I can to either one as I haven't had the rifle built but we have a 600, 800 and 1000 yard range and was wondering the pro's and con's. Could reload for both so that isn't too big of a problem. Thanks for your help
300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
- Thread starter garrett4
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Re: 300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
If you're only going to 1k at most and just punching paper or steel or light skinned big game I'd go with the 308 assuming thats the ONLY two choices.
I'm guessing that you're basing this on a short action.
If not, then look at the 30-06, since it will do the 300 WSM job but for less, and easy to find brass.
The 300 WSM suffers (I'm repeating what I've been told, not what I've experienced) from lacking brass sources and lower quality brass. This isn't the case with either the 308 or the 30-06.
If you're only going to 1k at most and just punching paper or steel or light skinned big game I'd go with the 308 assuming thats the ONLY two choices.
I'm guessing that you're basing this on a short action.
If not, then look at the 30-06, since it will do the 300 WSM job but for less, and easy to find brass.
The 300 WSM suffers (I'm repeating what I've been told, not what I've experienced) from lacking brass sources and lower quality brass. This isn't the case with either the 308 or the 30-06.
Re: 300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
I have both, and you really can't go wrong either way. But, if you can only have one, then for just shooting paper and steel, the 308 is the way to go. There is a wider selection of cheaper brass, and you can get surplus stuff to. If you plan to hunt at those longer ranges, the 300 wsm would be my choice.
I have both, and you really can't go wrong either way. But, if you can only have one, then for just shooting paper and steel, the 308 is the way to go. There is a wider selection of cheaper brass, and you can get surplus stuff to. If you plan to hunt at those longer ranges, the 300 wsm would be my choice.
Re: 300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
You certainly can accomplish your goal with both. 308 will be cheaper and you have a wider selection of brass, etc. However, 308 just isnt a great round past 800 or so. Yes, we all shoot it that far (and some people farther). I love my 308, but it would not be my first choice for shots at 1k....not even close. So, if most of your shooting is 600-800 I would say the 308 will do wonderfully with little recoil and (relatively) cheap components. It will be harder to shoot at 1k compared to other rounds, so you will have to be that much better at reading wind, etc. 300wsm will offer a little more room for error in windage and open up some more hunting options in larger game, but at a trade off of increased recoil, more expensive components, shorter barrel life, and loss of some magazine capacity (for AICS mags).
My initial thought is buy a 308....shoot the hell out of it, learn to read wind, and have fun. But its a tool, so pick the one which best fits your intended job.
Sean
You certainly can accomplish your goal with both. 308 will be cheaper and you have a wider selection of brass, etc. However, 308 just isnt a great round past 800 or so. Yes, we all shoot it that far (and some people farther). I love my 308, but it would not be my first choice for shots at 1k....not even close. So, if most of your shooting is 600-800 I would say the 308 will do wonderfully with little recoil and (relatively) cheap components. It will be harder to shoot at 1k compared to other rounds, so you will have to be that much better at reading wind, etc. 300wsm will offer a little more room for error in windage and open up some more hunting options in larger game, but at a trade off of increased recoil, more expensive components, shorter barrel life, and loss of some magazine capacity (for AICS mags).
My initial thought is buy a 308....shoot the hell out of it, learn to read wind, and have fun. But its a tool, so pick the one which best fits your intended job.
Sean
Re: 300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
If considering the WSM, remember there are mag length issues. Pretty serious ones actually. Hence the new mag boxes being put out for the WSM family.
If considering the WSM, remember there are mag length issues. Pretty serious ones actually. Hence the new mag boxes being put out for the WSM family.
Re: 300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
Depends on what you're using it for. If this is going to be the rifle you park all day at the range with I would recommend against it because it'll wear you out fast. Recoil is a bitch and you'll need a brake which will make an already loud round much louder.
If this is a SHTF gun you plan on defending yourself with then the 300 wsm will really shine at 1k-1.2k yards while the 308 will stop being practical. Then again, 308 ammo is everywhere.
Depends on what you're using it for. If this is going to be the rifle you park all day at the range with I would recommend against it because it'll wear you out fast. Recoil is a bitch and you'll need a brake which will make an already loud round much louder.
If this is a SHTF gun you plan on defending yourself with then the 300 wsm will really shine at 1k-1.2k yards while the 308 will stop being practical. Then again, 308 ammo is everywhere.
Re: 300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
First. The 300wsm is not suffering from low quality brass, Norma makes wsm brass that is really good. As for the mag issues, Glen Seekins took care of that problem with his new wsm dbm which will allow 3.165" internal OAL on a short action.
Having said that, I will never go .30cal anything. 7mm is where it's at! Go either 7mm/08 or 7WSM.
First. The 300wsm is not suffering from low quality brass, Norma makes wsm brass that is really good. As for the mag issues, Glen Seekins took care of that problem with his new wsm dbm which will allow 3.165" internal OAL on a short action.
Having said that, I will never go .30cal anything. 7mm is where it's at! Go either 7mm/08 or 7WSM.
Re: 300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
Consider also the 300 RSAUM. It's supposedly a slightly more efficient (7% less powder for same velocity) than the 300WSM.
http://www.6mmbr.com/7mm284.html
I say if you can find a range more than 600 yards, go for the short magnum. I plan on getting a 300 RSAUM over the 7mm for the extra barrel life (however much that is) and the heavier bullets. There's a couple of high end bullet makers that make true VLDs for .300 caliber and Berger's supposed to hop on soon too. Here's one from GS Custom:
http://www.gsgroup.co.za/308197SP204.html
I heard they got knocked for putting up untested BCs so .824 should be close to home.
Consider also the 300 RSAUM. It's supposedly a slightly more efficient (7% less powder for same velocity) than the 300WSM.
http://www.6mmbr.com/7mm284.html
I say if you can find a range more than 600 yards, go for the short magnum. I plan on getting a 300 RSAUM over the 7mm for the extra barrel life (however much that is) and the heavier bullets. There's a couple of high end bullet makers that make true VLDs for .300 caliber and Berger's supposed to hop on soon too. Here's one from GS Custom:
http://www.gsgroup.co.za/308197SP204.html
I heard they got knocked for putting up untested BCs so .824 should be close to home.
Re: 300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
I own & love both, but if I had to choose id go with the 308.
I own & love both, but if I had to choose id go with the 308.
Re: 300 wsm vs 308 for long range shooting
I also own both. I prefer the 308. Hunting, probably the WSM. The WSM has a bit of a punch for paper puching all day. But I am a little wimpy when it comes to recoil. After about 15 rounds, my accuracy goes down hill.
I also own both. I prefer the 308. Hunting, probably the WSM. The WSM has a bit of a punch for paper puching all day. But I am a little wimpy when it comes to recoil. After about 15 rounds, my accuracy goes down hill.
