whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

I have a Winchester model 70 Featherweight .300WSM. Give me the Downlow on this gun, any downsides, upsides, opinions

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RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Exactly!!! I need to use those exact words to explain to my significant other why I had to have it!!!! I thought about having the trigger worked and maybe (pondered the thought) of a muzzle brake, but others have turned me against that idea. It can def REACH out and touch SOMETHING!!

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Before you break it, put a limbsaver on it. Then, buy 50 rounds of the cheapest ammo you can find. Take a 2x4, nail 4 inch nails all the way through it. Stick apples on the nails and place the board out 50 yds and let your SO shoot away. Then smile at her and tell her how much you love her shooting your gun.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

that is one moderate downside, CHEAP AMMO..lol. but man its worth it

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

I usually just shoot the Winchester ammo, the remington ammo it doesnt seem to shoot so well

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Hah, I meant $25/box vs $50/box. My gun actually like the cheap winny stuff. Once in a while I can get a box for under $25. Tell your SO you have got a great way to spend some quality time together and save money. Romantic winter nights spent snuggled up in front of your reloader!

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Sounds to me like a good reason to start reloading?? Or am I putting the cart in front of the horse??

And by the way you have a fantastic rifle that should last you a life time +++. The cartridge is all upside. There is no downside(except ammo cost), so buy yourself some dies and get started. Tom.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Any time you can get your SO involved w/ your hunting it is always a good thing. If they want to be your hunting partner, nothing wrong with that, if they decline, after you beg them, then they will usually be ok about your hobby. On a side note, although a 300WSM is expensive to shoot, factory ammunition is the same for 300WM. RUM, Weatherby and H&H is cost more to shoot.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

well as far as the SO, I have introduced her into bow hunting last year and she actually loved it. Its been a little hard making her understand she cant come home from class or work, throw on hunting cloths and out the door. Or the fact she has to spray some cover scent on, STINKY S*** as she calls it. I am in the process of looking for her a 243 so we can shoot together. Im actually a pretty lucky guy, as long as she dont outdo me...haha.

Reloading, I have really wanted to get into reloading. everytime i think of reloading, i always remember the ole TK & Mike videos of mike shooting one of TK's reloads.lol. I would like to get into it, but I dont think I can afford it or have room for any of the equipment, so i guess $30-50 boxes will have to cut it, but its worth it, cause I LOVE everything about the gun. Wouldnt hurt to get a better scope, but you can only do what you can do. I always thought I had made a good choice by purchasing this gun, and you all have def reassured me. I bought it to be a collector, but I just couldnt let it sit there. It was like having a lamborgini sitting in the garage and not driving it.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

I shot the 30-06 and all the 300 Magnums and now settled on the 308. Does the same job cheaper and with a bunch less recoil and muzzle blast but to each his own.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Does the same job? So does a 22lr, or even a Louisville slugger if you get close enough. But if you are talking ballistics, the 300WSM smokes the .308. Speed , energy, and wind drift, there is very little comparison. Expense, you are correct, the WSM is about 10-15 dollars more a box. I don’t care about that plus I am going to start reloading so that point it mute. Recoil is very debatable. I have an older browning 06 that kicks like a mule. My 300WSM is very pleasant to shoot, but it fits me. It may kick the crap out of someone else, but not me. I can shoot it all day, upside down in the rocks if I have too.

