 300 RUM over 300 wsm is a bigger gain than going from 30-06 to 300 wsm. As compared to the other .300 calibers the RUM is a monster with the exception of the 300 Weatherby. Dead is dead and certainly shot placement is most important. The vast majority of shots on big game such as elk are far less yardage than 400 yds. For those who insist on mags and subscribe to bigger is better the RUM certainly fits the bill. Personally speaking I like my Ruger 30-06 Ultra Lite. It is easy to carry and put down 2 elk this year without any question. Hell I can't even see 400 yards much less shoot at that distance....JK

New York Hunter · 10-31-2009, 09:38 AM

What are you going to use the rifle for? What will your max range be?

Josh Sorensen · 10-31-2009, 01:08 PM

Go with the RUM, you can alwasy download the rum to wsm ballistics and the RUM feeds much better than the wsm in a remington 700 action.