300 WM or 300 WSM in a Tikka t3

[xrangerx]

I have decided that it is time for me to get a bolt gun that I can shoot too and do some hunting with. I've done a TON of research on calibers, rifles, scopes, etc. I've got the gun picked out, I am going with a Tikka t3 lite. It is in my budget, they have fantastic reviews, are lightweight, and shoot well out of the box.

That being said, I am not set on caliber. I am going with a .300win mag or a .300wsm but I need help deciding between the two. The Tikka makes this a little more interesting because all the actions are the same length, so the weight difference there is minimal.

Are these pros/cons correct in your guys' opinions?

300wsm: less powder, easier to reload(?), harder to find factory ammo (if needed), less recoil, longer barrel life, longer brass life, slower fps (marginal)

300 wm: Most likely there is more load data out there, larger cartridge, more popular, easier to find reloading components and factory ammo, slightly faster, belted (pro or con?).

With the weight savings regarding the action length taken out of the equation what would you guys go with? I am probably splitting hairs here, but I figured I would make sure I'm not missing anything.

 

[robtattoo]

In a 6lb rifle?
Nothing that ends with 'gnum'

 

[Blinginpse]

Better be tuff in that gun

 

[colonel00]

On a Tikka, as you state, there really isn't a benefit to a WSM as they have the same action so you don't have a shorter throw or less weight. I went with a .300WM Superlite and I love it. With a Swaro Z5 scope on it, I'm just over 7lbs, maybe 7lbs 2oz I think, unloaded and it shoots great and isn't as punishing as I had feared. I did put a Limbsaver pad on it.

Here is a link to my rig

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?28581-Tikka-T3-Ultralight-300WM-Finally-Built

 

[Yellowknife]

On a Tikka, as you state, there really isn't a benefit to a WSM as they have the same action so you don't have a shorter throw or less weight. url]

Not entirely true. The bolt stop is different, so the "throw" is shorter even if the action length is the same. I'd still get the standard WM though.

YK

 

[colonel00]

Thanks YK. I'd forgotten about the bolt stop.

 

[dotman]

The wsm is more expensive to shoot if you reload, freaking brass prices, the win mag brass from Norma is a third cheaper. Good luck finding any other brass. As far as factory ammo cost is about the same. I really like my 300wsm but if I hadn't gotten a smokin deal on it I probably would of went with a 300 win mag.

 

[Shrek]

With the short magazine length of the Tikka I'd go with the 300 wsm. You're not going to be able to use the extra case capacity of the 300 wm with any of the heavier and much more ballistically efficient bullets. I haven't played with a Tikka but if the magazine and bolt stop can be modified to allow the use of the full 3.40" available then you could really hop up a 300 wsm with some 215's and some slower powder. To get the performance out of a 300 wm in a Tikka you'd have to single feed it. Besides the magazine lenght issues I wouldn't want a really light rifle in anything heavier than a 300 wsm. You're very unlikely to shoot a rifle well that stomps the chit out of you when you pull the trigger.

 

[dotman]

I

With the short magazine length of the Tikka I'd go with the 300 wsm. You're not going to be able to use the extra case capacity of the 300 wm with any of the heavier and much more ballistically efficient bullets. I haven't played with a Tikka but if the magazine and bolt stop can be modified to allow the use of the full 3.40" available then you could really hop up a 300 wsm with some 215's and some slower powder. To get the performance out of a 300 wm in a Tikka you'd have to single feed it. Besides the magazine lenght issues I wouldn't want a really light rifle in anything heavier than a 300 wsm. You're very unlikely to shoot a rifle well that stomps the chit out of you when you pull the trigger.

That's a good point on mag length.

 

[xrangerx]

That is huge Shrek, thank you.

