300wsm

[Berger]

Is there anybody shooting one.i would be intrested in what bullet powder combination your using.atb Berger

[dromia]

I suggest that you look up some published, pressure tested data and work your loads up from there.

Untested, internet recipes are not to be trusted.

What works in one rifle could be a disaster in another.

[Berger]

I suggest that you look up some published, pressure tested data and work your loads up from there.

Untested, internet recipes are not to be trusted.

What works in one rifle could be a disaster in another.

I wasn't looking for a recipe.i am just curious on what some are using.ive not got a 300wsm.just toying with the idea. Berger

[The Gun Pimp]

Is there anybody shooting one.i would be interested in what bullet powder combination your using.atb Berger

I built one a couple of years ago for F Open but without a brake (not permitted) it was a beast!

I was using 230gn Bergers at around 3000 fps. Honestly, I never used it in competition - fired about 30 rounds, got a good accurate load and that was it! I just wouldn't have enjoyed shooting it. I think the powder was RL25.

There are a couple of guys using them in F Open with good results. It's about the only thing that will out-shoot the 7mmWSM.

[Berger]

This cartridge seems quite harsh to fire then.I shoot a 284 win with 180gr hybrids but i use a brake.at a guess my rifle is around 6 kilos.that probaly would be unpleasant to shoot without a brake..is the 300wsm saami of has it a very long Freebore. What length is the Freebore. Thanks for replies and pm. Berger

[The Gun Pimp]

Reamer was spec'd for 230 Berger. Stick with the 284.

[Laurie]

This cartridge seems quite harsh to fire then.I shoot a 284 win with 180gr hybrids but i use a brake.at a guess my rifle is around 6 kilos.that probaly would be unpleasant to shoot without a brake..is the 300wsm saami of has it a very long Freebore. What length is the Freebore. Thanks for replies and pm. Berger

The SAAMI COAl is only 2.810-inches max for a case that's 2.100-inches length leaving 0.7-inches 'space' for bullet outside of the case-mouth and severely limiting bullet choice. That's because the 300WSM in factory form is a 'short-action hunting round' and is only listed in two bullet weights by SAAMI - 150gn at 3,300 fps and 180gn at 2,970 fps, both from a 24-inch industry spec barrel and with an MAP of 65,000 psi (so individual rounds may actually be as high as 67 or 68,000 psi).

PT&G lists its standard 300WSM reamer (print #317) as cutting 0.175" freebore (actually nil freebore if you define the 'leade' as the parallel section ahead of the taper from the case-neck bit of the chamber) which ties in with the SAAMI spec., but a match rifle set up for 200-230gn Hybrids needs a great deal more.

As The Gun Pimp says, the 300 (like the .300 Win Mag before it) has proven to be a bit of a beast in competition especially if muzzle brakes aren't allowed. Many F-Class competitors have decided the 200 or 215gn Hybrid provide a better ballistics-recoil compromise than the 230 which on the face of it seems the obvious bullet to use. Those who shoot the 230 usually keep MVs down to between 2,850 and 2,950 fps - it's capable of much more. Even then and given an allowed 10kg (22lb) rifle weight in F-Class, most users say that getting the 300WSM to shoot really well in long-range F involves a lengthy learning curve involving immaculate rifle / rests / bags set-up and a return to examination of basic prone position and gun handling techniques. It's not just the considerable recoil, it's the equally considerable torque.

Another thing worth knowing coming out of actual experience is that the SAAMI 1 in 10-inch barrel twist pitch whilst fine for a typical 180gn sporting bullet is just a bit lacking for the 215 and 230gn Hybrids. 1 in 9-inches or even a bit 'faster' is needed to get the full long-range BC out of these bullets and complete consistency.

I have seen the WSM perform well in factory form as a GP sporting / range rifle. I knew a fellow with a Tikka T3 heavy-barrel stainless job that with a large moderator shot really well on the ranges with 185gn handloads. Barrel and moderator heating were major issues though, and it was traded back to the gunshop with around 1,000 rounds through it - and I suspect very little remaining barrel accuracy life. However, whilst this short magnum makes a lot of sense in a hunter's elk or moose rifle, why choose a cartridge that burns 70 odd grains of powder to push a 185gn Juggernaut out on the ranges at no higher (or maybe a little higher) MVs than a 30-32 inch barrel custom FTR rifle in 308 Win given the barrel life and heat; recoil/torque issues.

[Berger]

Thanks GP and Laurie.
It's sounds like the 300wsm is a more recoil than necessary.it must be getting close too 338 lapua magnums recoil.ive probaly fire 50 or 60 shots on a 338 and they are quite punchy.i do still like the idea of one but it sounds like it needs to be a heavy ish set up to be more pleasant to use. Berger

[hobbesy]

I've just bought myself a 300WSM in a Browning A-bolt. Haven't had the chance to take it out and zero it yet, heard some stories about the recoil so should be a laugh first time out.

[Berger]

Just had another thought.would you have a tight neck on the 300wsm for f class.