There is no doubt that a well place shots makes all the difference in the world, but if I have a 400 class bull walk out in front of me at 300 yds, I will thank the lord that I left my .308 at home. But to each there own.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Wow I don't mean to be a di@% here but if you can't hit a 400 class bull (and unless you are extremely lucky or very rich will never happen in your life time) at 300 yrds with a .308 there is no amount of ballistic out there that will make you a better shooter. confirmed kills in sniping with the 308 go way past 1,000 yrds. I think people need to step away from the computer and charts for a min. shoot your gun and find out what your gun will doa .308 in real world hunting will suprise the h&ll out of you. And again to each there own.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Hey a di@% is a di@% no matter how you look at it. I have been hunting as long or longer than you and understand the responsibility of a hunter and try to match my caliber with my game. Large calibers actually make you a worse shooter unless you have spent the time. I think my 300WSM kicks less than my 06, or .308, but that is beside the point. There is no doubt that someone with your expertise and marksmanship could handle a large elk at any distance. But we were not talking about you. Hey with enough bullets and someone to help you with your misses you may get lucky. Just a bit of education, the confirmed snipes at 1000+ yards was man sized game (humans), not thick skinned, thick boned animals like an elk. And I guarantee you they were not using factory ammo. So back to the thread at hand (300WSM not .308). Using factory ammo, the 300WSM is far superior than a .308, and I own both. I am sorry that you are surprised, but oh well. And for your record, I can afford a 400 class bull, relatively speaking its not that expensive, and I have max points and should draw in the next year or so.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

The reason I brought up 1000yrds shoots with the .308 was not for energy sake but you brought up balistics. The .308 can hit at that range with alot of practice. The .308 can kill an elk with no problem at 300 yrds. I was with a friend who guides here in utah, he wasguidingone of his friends daughters for her first elk. The elk she shot was at just over 125 yrds she shot it with her .243 (100gr factory load.) with one shoot it took maybe a dozen steps then fell over dead. /I waswith my dad when he shoot an elk at 400 yrds with his 30-06 ( 150gr sp) it droped right there. / I have a good friendwho went on a elk hunt with a guy from work and he had a limited entry tag. He shot a 320 bull at 170 yrds with a 300 ultra mag he shot it 2 times and it walked down a small gully andup the next hill. He shot again by now the bull was just over 200 yrds and after 2 more shots and the bull finally droped. 4 180 combined technology bullets from a 300 ultra mag which if you want to talk balistic beats the pants off the 300 wsm. All I mean and I think James B was trying to say is .308 will work with good shot placement.

Now as for your 400 class bull not being that expensive. Sure you have your bonus points and you might draw out. But the odds of you shooting a 400 class bull is very slim at best. My friend who guides just guided a guy who shot a 370 bull the guy was so greatful for a 370 bull he gave him his swarovski 10x42 EL's. With that said I hope you shoot a 400 class bull and prove me wrong youll have to post pics ifyou do.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

There is no doubt a .308 can kill an elk. What is frustrating is that this is a 300 WSM thread not a .308. It really bugs when someone with “caliber envy” has to pipe up into a conversation w/o any relative input other than “look what I can do”. In reading your dribble, why don’t your shoot a .243 instead of a .308. Apparently it can kill and elk and has less recoil, and in less money too shoot. What I would do is put your money where your mouth is.

dmitchell28 started this thread wanting a bit of input on the status of a 300wsm based on owners opinion. I really doubt he cares about your thoughts on a .308. Otherwise he would have changed the name of the thread to “.308 is so cool tell me why” As far as your friend who guides? So what. He got a $1500 pair of EL’s for a 370+ limited entry in Utah? I would be embarrassed and give them back or refund the money. Mt Dutton, which I consider to be 4th or 5th in Utah produces 370+ bulls if you got the time and the patience, and that’s 4th or 5th! Don’t try to impress me with your knowledge of bulls in Utah. I have been hunting/studying them for 22 years. I never once said that I would shoot a large bull, but if the opportunity arise, I would much rather have a .308, than a .243 like your last post suggested.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

First off my post never suggested the use of a .243 and I do not suffer from cartridge envy. I have had them alot of calibers and been reloading for years. And If you would be embarrassed and give back a pair of 1,800 dollar EL's why don't you go ahead and buy the governors tag and give doyle moss a call next year with all your money, give them back give me a break.

I don't even shoot a .308 this all started when you posted this -

Does the same job? So does a 22lr, or even a Louisville slugger if you get close enough. But if you are talking ballistics, the 300WSM smokes the .308. Speed , energy, and wind drift, there is very little comparison.