 

[colonel00]

Shrek, reload a box of 300WM for me and send them my way and I will let you know if they work or not

 

[striker3]

I just bought a .300wsm. Brass prices are RIDICULOUS! http://www.midwayusa.com/300-winchester-short-magnum/br?cid=9201 It was cheaper for me to buy factory ammo than just brass alone.

Probably going to sell it and get something more reasonable.

 

[Yellowknife]

A light weight gun with a 1:11 twist isn't likely the ideal setup for 215's regardless of mag length. And I'd verify that WSM cases will work in a long mag before you bought a WSM just for the long action.

For more typical mainstream loads and uses, the Tikka has plenty of mag length.

 

[hunting1]

Buy Nosler brass from SPS, it is Norma brass and it won't break the bank. All things considered my WSM runs about 100-FPS behind the WM until you get to the 200+grainers. I have several light rifles and agree, the 300WM in a 6.5 rifle is too much of a good thing....

 

[Justin Crossley]

With the short magazine length of the Tikka I'd go with the 300 wsm. You're not going to be able to use the extra case capacity of the 300 wm with any of the heavier and much more ballistically efficient bullets. I haven't played with a Tikka but if the magazine and bolt stop can be modified to allow the use of the full 3.40" available then you could really hop up a 300 wsm with some 215's and some slower powder. To get the performance out of a 300 wm in a Tikka you'd have to single feed it. Besides the magazine lenght issues I wouldn't want a really light rifle in anything heavier than a 300 wsm. You're very unlikely to shoot a rifle well that stomps the chit out of you when you pull the trigger.

You either have to modify the Tikka magazine or use an after market option if you want to load longer bullets in the Tikka T3 WSM. The standard magnum magazine isn't "wide" enough inside for the WSM case.

I've owned both calibers in a Tikka T3. I made my .300 win mag into a custom and sold the WSM.

If I was buying a factory rig, I would go with the .300 win mag.

 

[dotman]

Buy Nosler brass from SPS, it is Norma brass and it won't break the bank. All things considered my WSM runs about 100-FPS behind the WM until you get to the 200+grainers. I have several light rifles and agree, the 300WM in a 6.5 rifle is too much of a good thing....

Who is SPS? From what I have seen Norma is cheaper then Nosler. Cabelas wants $65 for 25ct of Nosler and $52 for 25ct Norma, cheapest I have found was 100ct of Norma for $185 shipped.

 

[bbrown]

Shooters Pro Shop - http://www.shootersproshop.com/

I have bought ammo from them several times - fair shipping costs and fast shipping. I bought "blemished" factory ammo for a couple of my rifles and the brass had finger prints was all that I could see. No dings, dents or miscoloration and everything shot great with very similar readings through the chrono.

 

[GKPrice]

You either have to modify the Tikka magazine or use an after market option if you want to load longer bullets in the Tikka T3 WSM. The standard magnum magazine isn't "wide" enough inside for the WSM case.

I've owned both calibers in a Tikka T3. I made my .300 win mag into a custom and sold the WSM.

If I was buying a factory rig, I would go with the .300 win mag.

I totally agree with Justin - I "had" a superlight in 300 win mag (sold, I do stupid things all the time) that shot 200 Accubonds into 3/4" groups at 200 yards repeatedly and with a limbsaver pad it was not unpleasant at all to shoot, with a VX3 3.5x10x40mm it was quite easy to carry as well - I regret selling it and might very well replace it with another just like the first (on the recoil part, I,m now an "old guy" and not that big or a lover of kicking guns just to qualify - Also, I DON'T use brakes, even Richard Buss's muzzlemasters)

 

[HOT ROD]

I own the tikka t3 lite 300 wm. I agree with the others. About the mag length. I went with the 200 grain accubonds. And the 200 grain berger hybrid target. They are seated to mag length. So there is a lot of jump. But it shoots very good. Would of like to try the 215. But with the 1:11 twist. I doubt they would stabilize...

 

[xrangerx]

Thanks a ton for all the responses. Looks like 300wm is a slight leader