I wish the 300 WSM would get it's relaunch (300 PRC 2?) Every caliber got remade but the 30 cal...

[Macchina]

My first rifle was a 300 Win Mag. It was a lightweight Winchester Model 70 and gave me scope eye the first time I shot it. I liked that rifle but it was way too much for my 140 pound frame. I also hate belted cartridges with a passion.

When the WSM craze hit, I stupidly traded the 300 Win Mag for a 243 WSSM! I was luckily able to sell it for a profit when the writing was on the wall for the WSSM lineup.

It seems in recent years every bullet diameter got an upgrade (many for 6mm, 6.5mm, and 7mm, even 270 got a few new cartridges) but 30 caliber only got the 300 PRC! Not only is it more powerful than the 300 Win Mag, it also managed to be longer in a time when everyone is going short. It might be fine for some but it's too much for my Eastern hunting with the occasional Western hunt.

I have been tempted to just get a 300 WSM many times in the past decade but rifles are hard to come by and the nail in it's coffin will most likely be a new short action 30 caliber. I keep waiting for it to be released but every year ticks by and still no dice. Out of the 30 or so bolt-action cartridges released in the last decade the only 30 cal seems to be the 300 PRC.

If you look at cartridges like the 7 PRC and 6 Creedmor, they are ballistic twins to the 7mm Rem Mag and 243 Win but with better chambers, case designs, and twist rates. There was a 7mm WSM and 270 WSM, but that didn't stop the 7 PRC or 6.8 Western. Maybe the lingering 300 WSM is just popular enough to prevent the release of an updated version?

I'll quietly wait my time with my 30-06 shooting 180gr bullets at 2810 FPS, but a new short action shooting 180's at 3000 FPS sure would be sweet. I know the 30-06 is exactly what I want/need but the idea of a new short round with updated chamber tolerances and twist rate keeps me hoping for a 30 cal in that sweet spot.

 

[hereinaz]

There would be little improvement over the .308, so very unlikely in that size short action. And, the trend is to modernize with longer high BC bullets. In the 308 caliber that goes to the PRC sized case. Long 308 bullets make OAL an issue, so the case would have to be shorter than the WSM as a practical matter.

Anyone who isn’t named Hornady seems to release niche cartridges, and I don’t see a 308 of any kind in short action coming.

I think the WSM is gonna be it, and I think it will hold its niche.

 

[43.6N]

It’s because the 35 degree shoulder was ahead of its time. It already has all the geometry correct. Compare it to the 6GT or the 6.5 Creedmoor. It’s literally the magnum bolt face version.

In all seriousness, it (and the 284 win) was the mach chamber geometry prototype before Creedmoor, PRC, Dasher, and GT cases came into public focus. And it has the long range records to back it up. When it came out everybody was chasing speed not efficiency. Now BC, heavy bullets, and efficiency is how modern cartridges are judged.

I’ve sold off my last 300wsm.
But if I ever get back into the 30 cal game, it’s going to be the 300wsm in a long action, appropriately throated for 220-240gr bergers.

Manson already has a reamer spec for the ideal “modern” 300wsm. It’s the F-Open 300wsm. Really worth a look if someone is considering a new barrel.

 

[D_Dubya]

3000fps for a 300wsm with 180’s is no big trick. Most are barreled with a 10 twist, not much to improve on without a faster twist and 200 grain plus bullets, but the gains aren’t much when compared to the increase in recoil. Not sure there is much consumer demand for something that kicks harder and does less than other current offerings.

 

[hereinaz]

3000fps for a 300wsm with 180’s is no big trick. Most are barreled with a 10 twist, not much to improve on without a faster twist and 200 grain plus bullets, but the gains aren’t much when compared to the increase in recoil. Not sure there is much consumer demand for something that kicks harder and does less than other current offerings.

Agreed. Gotta go 200 plus grain to be “modern” cartridges. With the 308 cal 180, no need to improve the WSM. The smaller calibers like 7mm with a 180, and 6.5 with 154 deliver higher BC bullets at velocity with higher BC and less recoil.

The trend with 300 has been PRC and Norma to modernize for long range.

 

[Kow]

Man, I'm right there with you. The 300 WSM was ahead of its time — efficient, accurate, and it punched way above its weight class. It's wild that in the era of 6.5s and 7 PRCs, the 30 cal short mag hasn't gotten its modern makeover. A "next-gen" 300 WSM with updated chamber specs, faster twist, and optimized for those 200+ grain bullets would absolutely turn heads.

I'll also say this thing has some bark to it. Got scope bite earlier this year on a follow-up shot on a cow. Totally unnecessary shot, but I was so distracted taking pictures a giant bull. Wish I had a bull tag.