Well I am done with this post as I am sure you are to NHF.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

We are talking about ballistics at 300 yds. The 300 wsm carries alot more energy out there. Not taking anything away from the 308. There are alot of people out there that still use it. My 300 wsm shoots 6" high at 300 yds, and it is suppose to be 6" low at that range.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Name dropper!! Hah! Cant you come up with anything better than that! Please, now you are starting to get boring. I am glad you are done with this thread cause the dribble oozing from your keyboard has not made any sense. This thread was about some young chap who was excited about his gun, and wanted some input. Not from some wanna be who has a friend of a friend who was able to shoot a 370 elk. Let me tell you something, pal, if I was hunting a once-in-a-lifetime, which Utah almost is, I would definitely get a refund if my guide could only get me on a 370+ bull.

Governors tag! Thats rich, did mommy tell you that!

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

I know this is Funny, but I had forgot all about this thread and its been almost a whole year ago since i wrote it but if you guys are still on here and still reading all this. I want to tell you thanks for both of your good information on ballistics on both guns and everything. I put a little bit of thought into my gun before buying. I had heard great things about the 300WSM. but I was going to either get a .270 WSM or the .300WSM. cause we all know, no matter what is said, the .270 is probably one of the best guns you can buy. Its one caliber that you can litterally take anywhere and do anything with. But its like going out and buying a vehicle. You usually dont want to buy a ford f-150, if you know you can get a Ford F-150 Saleen. or a Dodge SRT-10, or a Chevy SS. (that should cover everyone). I have shot my rifle a little more now and I have actually taken it out and shot a box of shells at 300-600 yard shots, just messing around. Just offhand shooting, I was really surprised and excited of the outcome. It shot really smooth, really good for offhand long shots, and honestly after a box of shells, my arm wasnt killing me at all. So the kick or lack their of is good, the only downside is the BOOM. but hey, you buy them nice trucks, you go put flowmasters on it. LOL. So if anyone else is out here wanting to buy a .300wsm, it is a great bun and a good buy. you will be satisfied.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Hey dmitchell, I am still around making friends! Glad to see that you are happy with your 300WSM. Which make/model did you end up with? I dont give a crap what anyone says, I would much rather hit an elk with 2680 ft/lb at 200yds. than 1957ft/lb (.308) (based on factory fed premium, 180 gr). The felt recoil with my rifle(sako finnlight) is less than the browning .06 of my friends. I would suspect that is has a lot to do with stock design as well (palm swell and raised cheek).

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

Hey man, Glad to see ya still around. I am more than happy with it. Im so happy I actually just sold my .270. The only thing I dont like is the price of shells but everything else is more than fantastic. It just seems like a mans gun...haha. I actually got a Winchester model 70 Featherweight. I havent put the scope I want on it yet, but I have a nice Bushnell 3-9X40 on it right now and its doing just fine. It actually doesnt have alot of kick to it at all, winchester puts a decelerator pad on their short mags and it helps and is very light. The absolute SMOOTHEST action I have ever used. I can go on and on about my rifle, but hey there cant really be anything wrong with that. .300WSM best gun ever!!!! Just out of the box perfection. I want to adjust the trigger on it, but Im afraid to even fool with. I was always taught, IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT. plus im not a gunsmith. If ya ever have any advice or opinions you have a BACKER here. You earned my friendship, and took my side.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

The Model 70 has a great reputation. All that you need is the 30.06 or a .308 and save yourself a bunch of money on ammo.

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

30.06 is the gun of everything and anywhere, BUT everyone has a 30.06 or a .308....300WSM says something lol. means your serious about killing something..haha. But no, after having this gun nothing else matters

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

I hunted with a .30-06 for 15 years. I then bought a .300WSM for a Colorado Mule deer trip and the .30-06 stayed in the safe. I actually sold the .30-06 this year. The .300WSM is a great round!

RE: whats the verdict on a .300WSM
 

The 300 WSM is a super version of a 308 and is one of the least temperamental cartridges out there and simple to reload for. I use a 308 for deer hunting and the 300 wsm for long distance shooting and hunting.