Are the "short magnums" dead?
08-28-2020, 07:36 AM
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Martin, TN
Posts: 854
Are the "short magnums" dead?
The Winchester Short Magnums (270, 7mm, 300, 325), the Winchester Super Short Magnums (223, 243, 25), the Remington Short Action Ultra Magnums (7mm, 300), and the Ruger Compact Magnums (300 and 338) were all the rage a while back. Now it seems like they've all but vanished from the ammo shelves and gun racks at the stores I visit. Well, before these current shortages hit, anyway. Are they fading into obscurity, or is there still a market for them?
08-28-2020, 08:18 AM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: IL
Posts: 6,575
.300 WSM is a clear winner and here to stay IMO.
150gr @3300 fps
in a 23-24" barrel that's a lot of gun in a handy package imo.
seems like there's quite a few guys that like the .270wsm as well, but to me I'd rather have the 300 w/150g around 3300fps than the 270, more popular more versatility imo.
I see some loads out there as well in the 200grs weight, high BC etc... but to me maybe if I had that particular need maybe I'd consider those, but to me the 150-165gr weights is where it shines.
speaking of dead short mags?
have you seen the 6.5 PRC? it's brand new! kind of, and I'd certainly rather have that than the 6.5 creed I'm pretty certain.
pretty certain the 6.5 PRC is based on the ruger compact magnum case too btw! RCM.
I could see a 7mm PRC being a great kinda short mag option coming down the pike as well. basically a 280ai or more performance in a short action...
also not a short mag, but weatherby's 6.5RPM I think in 7mm would be another .280ai but with even more performance.
I'm not sure of the fate of the 6.5 PRC,
but if you're considering a short mag, I'd strongly say the .300wsm is the one to get! and shoot 150/165gr bullets,if you need more magnum than that....then you're looking a full length mags that can shoot 180-250grs ...
150gr @3300 fps
in a 23-24" barrel that's a lot of gun in a handy package imo.
seems like there's quite a few guys that like the .270wsm as well, but to me I'd rather have the 300 w/150g around 3300fps than the 270, more popular more versatility imo.
I see some loads out there as well in the 200grs weight, high BC etc... but to me maybe if I had that particular need maybe I'd consider those, but to me the 150-165gr weights is where it shines.
speaking of dead short mags?
have you seen the 6.5 PRC? it's brand new! kind of, and I'd certainly rather have that than the 6.5 creed I'm pretty certain.
pretty certain the 6.5 PRC is based on the ruger compact magnum case too btw! RCM.
I could see a 7mm PRC being a great kinda short mag option coming down the pike as well. basically a 280ai or more performance in a short action...
also not a short mag, but weatherby's 6.5RPM I think in 7mm would be another .280ai but with even more performance.
I'm not sure of the fate of the 6.5 PRC,
but if you're considering a short mag, I'd strongly say the .300wsm is the one to get! and shoot 150/165gr bullets,if you need more magnum than that....then you're looking a full length mags that can shoot 180-250grs ...
08-28-2020, 08:25 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,780
The 300 WSM has a fairly large following. It fits somewhere between the great 30-06 and the powerful 300 WM, but most of the fellows that shoot them say they kick like a 30-06 and hit like the 300 WM. I have seen some accurate rifles chambered in the 300 WSM. My bet is that this one is here to stay.
I had a 270 WSM and found reasons to not keep it. It did not seem to have any practical advantages over the standard 270 and did not feed very smoothly. The 338 RCM looks like a useful hunting cartridge but I doubt that it will ever be a big seller.
I would not be surprised if all of the WSSM cartridges drift into obscurity, if they haven't already. Some of the short fat cartridges do not offer anything except feeding difficulties, but I am sure that somebody somewhere loves them.
I had a 270 WSM and found reasons to not keep it. It did not seem to have any practical advantages over the standard 270 and did not feed very smoothly. The 338 RCM looks like a useful hunting cartridge but I doubt that it will ever be a big seller.
I would not be surprised if all of the WSSM cartridges drift into obscurity, if they haven't already. Some of the short fat cartridges do not offer anything except feeding difficulties, but I am sure that somebody somewhere loves them.
08-28-2020, 09:16 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,902
Not at all.
But a lot of folks don’t realize how many short magnums there really are.
The 6.5 PRC is overtaking the 7 Rem mag as the favored hunting magnum, the Sherman Shorts are enjoying a wildcatters’ Renaissance, and lots of folks are shooting the WSM’s and RSAUM’s in long range tactical matches (not PRS/NRL, but team and tactical matches with slightly different formats and expectations). The Ruger Compact Magnums didn’t really take off - with the exception of the 6.5 PRC - but the availability of rifles and brass had a lot to do with that.
In general, the world isn’t hunting as much as it used to, so there’s less and less practical use every year for any magnum, and no short mag plays in ELR (where BIG magnums and super magnums have taken a firm new market foothold in the last 3 years), so the magnum market is small. But I can tell you, Seekins and Christensen have sold a buttload of 6.5 PRC’s in the last couple of years. It’s safe to say, I have seen more shooters with short magnums in the last 5 years than I had in the decade before that.
But a lot of folks don’t realize how many short magnums there really are.
The 6.5 PRC is overtaking the 7 Rem mag as the favored hunting magnum, the Sherman Shorts are enjoying a wildcatters’ Renaissance, and lots of folks are shooting the WSM’s and RSAUM’s in long range tactical matches (not PRS/NRL, but team and tactical matches with slightly different formats and expectations). The Ruger Compact Magnums didn’t really take off - with the exception of the 6.5 PRC - but the availability of rifles and brass had a lot to do with that.
In general, the world isn’t hunting as much as it used to, so there’s less and less practical use every year for any magnum, and no short mag plays in ELR (where BIG magnums and super magnums have taken a firm new market foothold in the last 3 years), so the magnum market is small. But I can tell you, Seekins and Christensen have sold a buttload of 6.5 PRC’s in the last couple of years. It’s safe to say, I have seen more shooters with short magnums in the last 5 years than I had in the decade before that.
08-28-2020, 01:03 PM
#6
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,745
I agree.Especially with the 270 and 300 WSM. These are great cartridges. I had a 325 WSM for a while and I really liked it. But not planning another elk hunt in my lifetime I decided to sell it. Now, go figure, I drew a PA elk tag! For some reason the US does not accept any of the 8mm caliber cartridges. I don't believe it may last too long and the same with the 7mm WSM.
11-03-2020, 05:56 AM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ****ifornia
Posts: 5,052
I just built a 338 RCM and my buddy did a 338 WSM...we'll see how they compare...
11-07-2020, 08:15 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,902
Someone must not think the concept of short action magnums is “dead,” as SAAMI just released specs for the 6.8 Westerner, a short magnum designed for heavy .277” dia bullets, presumably for long range hunting (as typical for the “Westerner” cartridges).
11-22-2020, 02:34 PM
#10
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Pa.
Posts: 502
I too thought they were dead and have read several years ago that some Rifle makers have dropped them in their lineup.Then low and behold the current issue(Dec.) of Fur Fish Game has a big write up on em. I think they are tryin to revive interest in em.
